Akasaka, a charming and lively district of Tokyo

Location and access to the Akasaka district

The Akasaka district is ideally located in the heart of Tokyo, between the districts of Nagatachō to the north, seat of the Japanese government, and Roppongi to the south, known for its lively nightlife. With excellent transport links, it is easily accessible from the capital's main stations:

• Akasaka station on the Chiyoda line of the Tokyo metro
• Akasaka-Mitsuke station on the Ginza and Marunouchi lines
• Tameike-Sannō station on the Ginza and Namboku lines
• Numerous bus routes also run through the district

From Tokyo station, allow around 25 minutes on the Marunouchi line and then the Chiyoda line. From Shinjuku, the journey takes half an hour on the Marunouchi and Chiyoda lines.

Art lovers will be delighted to visit the Suntory Art Museum, which exhibits a fine collection of ancient Japanese art (paintings, ceramics, lacquerware, etc.) in a modern-design building. Other museums, such as the Mori Art Museum and the Tokyo National Art Center, are just a few minutes' walk away.

Japanese and international companies and institutions based in Akasaka

Transport to get around the district and to other points of interest in Tokyo

Akasaka's central location and excellent transport links make it an ideal base for visiting Tokyo. Most of the capital's iconic sights can be reached in less than half an hour:

• Harajuku and Shibuya on the Chiyoda line (20-25 min)
• Imperial Palace and Ginza via the Marunouchi and Chiyoda lines (15-20 min)
• Roppongi on foot (15 min) or by bus (10 min)
• Shinjuku via Marunouchi line (20 min)

To get around the district, you can rely on the three subway stations Akasaka, Akasaka-mitsuke and Tameike-Sannō, which provide easy access to the various points of interest. Bus routes also criss-cross the district. Don't hesitate to venture out on foot to discover Akasaka's pretty little streets!

Education in Akasaka: public schools and library

As Akasaka is a popular residential area, it boasts a number of public schools run by the Minato-ku district, from kindergarten to junior high school. Akasaka High School, on the other hand, formerly run by Tokyo City Hall, closed its doors in March 2017, after an understaffed final school year.

For families, the Akasaka municipal library is an interesting cultural resource, with its wide range of documents, books and videos to borrow. This public facility complements the many bookshops and manga stores found throughout the district.

Preserved culture and traditions in Akasaka, including Tokyo's most famous hanamachi

Behind its air of modern business district, Akasaka has preserved a fascinating cultural heritage. This is where you'll find Tokyo's most famous hanamachi, where the capital's geishas live and work. Nestled in this maze of traditional alleyways are teahouses (ochaya), performance halls and art schools where geishas perfect their skills.

Although today there are less than a hundred geisha practicing this refined ancestral art, Akasaka's geishas perpetuate the memory of the Edo period. You can attend one of their performances in a traditional teahouse, for a timeless dinner-show. A unique experience to immerse yourself in Japanese culture!

And while Akasaka looks to the future with its high-tech buildings, the district has not forgotten its roots and traditions. As you stroll around, you'll come across many small neighborhood shrines, handicraft stalls and Japanese gardens hidden away in the heart of the city... It's a great way to immerse yourself in the Tokyo of yesteryear, just a stone's throw from the capital's liveliest districts.