Akasaka – Strolling through a district of slopes where history meets modernity

Japanese Garden at Hotel New Otani

Opened in 1964 to coincide with the Tokyo Olympics, Hotel New Otani features a serene Japanese garden surrounded by modern skyscrapers. The site was once the grounds of a samurai residence about 400 years ago. After WWⅡ, the hotel’s founder restored the overgrown garden, preserving elements of its historical charm. You’ll find traditional stone lanterns, uniquely red-hued rocks, a dry landscape area, and other features that offer a peaceful escape. The garden is open to the public free of charge—even if you’re not a hotel guest.

┃Don’t miss the six-meter-tall waterfall that makes use of the site’s natural elevation

⇩ 10 min walk

Hie-jinja Shrine

Nestled between office buildings along Sotobori-dori Avenue, a towering torii gate marks the entrance to Hie-jinja Shrine. Behind it rises a lush green hill—once revered as the guardian deity of Edo Castle and the Tokugawa shogunate that ruled Japan during the Edo period. Inside the “Homotsuden” treasure hall, you’ll find a rotating display of 31 swords linked to the Tokugawa family—each visit may reveal something new. Dedicated to a mountain deity, the shrine features “koma-zaru” guardian monkeys instead of the usual koma-inu guardian dogs, adding a unique touch.

┃On the Sotobori-dori side, the massive Sanno torii gate flanked by escalators makes it easy to reach the shrine grounds.

⇩ 15 min walk

Toraya Akasaka Store

As you head toward Shibuya along Aoyama-dori Avenue, you’ll spot a striking fan-shaped building with glass walls and warm wooden accents. This is Torayaa, a traditional Japanese confectionery that dates back to the early 16th century in Kyoto. It began serving the Imperial Court during the reign of Emperor Go-Yozei (1586–1611) and expanded to Tokyo following the capital’s relocation in the late 19th century. The Akasaka store has been in business for over 140 years.

Toraya offers a wide variety of seasonal Japanese sweets, including its signature yokan sweet bean jelly.

┃On the third floor, “Toraya Karyo” tea room offers a serene view of the grounds of the Akasaka Estate. You can enjoy sweets, fresh confections, and matcha.

⇩ 10 min walk

akasaka Sacas

After strolling through a lively shopping street filled with international eateries, you’ll arrive at akasaka Sacas, a dynamic multi-use complex. Anchored by the headquarters of major broadcaster TBS, the area includes a theater, open plaza, restaurants, shops, and more—all forming a mini-city that serves as a cultural hotspot.

Akasaka is being rebranded as a hub for entertainment, and a major highlight is its collaboration with “Harry Potter.” From live stage performances to themed cafes, shops, and magical decorations throughout the area, visitors are invited to step into a world of wizardry.

┃It truly feels like you’ve stepped into the world of magic!

⇩  13 min walk

Akasaka Hikawa Shrine

Climb the gently winding streets of Motohikawazaka slope—a bit like a small urban maze—and you’ll reach Akasaka Hikawa Shrine, the guardian shrine of the entire Akasaka area. With a history spanning over 1,000 years, the shrine was relocated to its current site in the early 18th century by order of shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune. Remarkably, its wooden buildings have survived earthquakes and wars intact, preserving their original form. Today, the structure is a designated Cultural Property of Tokyo. Tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood, it’s the perfect spot for a peaceful prayer.

┃Don’t miss the annual Akasaka Hikawa Festival in September, when dazzling mikoshi portable shrines and floats parade through the streets to rouse and celebrate the local spirit.

Mini ColumnーExploring the Slopes of Akasaka

Akasaka is home to many slopes with unique and fascinating origins. Here, we introduce a few of the most distinctive ones.
Note: There are various theories about their origins.

┃ Sanpunzaka (Sanpun Slope)

During the Edo period, the slope’s steep incline made carrying loads difficult. As a result, transporters charged an extra three silver square coins (roughly equivalent to 100 yen today), which gave the slope its name.

┃ Yagenzaka (Yagen Slope)

This slope has a V-shaped depression in the middle, resembling a yagen—a traditional mortar used for grinding medicines into powder.

┃ Ushinakizaka (Ushinaki Slope)

In the past, the road surface was so poor that oxen pulling carts would groan in distress, inspiring the slope’s rather sorrowful name (“Crying Oxen Slope”).