The skyscrapered business district of Hamamatsucho sits on Tokyo Bay in the heart of the city. Amid this forest of tall buildings are attractive garden parks, shrines, temples, bars and restaurants, making it a popular visitor destination. Enjoy lofty views at night from one of the city's tallest buildings, see the graves of warriors and treat yourself to a mini-cruise on the water.
Start your neighborhood tour at the 1,093-feet (333-meter) Tokyo Tower, one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country. Take the elevator ride up to the main deck, which is 492 feet (150 meters) above the ground, or the 820-feet (250-meter) top deck. The views are spectacular at any time, but especially at night when the city is illuminated. Another reason to come after dark is the projection mapping experience on the main deck. Colorful video images are projected onto windows, overlapping with the night view.
At the base of the tower is Shiba Park, a delightful sprawl of trees and greenery that encompasses the Shiba Toshogu Shrine and its ginkgo tree, which was planted in 1641. Also inside the park is the Zojoji Temple, a Buddhist temple complex containing ornate 17th-century buildings and the graves of shoguns.
Relax in the business and commercial district's other green spaces. About a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) walk east of the tower is the Hamarikyu Gardens. Visit the teahouse in the middle of the pond for a cup of matcha tea. Another delightful open space is the Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Gardens. This beautiful park is flanked by skyscrapers and features a large pond with two islands.
Swap land for sea and embark on a cruise across Tokyo Bay. There are several on offer, including sunset cruises and dinner cruises.
At night, find a cozy spot in one of the izakaya bars, which serve drinks and grilled snacks. Try an Umeboshi Chuhai, an alcoholic drink with a salted and pickled plum at the bottom of the glass.
Get to Hamamatsucho by a 15-minute monorail ride from Tokyo International Airport. The district's train station is also connected to the city's rail network.