Guidebook for Minato-ku

Janica
Guidebook for Minato-ku

Food Scene

Konomu is a modern Japanese restaurant with many unique dishes. People usually think “sushi” for Japanese resuatuants but there are many types. Konomu has excellent tofu, vegetable, chicken, pork, you name it... dishes. It’s also a cool atmosphere and not too expensive. Maybe around 30UsD a person for dinner and 10USD for lunch. They are famous for their delicious udon noodles. I love the miso stewed hot pot noodles.
Konomu
2-chōme-1-5 Shirokane
Konomu is a modern Japanese restaurant with many unique dishes. People usually think “sushi” for Japanese resuatuants but there are many types. Konomu has excellent tofu, vegetable, chicken, pork, you name it... dishes. It’s also a cool atmosphere and not too expensive. Maybe around 30UsD a person for dinner and 10USD for lunch. They are famous for their delicious udon noodles. I love the miso stewed hot pot noodles.
This is a 15 min walk. It’s casual Italian. I recommend it because it’s open until 3:30am, if you have jet lag. It’s around 10-15 dollars for pasta.
13 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
カフェ ラ・ボエム 白金/Cafe La Boheme Shirokane
4-chōme-19 Shirokanedai
13 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
This is a 15 min walk. It’s casual Italian. I recommend it because it’s open until 3:30am, if you have jet lag. It’s around 10-15 dollars for pasta.
It’s the only place, other than Starbucks that’s open by 8am for breakfast. And the breakfast and brunch are EXCELLENT!!! Around 15USD per person for breakfast or lunch. It’s a chic atmosphere, located on the famous Platinum Street, which is renowned for its upscale, luxurious scene. Kind of like the Beverly Hills of Tokyo.
The tender House
4-chōme-19-16 Shirokanedai
It’s the only place, other than Starbucks that’s open by 8am for breakfast. And the breakfast and brunch are EXCELLENT!!! Around 15USD per person for breakfast or lunch. It’s a chic atmosphere, located on the famous Platinum Street, which is renowned for its upscale, luxurious scene. Kind of like the Beverly Hills of Tokyo.
It’s located at Shirokane Takanawa Station. So you can grab a coffee before going out somewhere.
20 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Starbucks Shirokane-Takanawa
1-chōme-17-2-102 Shirokane
20 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
It’s located at Shirokane Takanawa Station. So you can grab a coffee before going out somewhere.
It’s a Mom and Pop local Italian. Chef/Owner worked at a Michelin rated Italian in Italy (top in Europe). The food is to die for! It’s pricey at night but for 20USD, you can have a beautiful 3 course lunch. I recommend the hand made “Te-Uchi” pasta. Tell the staff that Janica sent you. They know me well and will treat you well!
BITTO
2-chōme-1-5 Shirokane
It’s a Mom and Pop local Italian. Chef/Owner worked at a Michelin rated Italian in Italy (top in Europe). The food is to die for! It’s pricey at night but for 20USD, you can have a beautiful 3 course lunch. I recommend the hand made “Te-Uchi” pasta. Tell the staff that Janica sent you. They know me well and will treat you well!
Excellent teppanyaki (Japanese grilled meat and Japanese) and not too pricey! Try the okonomiyaki.
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Jinroku
6-chōme-23-3 Shirokane
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Excellent teppanyaki (Japanese grilled meat and Japanese) and not too pricey! Try the okonomiyaki.
Famous yakiniku (Korean barbecue) with delicious Wagyu Japanese beef. A must! 3 min walk from apartment.
17 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Yakiniku Jumbo Shirokane
3-chōme-1-1 Shirokane
17 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Famous yakiniku (Korean barbecue) with delicious Wagyu Japanese beef. A must! 3 min walk from apartment.
Modern, cool atmosphere, yakiniku. Korean style, Japanese perfected Barbecue. Very famous! You’ll love its Wagyu Japanese beef. But be prepared to line up for lunch. Dinner gets pricey but lunch is around 20USD for a set lunch, per person. Under 5 min walk from apartment.
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Kiraku-tei
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Modern, cool atmosphere, yakiniku. Korean style, Japanese perfected Barbecue. Very famous! You’ll love its Wagyu Japanese beef. But be prepared to line up for lunch. Dinner gets pricey but lunch is around 20USD for a set lunch, per person. Under 5 min walk from apartment.
Run by a former Iron chef, this cute cafe style restaurant is one of my favorites. If you’re a foodie, you’ll definitely be happy. You’ll love this French/Japanese fusion restaurant. It’s a 2 minute walk from the apartment. The 1F is a casual cafe style restaurant and the B1 floor is more upscale dining. Lunch is 10-15USD and dinner is around 50-70 dollars/person. Everything on the menu is gourmet! The omelet truffle soufflé dish is to die for.
STRADA di GAMIN〜ストラーダ・ディ・ギャマン〜
Run by a former Iron chef, this cute cafe style restaurant is one of my favorites. If you’re a foodie, you’ll definitely be happy. You’ll love this French/Japanese fusion restaurant. It’s a 2 minute walk from the apartment. The 1F is a casual cafe style restaurant and the B1 floor is more upscale dining. Lunch is 10-15USD and dinner is around 50-70 dollars/person. Everything on the menu is gourmet! The omelet truffle soufflé dish is to die for.
A 5-7 minute walk away, This is the cutest whole in the wall you will ever come across. And it is a foodie’s DREAM!! The food is bistro style and so fresh. I love the smoke infused salmon and the lasagne. One of the staff speaks English and everyone is so friendly. You’ll definitely write home about this hidden place. It’s open for dinner and around 50USD per person.
Saru Bistro Shirokane
3-chōme-49-1 Ebisu
A 5-7 minute walk away, This is the cutest whole in the wall you will ever come across. And it is a foodie’s DREAM!! The food is bistro style and so fresh. I love the smoke infused salmon and the lasagne. One of the staff speaks English and everyone is so friendly. You’ll definitely write home about this hidden place. It’s open for dinner and around 50USD per person.
Open until 3:30am,This is an famous ramen joint. Try the marukin ramen, it’s signature dish. It’s around 8 dollars for ramen and you can add more noodles for a dollar. Add a boiled egg or other topping to customize your experience. It’s a 5 min walk from the apartment. Yum!!
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Marukin Ramen
6-chōme-22-19 Shirokane
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Open until 3:30am,This is an famous ramen joint. Try the marukin ramen, it’s signature dish. It’s around 8 dollars for ramen and you can add more noodles for a dollar. Add a boiled egg or other topping to customize your experience. It’s a 5 min walk from the apartment. Yum!!

Parks & Nature

It’s a beautiful park filled with nature, little trails, a pond and more. It’s located in Hiro, where there are plenty of little shops and eateries. 15 min walk from the apartment.
60 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park
5-chōme-7-29 Minamiazabu
60 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
It’s a beautiful park filled with nature, little trails, a pond and more. It’s located in Hiro, where there are plenty of little shops and eateries. 15 min walk from the apartment.

Getting Around

10 min walk from apartment.
40 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Shirokane-Takanawa Station
1-chōme-3 Takanawa
40 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
10 min walk from apartment.
15 min walk. Super famous area for dining.
44 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Hiro-o Station
5-chōme-4 Hiroo
44 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
15 min walk. Super famous area for dining.

Essentials

5 min walk from apartment. English speaking doctor who was educated at Berkeley in the States, who accepts international insurance, open M-F 9-5pm. Tell Dr. Tsutsumi Isao that Janica sent you. He knows me well and will treat you well!
Hiroo International Clinic
4-chōme-14-6 Minamiazabu
5 min walk from apartment. English speaking doctor who was educated at Berkeley in the States, who accepts international insurance, open M-F 9-5pm. Tell Dr. Tsutsumi Isao that Janica sent you. He knows me well and will treat you well!
Grocery store located at Shirokane Takanawa Station so perfect to buy food on the at home from sight seeing, etc. many fresh delicacies.
14 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Queen's Isetan
1-chōme-17-2 Shirokane
14 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Grocery store located at Shirokane Takanawa Station so perfect to buy food on the at home from sight seeing, etc. many fresh delicacies.
5 min walk from the apartment. It’s a nail, esthetics and threading salon. Famous for threading. You can book online: www.jolinails.jp Shirokane location. And tell the staff Janica sent you. I’m the owner and will give you a 10% discount. :-)
JoliBeauty
5 min walk from the apartment. It’s a nail, esthetics and threading salon. Famous for threading. You can book online: www.jolinails.jp Shirokane location. And tell the staff Janica sent you. I’m the owner and will give you a 10% discount. :-)

Entertainment & Activities

Beautiful aquarium. My friends say it’s there best dolphin show they’ve seen anywhere. Make sure to sign up early to feed the dolphins. It’s 20 dollars or so to enter and an additional 10 dollars or so to feed the dolphins... but sign up as soon as you get in to feed dolphins. I recommend going on a weekday, as weekends are packed. It’s a 5 min walk from Shinagawa Station. Take the train 2 stops to Meguro (from ShirokaneTakanawa Station). Then transfer to the JR Yamanote line. Shinagawa Station is just a few stops away. Or, better yet—-just take a taxi. It’s onlt 5-10 minutes and around 10USD. You can also bicycle. 20 min or so by bike.
105 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa
4-chōme-10-30 Takanawa
105 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Beautiful aquarium. My friends say it’s there best dolphin show they’ve seen anywhere. Make sure to sign up early to feed the dolphins. It’s 20 dollars or so to enter and an additional 10 dollars or so to feed the dolphins... but sign up as soon as you get in to feed dolphins. I recommend going on a weekday, as weekends are packed. It’s a 5 min walk from Shinagawa Station. Take the train 2 stops to Meguro (from ShirokaneTakanawa Station). Then transfer to the JR Yamanote line. Shinagawa Station is just a few stops away. Or, better yet—-just take a taxi. It’s onlt 5-10 minutes and around 10USD. You can also bicycle. 20 min or so by bike.

Drinks & Nightlife

5 min taxi away. Famous for the fight scene inspiration on “Kill Bill,” this restaurant and bar is famous for casually hosting every famous celebrity and politician on the planet. It’s not too pricey and a super fun Japanese vibe, with an extensive menu and fun atmosphere. I love the miso glazed sea bass.
72 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Gonpachi Nishiazabu
1-chōme-13-11 Nishiazabu
72 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
5 min taxi away. Famous for the fight scene inspiration on “Kill Bill,” this restaurant and bar is famous for casually hosting every famous celebrity and politician on the planet. It’s not too pricey and a super fun Japanese vibe, with an extensive menu and fun atmosphere. I love the miso glazed sea bass.