CONTEMPORARY CITY Roppongi has long been one of the most popular residential areas among Japan’s expatriate residents, who are attracted by its convenient location, lively atmosphere and the proximity of services and facilities which cater to the foreign community.
Known primarily among Japanese for its nightlife, in recent years Roppongi has also become a hugely popular daytime destination due to the addition of two spectacular new developments ? Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills. Both developments, which centre on high-rise office complexes, contain a range of cafes, restaurants, and exclusive stores selling the latest designer goods. Two of Tokyo’s top hotels, the Ritz Carlton and Grand Hyatt, are also located within these developments, making Roppongi a favorite with business travelers and visiting celebrities.
Art-lovers also have good reason to visit Roppongi’s first-class art galleries - the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi Hills, the Suntory Museum of Art in Midtown, and the National Art Center Tokyo with its futuristic architecture and massive exhibition space.
Roppongi is also a great place to eat. There is an amazing array of restaurants, and a wide variety of cuisines is available, including Thai, Chinese, Indian, Italian, French, and, of course, Japanese. There are also a number of international chain restaurants for those looking for a familiar taste of home.
Always one of Tokyo’s livelier districts, at night the streets fill with people looking to enjoy Roppongi’s restaurants, bars and clubs. And because of the area’s history as one of Tokyo’s ex-pat centers, foreign residents and visitors will receive a warm welcome wherever they go.
Always one of Tokyo’s livelier districts, at night the streets fill with people looking to enjoy Roppongi’s restaurants, bars and clubs. And because of the area’s history as one of Tokyo’s ex-pat centers, foreign residents and visitors will receive a warm welcome wherever they go.

HIROO/ MINAMIAZABU : LUXURY COMMUNITY

•	International Supermarket (National Azabu Supermarket)
•	Nature (Arisugawa Park)
•	Luxury Residential Area
•	Convenient for Shopping (Local Shotengai)
•	Hiroo Staion

Located in the Southwest of central Tokyo, the Hiro-o/Minami Azabu district has possibly the highest concentration of foreign residents of any part of Tokyo. This can be explained by its proximity to many of Tokyo’s international schools, a large park and an international supermarket, as well as by the abundance of spacious, high quality housing available in the area. For people coming over to Japan with children Hiroo is often the number one choice. It provides easy access to many of Tokyo’s international schools. … One of only a handful of supermarkets in Tokyo that specializes in imported goods, National Azabu, the international supermarket just a couple of minutes from Hiro-o subway station, is a major draw for expatriates seeking a taste of home. On the other side of the station is a shopping street with a variety shops and restaurants and a distinctly Japanese character. AZABUJUBAN : MIXTURE OF TRADITIONAL AND WESTERN CULTURE

•	Mixture of Japanese traditional and western style shopping zone (Azabujuban Shotengai)
•	Luxury and Popular Residential area
•	Japanese traditional atmosphere (Temples:Tokushouji)
•	Azabujuban station

Azabujuban is a vibrant and appealing neighbourhood. While it is located just a ten-minute walk from the bars and clubs of Roppongi, it has a sedate and traditional atmosphere that is unusual among the hustle and bustle of central Tokyo. There are a large number of luxury apartments in the vicinity, which makes Azabu Juban an attractive area for expatriates. The district is centred on a long shopping strip, which is relatively free of traffic and offers a pleasing mixture of shops, cafe’s and restaurants. While there are a handful of international chains, the majority of the shops are small, independent retailers. There is also a public bathhouse located above a natural hot spring where people can relax Japanese-style. Within a short walk of the shopping street is Tokyo’s largest international supermarket, offering a great selection of imported and Western-style goods including meat, cheese, bread and cereals. Every year in August Azabu Juban hosts an international food festival that is hugely popular with both Japanese and foreign residents alike.

SAKAE: THE BEATING HEART OF NAGOYA.
Sakae (栄) is located in Aichi, Nagoya, Naka-ku. Sakae is arguably the main entertainment area of Nagoya, and the hub of many communities in the Chubu Region. The Chubu Region, or Central Japan, includes nine ken, or prefectures,Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, Yamanashi, and often Mie (technically in Kansai).  Mostly you will meet people from Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Shizuoka in and around Nagoya. Sakae basically includesareas within walking distance of Sakae intersection and Sakae Station. Sakae Station sits on the Higashiyama and Meijo Subway lines, and the MeitetsuSeto Line; 2 stops from Nagoya on the yellow line. In common use, people living in urban areas of Japan use the name of the closest station to refer to their neighborhood. So, “Sakae” is often used to explain places that are actually in Nishiki, Shin-sakae, or even Higashisakura, north of Sakae. Used broadly, it is a very big and exciting part of Nagoya. Sakae’s HisayaŌdori Park is a very nice urban park that features events on weekends; if the weather is good, nearly every weekend. The parkalso contains the Nagoya TV Tower.The 180-meter towerwas the first built in Japan back in 1954. Since then, Nagoya has become quite fond of it, and the TV Tower is often mentioned as a symbol of Nagoya. When the weather is nice you can find families and couples taking pictures in front of it, and at nightwhen the tower is illuminated it dominates the skyline and can be seen from all over Sakae. In the shadow of the tower sits the ever funky Oasis 21, where events are held on theMilky Way Square; an open public space below Water Spaceship roof. From the roof you have a great view of the tower, and many couples find it pleasant to stroll around the rooftop pond and enjoy the view. The public space belowholds restaurants and stores, and even a Saturday morning farmer’s market. The space also plays host to large public events and celebrations, such as the World Cosplay Championships when they came to Nagoya in 2010 and 2011. Adjacent to Oasis 21 you will find the Aichi Fine Arts Center, which is home tothe Aichi Fine Art Museum and Aichi Performing Arts Theater.There is also a Wolfgang Puck, among other things. Matsuzakaya, Maruei Sakae, and Mitsukoshi are department stores known collectively as the 3M of Nagoya. These, and other large stores such as Parco, Nadya Park, and Lachic, extend well into the adjacent Yaba-cho area. This area between Sakae and Yaba-Cho contains many high-end luxury import brand stores, and ranks among the best shopping areas in Japan. You can find some of the most expensive brand name clothes, shoes, and bags in the world, but there is also a Gap! Nearby NadyaPark, isa modern skyscraper and shopping complex housing the International Design Centre Nagoya on its fourth floor and the Loft Departmental Store, which seems to have everything you could need. There are two additional shopping areas underground in Sakae. The area under the TV Tower in Hisayaodori Park is known as “Central Park,” and Sake-Mori Underground Shopping Center is on the other side of Sakae Station. Very near the Sake-Mori Underground you can find a few interesting places. If you are new to Japan, the Daiso 100 yen store in the Skyle Building is a lot of fun. If getting a western style meal is your thing, the Outback Steakhouse is right across the street, and a Starbucks sits above that. Just down the street from the Skyle Building you can find Mejiya, a great source for “foreign foods” in Nagoya. Sakae is famous for its attractive nightlife and draws people from all over Chubu. At night the area hums with the energy of Nagoya’s youth come out as clubbers, bar hoppers, and the ever present advertisers drawing prospective patrons to their spot. Popular nightclubs in Sakae include iD Café, Gary’s, Club Quattro, Club JB’s, and Steps. Popular bars in Sakae include MyBar, Bar 8, and 59’s.