Roppongi is best known for sketchy nightlife, but it also offers a couple of provocative museums, a must-see art night, cherry blossoms from mid-March to mid-April, a fine display of koi nobori carp flags from mid-April to May 5th, and some of the best winter illuminations in Tokyo from late November through December.
Most visitors don’t think of going to Roppongi unless they’re keen on partying to excess, but it’s actually got a thriving arts scene and celebrates holidays throughout the year in entertaining style!
Leading the cultural charge, the Mori Museum curates exhibitions that often blur the line between art, design and fashion.
Hours: 10:00 – 22:00 (Last entry 21:30), Tuesdays: 10:00 – 17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
Open: Every day but closes early on Tuesdays
Admission: Adults: ¥1500, High school & college students: ¥1000, Children (4 – Middle school): ¥500
Once a year, the Mori sponsors an all-night, weekend-long event in and around Roppongi Hills, featuring emerging artists. Roppongi Art Night spans from traditional dance…
to international troupes blurring the lines between art and performance…
From audience participation art events…
to giant inflatable banana peels
It’s always lively, always fun, and always conversation-sparking!
For upcoming Roppongi Art Night dates and schedules, search “Roppongi Art Night” plus the year.
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On the other side of Roppongi, the National Art Center has no permanent collection, but hosts an eclectic mix of painting, sculpture, photography and performance art exhibits.
For the legendary artist Yayoi Kusama’s retrospective, they wrapped all the trees outside in her signature polka dots.
Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (Last entry 17:30)
Open: Every day except closed Tuesdays
Admission: Price varies by exhibition
Click here for exhibition schedule
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You wouldn’t think a neighborhood renowned as an urban playground would have much in the way of cherry blossoms, but think again!
Late March to early April
is when the lovely Mohri Garden dishes up the pinkness with both hands…
and lights them up at night with Tokyo Tower shining in the background.
And not to be outdone, Tokyo Midtown shines pink floodlights onto their parade of trees…
and the Hinokicho Park offers uncrowded paths and benches under the blooms…
all season long
And I shouldn’t be telling you this, but one of my favorite secret cherry blossom spots is a short walk away at Ark Hills. This quiet residential street is lit up at night and turns into a tunnel of cherry blossoms in the spring!
Mid-April to May5th
is when Tokyo Midtown sponsors an extensive koi nobori display, with the promenade outside 21_21 DesignSite fluttering with fish flags, each designed by a different artist!
These flags are different every year, and are a real feast for the eyes on a fine spring day!
November through December
is winter illuminations season in Roppongi, with two major installations well worth seeing. This classic winter view of Tokyo Tower is all along Keyakizaka, by Roppongi Hills…
and Tokyo Midtown always delights with an original animated light and music display all along the same walkways that hosted the fish flags in May.
Later in the year – from mid-November to mid-December – Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown put on truly jaw-dropping holiday light shows.
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And here are the other places I take my friends when they come to town
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
Jonelle Patrick writes about Japan 