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Tokyo Midtown
Completed in the summer of 2007, this urban renewal project in Roppongi, which also has the tallest building in Tokyo, opened as part of a complex that includes shops, restaurants, offices, residences and a luxury hotel.
This is the second such redevelopment in Roppongi—the first being the chic, very sleek Roppongi Hills—and both projects have helped to make this formerly seedy entertainment district into a more fashionable trendy area.
While both locations are good to visit, Tokyo Midtown is the more visitor-oriented of the two with a very sleek, yet accessible design—the buzzword is organic—and attracts crowds, particularly on the weekends.
On the 4th floor of the Garden Terrace in the Tokyo Midtown complex, the Suntory Art Museum is a popular attraction with its focus on the discovery of Japanese art and everyday life. The current exhibit, wa mode, has a number of exhibits from Edo era Japan like clothing, lacquerware, houseware, and paintings that have practical value but also reflect the sophistication and refinement as idealized in the past. Next to the Garden Terrace, is 2121 Design Sight, a modern exhibition space focused on contemporary styles in design and creativity. It often has exhibitions and installation work, and is popular with arts and media people.
There are plenty of shops, restaurants and bars, and while some are quite expensive many are reasonably priced. Check out the Muji store for all sorts of cool products for the home or office. And, the lower floor in the Garden Terrace has quite a few nice restaurants, some offering lunch for about 1,000 yen.
Tokyo Midtown is an excellent way to see a modern take on urban living and, while many redevelopment projects fail to live up to expectations, this one might just impress.