Hibiya
Chic And Cultural District At The Center Of Tokyo
Hibiya is one of the high-end districts of the Japanese capital, in the heart of Chiyoda, located next to the moats on the south-east side of Tokyo Imperial Palace. It attracts tourists thanks to a Western-style inspired public park surrounded by upscale urban complexes for shopping, theaters and hotels aimed at well-off travelers and business people.
Hibiya is the area where Edo period’s (1603 – 1868) feudal aristocracy lived and is still close to the central authorities, located next to Tokyo Imperial Palace’s moats and to the country’s important public administrations. Its stylish and laid-back atmosphere reflects the history of the area that grew first during the Meiji Era (1868 – 1912) then through the Showa Era (1926 – 1989) into a place of modern and upscale entertainment, influenced by the international.
At the time, Hibiya was part of the country’s modernization and opening towards West, materialized in the inauguration of a reception hall for foreign diplomats called the Rokumeikan, designed by British architect Josiah Conder (1852 – 1920). This landmark was eventually demolished in the early 1940s.
Nowadays, tall massive buidlings display their verticality lining up along the large Hibiya-dori avenue, and its side-streets. The cityscape is balanced by the moats opening the horizon and the green spaces harboring big trees and notably Hibiya Park, the green oasis and core of the neighborhood.
The first Western-style garden in Japan, Hibiya-koen provides a beautiful natural setting to take a break and sit on a bench. The scenery is enhanced by seasonal blooming from spring 🌸 to autumn 🍁, while various and cultural events are held in the park.
Art theater and international business
Despite it limited superficies, Hibiya district lies in central Tokyo at the crossroads of several worlds:
- To the West, Hibiya Park is next to the streets of Kasumigaseki, home to several administrative buildings and ministries;
- To the east, the blocks between Yurakucho and Uchisaiwaicho are characterized by entertainment, with:
- Theaters standing along the Hibiya-Nakadori avenue since the beginning of the 20th century, whose most famous are the Imperial Theatre, the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater and the Nissay Theatre;
- Toho movie thearters, home to the Godzilla license in theaters, and of a small statue of the kaiju in the open-air;
- As well as shopping malls such as the recently built Hibiya Tokyo Midtown and Hibiya Chanter.
- To the north, the long Hibiya-dori avenue is hugging the moats of the Imperial Palace and connects to Marunouchi’s business center, near Tokyo Station;
- To the south, one quickly reach Toranomon and its new skyscrapers (Toranomon Hills).
There are also plenty of possibilities regarding hotels 🏨 and travel accommodation, and it is highly recommended to stay in this area, especially in the streets within walking distance to the historical center of the capital. At the end of the year, for Christmas, the neighborhood is dressed with night illuminations to enjoy in the early evening.