Inspiring interior/exterior spaces

Ripping through Tokyo with time for only a quick visit to one place? Here are a few interior and exterior environments for laser focused time efficiency with tangible ROI.

TeamLab
Must-see multi-sensory immersive experiences.
TeamLab Borderless (Kamiyacho Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
TeamLab Planets (Shin-Toyosu Station on the New Transit Yurikamome Line or Toyosu Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)

Hamarikyu Gardens
Edo-period style public park and pond (Shiodome Station, on the Toei Oedo Line, website)

Not far from Ginza

Shibuya Station area
The area is undergoing a vast transformation, with multiple multi-purpose towers going up around and above the train station, while three million people use it daily. This highly complex engineering project provides unique views for anyone interested in urban planning, architecture, construction and wayfinding.

Also see Shibuya

Asakura House
100+ year old beautifully preserved Japanese house, a registered Important Cultural Property, on an exquisite chunk of land. Crazy low entrance fee and truly sublime. (Daikanyama Station, on the Tokyu Toyoko Line, website)

Not far from Shibuya

Hotel Okura lobby
Loved by so many that the owner agreed to recreate it when the original building was torn down and rebuilt. Also check out the exquisite Okura Museum opposite the hotel (Tameike Sanno Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza and Namboku Lines or Toranomon Station on the Ginza Line, website)

Meiji Shrine
Beautiful, peaceful shinto shrine located inside a huge forest that was planned and implemented roughly 100 years ago. If you visit on a weekend, you might get lucky and see the procession of a traditional Japanese wedding. Also have a look at the Meiji Jingu Museum, designed by Kengo Kuma, near the entrance. (Harakuju Station on the JR Yamanote Line or Meiji-jingumae/Harajaku Station on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line.)
Combine your visit with a stroll around Harajuku and Omotesando (our “Champs-Elysees”), which are in the same neighborhood.

Also see Meiji Shrine, Harajuku & Omotesando

Maisen
Fried pork cutlet restaurant inside an old public bath house. (Omotesando Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza, Hanzomon and Chiyoda Lines, website)

Also see Nature and retail therapy with a side of culture: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku & Omotesando

Nezu Museum
Stunning small traditional art and artifacts museum, with garden and cafe (Omotesando Station, website, map)

Also see Nature and retail therapy with a side of culture: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku & Omotesando

Miyashita Park
The geometry and multi-purpose aspects of Miyashita Park, with space to chill without buying something, make it one of the hottest spots in Tokyo at the moment. It’s a mix of high-end and trendy boutiques, slick restaurants and food court, gallery space, rooftop skateboard park and beach volleyball court, with a collection of eateries designed in traditional Japanese style on the ground floor. Website.

Also see Pulse of the Metropolis: Shibuya

Daikanyama T-Site
Large, exquisite book and magazine shop, gallery and cafe complex. T-Site combines clever usage of spaces with an interior that exudes urban oomph with calm and elegance. (Daikanyama Station, website)

Not far from Shibuya

Trunk Hotel
Beautifully designed lounge, bar and restaurant with a large, relaxing terrace. The essence of chill, Tokyo-style (Shibuya station, website)

Not far from Shibuya

Tofu Ukai
Exquisite traditional tofu restaurant in a 200-year old former sake brewery, nestled in gardens with carp pond. Requires a reservation and is expensive, but worth it. (Next to Tokyo Tower, Akabanebashi Station on the Oedo Line, website.)

Prefer to explore a neighborhood? Match your mood with these:

Nature and culture with a side of retail therapy: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku & Omotesando

Culture and retail therapy with a side of nature: Asakusa & Kappabashi

Retail therapy and culture, with extra concrete: Ginza

Pulse of the city: Shibuya

At/near Haneda Airport: Haneda & Tennozu Isle