Top 10 places to visit in the Hiroo neighborhood of Tokyo
Hiroo is one the trendiest parts of central Tokyo, filled with gourmet restaurants, interesting cafes and shops, and places to walk around in and explore. It’s also a little more quiet than the famously maddening parts of the city, like Shibuya, Harajuku, or Shinjuku. Altogether, there is no neighborhood in Tokyo that is more pleasant for a nice “sanpo” (stroll) than Hiroo.
Let’s start with:
10. Hiro Walking Street
The main street of Hiroo, and one of the most fashionable thoroughfares in all of Tokyo, lined with everything from traditional storefronts to trendy modern cafés and shops, while still maintaining a calm, residential ambiance.
Hiroo Walking Street is a perfect place for a walk, especially when the weather is sunny and pleasant!
9. Canvas Tokyo
The next recommended spot is Canvas Tokyo, a cute café with a slightly foreign ambiance, as if just right here, you stepped into a different country. The interior is bright and cozy, perfect for a casual afternoon date.
One of the reasons this café is getting attention is the signature donut on top of coffee, with both the donut and coffee excellent and the combination perfect for Instagram. If you are tired of walking, this a nice place to take a break.
Information:
Location: 5-19-6 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: About 4 minutes on foot from Exit 2 of Hiroo Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
Business Hours: 10:00 ~ 19:30
8. Les Grands Arbres
The third on our list is “Les Grands Arbres”, (large tree in French). Conveniently located right next to Hiroo Station, this literal tree house is sure to get your attention. Popular as a TV drama location and with regular Tokyoites as well.
There is a flower shop on the first floor, and a café above, featuring a garden rooftop terrace unique in Tokyo. The café is an amazing place to spend a blissful late lunch on a sunny day, and lunch here is served until 15:30.
Information:
Location: 3F, 5-15-11 Minamiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047
Access: 1 minute from Exit 1 of Hiroo Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
Business Hours:
Monday to Saturday
Lunch Time: 11:00 to 15:30
Tea Time: 15:30 to 18:00
Dinner Time: 18:00 to 21:00
Sunday
11:00 to 19:00 (Lunch menu only)
7. Melting in the Mouth
Up next is a photogenic ice cream parlor popular on Japanese social media. If you go to Hiroo and have a sweet tooth, this is definitely one of the places you want to stop by.
The specialty here is soft-serve ice cream. Made from organic milk, the ice cream has a smooth mouthfeel and is very cute, making this place very popular with younger Japanese women and Instagrammers. We recommend the “Original” flavor.
Information:
Location: 5-17-10 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo MK Building 1st floor
Access: Hiroo Station, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
Business Hours: Open from 11:00 to 20:00
6. Day & Night
Our next recommendation is reminiscent of a downtown New York bistro, serving delicious sandwiches in a stylish, calm, antique atmosphere.
If this is your first time here, we recommend the Pulled Pork with Marmalade sandwich, which is absolutely delicious and very beautifully presented. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better sandwich in all of Tokyo. The business hours stretch from morning to relatively late at night, so Day & Night is convenient for any sort of meeting among friends or coworkers.
Information:
Location: 2-39-5 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 1st floor
Access: 10 minutes walk from Hiroo station
Business Hours: 9:00 to 22:00
5. arabö
The first shop on our list, arabö is a general store with a lovely atmosphere and a smorgasbord of interesting miscellaneous items. Not only Japanese things, but items from all over the world.
In addition to the unique and interesting items for sale, there is also a wide variety of healthy fruits and vegetables popular with local residents. The shop is close to Hiroo Station, so we recommend exploring for souvenirs as you are ending your walk and returning home.
Location: The Glass Tower, 5-17-3 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
4. Arisugawa Palace Memorial Park
Full of nature and a respite from the city, it’s amazing that there is such a beautiful green park in the middle of Tokyo. A gem in any season, but especially on a lush summer day, this park is perfect for continuing your Hiroo stroll in a more natural atmosphere.
There are many places in Hiroo to get a simple gourmet meal, so we recommend taking something out and enjoying a pleasant picnic here in this park. Bring your favorite book and take a break under the shade of a tree.
Information:
Location: 5-7-29 Minamiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047
Access: 3 minutes walk from Tokyo Metro Hiroo Station
Free admission *The management office is open 7 days a week, from 8:30 to 19:00 (until 17:00 from October to April)
3. Tokyo Metropolitan Central Library
The largest public library in all of Japan, Tokyo Metropolitan Central Library is located on the premises of Arisugawanomiya Memorial Park, introduced in the previous entry. Boasting more than 2 million books, the library is open 7 days a week and has free entry even if you are not a Tokyo resident.
We recommend browsing the books and magazines, and there is also an area where you can bring your computer, plug it in, charge it up, and access the free WiFi. If you’re getting a little tired from your walk, why not stop by and read a book, or even do a little work?
Information:
Location: 5-7-13 Minamiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access: 8 minutes walk from Exit 1 of Hiroo Station
Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00 to 21:00; Saturday, Sunday, Holidays – 10:00 to 17:30
2. Yamatane Museum
Located between Hiroo and Ebisu, Yamatane Museum specializes in Japanese-style paintings, and adds a dose of art to your urban walk.
Because there are rotating exhibitions, you will want to come back again and again, and the museum has a wonderful atmosphere and a cute attached café, called “Café Tsubaki”, where you can enjoy Japanese sweets and matcha.
Information:
Location: 3-12-36 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: JR Ebisu Station West Exit, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Ebisu Station Exit 2 - about 10 minutes walk
Hours: From Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 to 17:00; closed Monday
1. Shounji Temple
The final place on our list is Shounji Buddhist Temple, a short 3-minute walk from Hiroo Station. Even though it’s located in the center of Hiroo, you can expect a calm, solemn atmosphere perfect for a moment of simple contemplation.
Taking a stroll through the temple garden is a nice way to appreciate the Japanese seasons, and soak in a little traditional Japanese culture.
Location: 5-1-21 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: 3 minutes walk from Exit 2, Hiroo Station, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
Thank you for reading to the end, and I hope that this list has been helpful for anyone planning a visit to Hiroo. If you can’t make it to Hiroo or Tokyo, but still have an interest in Japanese things, please take a look at our online shop Allegro Japan, which has the English-language internet’s largest variety of Japanese items, and free shipping from Japan to all over the world!