Recommended places to eat, shop and visit

When traveling in Tokyo, visitors may quickly head to iconic neighborhoods with viral fame like Shinjuku or Shibuya. But if you stretch a little further, you’ll find some hidden gems.

Located in the heart of Tokyo, Akasaka blends traditional charm with modern sophistication. There are many unique and memorable shopping, dining, and sightseeing options here; it’s a business hub as well as an entertainment hub, with plenty of places to experience pop culture, not to mention plenty of elegant nightlife options. From creative cafes to impressive architecture and centuries-old shrines, Akasaka is filled with fascinating places just waiting to be explored. Here are some attractions to add to your Akasaka itinerary:

All characters and elements © & Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing rights © JKR. (s24)

Harry Potter Cafe

Enter the magical world Harry Potter Cafe. This is a special limited-time cafe inside Akasaka Biz Tower where you can enjoy delicious food inspired by the houses and characters of Hogwarts and purchase exclusive Harry Potter merchandise. Inspired by the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the café’s interior perfectly captures the wonder and whimsy of Hogwarts, with various picture frames hanging on the walls and an oversized wand hanging from the ceiling, extending To a beautiful light fixture that is reminiscent of candles floating inside. Movie.

The cafe’s menu also draws inspiration from the range’s British origins, with dishes such as Platform 9⁄4 Beans, Black Lake Fish and Chips and Hogwarts Sunday Roasts. No expense has been spared in the presentation of the selection of non-alcoholic cocktails. Each drink is named after a different spell and incantation taught in magic schools, and they resemble potions, complete with elaborate garnishes.

Harry Potter – The Wizarding Room

Just around the corner from the Harry Potter Cafe you’ll find Harry Potter – The Wizarding Room. Harry Potter – Mahou Dokoro, or “The Magic Dot,” is your one-stop shop for items that add a little magic to everyday life. Products include clothing, toys, stationery, household items, snacks, statues, books, etc.

The items here aren’t your typical gift shop souvenirs—many of them are exclusive to Harry Potter – Magic Cave, like the wand magnets from the “Blind Box (Surprise Box)” series, they are Inspired by Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy and more. Each wand comes with a mini poster as decoration. You can also buy cookie jar Based on the birthday cake Hagrid baked for Harry, and a stylish Harry Potter themed outfit. In addition to merchandise, the Harry Potter Wizarding Room also hosts a variety of events.

Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Villa

Toyokawa Inari Villa is a Buddhist temple that is said to bring happiness and health to those who pray there. Far from the concrete jungle of Tokyo, this shrine is a peaceful place away from the cityscape. Toyokawa Inari is famous for its red lanterns and hundreds of stone fox statues, which represent fertility, agriculture, industry and success. Inari foxes act as spirit messengers. Business owners often come to the temple to pray for a prosperous business and wealth, while expectant mothers pray for a safe delivery.

To participate in the prayers, it is recommended to first purify your heart and soul with the water of the temple. Wash your hands and mouth with a spoon. You can then bow gently, make an offering, and strike the gong in prayer. After the prayer is over, it ends with another bow.

Akasaka Rikyu Guesthouse

Just a short walk from Toyokawa Inari Akasaka Rikyu Guest House. The palace was originally built in 1909 for the Crown Prince of the Japanese Imperial Family. it was built in European neo-baroque stylewith gorgeous and beautifully designed reception areas and gardens. It is one of two royal residences belonging to the government and is now mainly used as accommodation for visiting state dignitaries. The palace has hosted numerous monarchs, presidents and prime ministers over the years.

For those who want a taste of royalty, Akasaka Imperial Palace is open to visitors year-round. The main building, Japanese-style annex and gardens are all accessible to the public via designated routes. Admission fees range from 300 yen to 2,000 yen, with discounts for students and children. Visitors to the Japanese annex are led by professional tour guides, while audio guides are available in the main building. Advance reservations can be made online and are on a first-come, first-served basis. After the tour, head to the Akasaka Palace Visitor Lounge, which has a cafe, gift shop, and seating area.

Fujifilm Photographic History Museum

this Fujifilm Photographic History Museum is a free museum and art gallery showcasing an extensive collection of cameras throughout history, celebrating the art of photography not only as an art form but also as a tool for historical documentation. Here you can learn about more than 190 years of photography history through the lenses of more than 100 classic cameras.

The collection includes Japan’s oldest “camera obscura,” an 18th-century optical device It was used to create drawings and later led to the invention of the camera. The exhibition also contains a replica of a kinora, a device that displayed a sequence of moving photographs and was an early precursor to the motion picture camera. Because it is a replica, guests are welcome to touch it and get an in-depth interactive experience of how photo and film technology has evolved over the years. The venue also houses an art gallery, showcasing the work of domestic and foreign photographers; exhibitions change frequently, always giving people a new experience.