The Area

Shinagawa and the much sought after residential areas of Takanawa, Gotanda and Shirokanedai are one of Tokyo's key hotel and transportation hubs. North of the busy Shinagawa Station, the exciting urban resort of Takanawa Prince Hotels is a complex of three first class hotels all arranged around a beautifully landscaped Japanese garden.

This is a district of embassies, hotels and major corporate offices such as Sony, Fujitsu, Motorola, Toshiba and Johnson & Johnson. Still you'll find some interesting places to visit either within short walking distance or by nearby subway.

Sightseeing Nearby

• Hara Bijutsukan - One of the best places to see cutting-edge contemporary art in Tokyo. The museum's cafe serves good food and you can dine in the garden during summertime. (15-minute walk from Shinagawa Station)
• Sengaku-ji - This famous temple known to every Japanese, contains the graves of the 47 ronin and their lord. (15 minutes north of Shinagawa Station)
• Tozen-ji - A lovely Zen temple tucked away on a quiet alley lined with willow trees. (5-minute walk from Sengaku-ji)
• Hatakeyama Memorial Museum - One of the best museum settings in Tokyo, this is a must-see for anyone seriously interested in the tea ceremony and its arts. (5-minute walk from the Takanawa Prince)
• Tei-en Museum - The only remaining Art Deco building in Tokyo, this museum is the former residence of Prince Asaka. Bring a picnic lunch and eat in the French and Japanese gardens. (5-minute walk from Meguro Station)

Day Trips

• Tsukiji Fish Market - Open from 4 a.m., Japan's largest fish market is a flurry of sights, sounds and smells. The 5 a.m. tuna auction is especially fun to watch. Also nearby are the Tsukiji Honganji Temple, Sumiyoshi Shrine and Tokyo Central Wholesale Market. (15 minutes by Hibaya subway line to Tsukiji Station)
• Ueno Park - Japan's first and largest public park is known for its boating ponds, temples, shrines and museums including the Tokyo National Museum. Adjacent is the Ueno Zoo, famous for the two giant pandas given by the People's Republic of China. (18 minutes by subway)
• Asakusa - On the banks of the Sumida River, Tokyo's "downtown" shopping district is a great place to buy inexpensive souvenirs. (25 minutes by subway)
• Tokyo Disneyland - As if Anaheim wasn't enough, kids of all ages will find lots to see and do in Mickey's Magic Kingdom. (40 minutes by train)
• Kamakura - One of Japan's most interesting cultural areas with 65 Buddhist temples and 19 Shinto shrines including the famous Great Buddha. (1 hour by train)

Shopping and Entertainment

• Roppongi - Famous for its nightlife, world and Japanese cuisine, Roppongi is a favorite place for Westerners to frequent. (15 minutes by car)
• Ginza - Those looking for large department stores, small exclusive boutiques and excellent restaurants can find them all right here. (8 minutes by subway)
• Shibuya - One of Tokyo's most trendy districts, Shibuya is known for its premiere fashion and design buildings - great for shopping. (11 minutes by JR line)
• Akihabara - Visitors come here to wheel and deal in discounted electronic products. (20 minutes by subway)
• Yuraku-Cho - Besides coming here for authentic ramen and soba, this shopping area is a good place to see movies and get tourist information. (10 minutes by subway)