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A bustling city of skyscrapers and neon lights, Tokyo is home to interesting port areas facing Tokyo Bay, where you can smell the ocean and feel the sea breeze on your face. Shinagawa is one such area, and with its excellent access to the JR Yamanote Line, shinkansen, and other train lines, the area around Shinagawa Station has become one of Tokyo’s most important waterfront shopping districts. Although Shinagawa has a strong image as a business district, there is also plenty of entertainment here. Just a short walk from the station, you can easily find a very different side to Shinagawa, and in this article, we’ll highlight the best places and attractions to visit during your explorations of this port district.
1. Maxell Shinagawa Water Park
Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa, located near Shinagawa Station, is one of the leading aquariums and uses state-of-the-art technology. The aquarium is attached to the Shinagawa Prince Hotel and features a dolphin show, carousel, and various other attractions, not to mention the aquarium itself, which is full of fascinating fish. The aquarium is very popular as a meeting place and among families with small children.
Official Site: Maxell Shinagawa Water Park
2. Tennozu Island
Tennozu Isle is a large man-made island created as part of land development during the Edo period, and is packed with entertainment and dining options, covering an area of around 200,000 hectares. The sprawling site is packed with high-rise buildings and restaurants catering to hungry business people, and with an abundance of shops, the area is also great for shoppers.
Official Site: Tennozu Island
3. Nikon Museum
Nikon is one of the most famous Japanese camera companies and is popular among many camera enthusiasts for its designs and quality. Nikon has now opened its own museum in Shinagawa, showcasing Nikon’s past products and technical advances over time. The entrance to the museum is free and we recommend all camera fans to visit here!
Official website: Nikon Museum
4. Rinshi no Mori Park
If you want to be surrounded by tranquility and greenery in Shinagawa, Rinshi no Mori Park is the right place. This large nature park straddles the Shinagawa and Meguro districts and is popular with many local residents. It is also a park where rare tree species from Japan and the world have been planted, and many endangered species such as the Quercus hondae, grow there. There is also a day campsite and a children’s pool, especially popular with families with children.
Official Site: Rinshi no Mori Park
5. The Museum of Culture in Le Paquet
Containers and packaging are necessary to store and transport food and other items. Although they are typically thrown away once the contents are removed, container and packaging manufacturers are constantly improving their products with users in mind. Here in Shinagawa, a major Japanese packaging manufacturer has opened a museum dedicated to the history of food packaging and packaging. The museum is free and features many interesting packaging-related exhibits, such as how containers were developed to prevent the spread of disease and how various innovations in the container industry have affected daily life.
Official website: Le Paquet Culture Museum
6. Sengaku-ji Temple
Sengakuji Temple is a 7-minute walk from Takanawa Gateway Station on the JR Yamanote Line. Sengakuji is a temple belonging to the Soto sect and has a history of more than 400 years. Although the temple has been destroyed many times by fire and war, it has been rebuilt so many times thanks to the efforts and dedication of its devotees. Sengakuji Temple is known as the home of the tombs of Ako Roshi (赤穂浪士), the characters from the original “Chushingura” (忠臣蔵), and is a place that fans of this story visit to pay their respects. The temple is also home to the Ako Ronin Memorial Museum, which is not to be missed.
Official Site: Sengaku-ji Temple
7. Shinagawa Shrine
Shinagawa Shrine, founded in 1187, is one of the oldest shrines in Shinagawa and is of considerable importance. The sanctuary is surrounded by nature and fresh air, and is famous for the two dragons carved in the sanctuary. Torii portal, which is something very rare. It is also known as a point of power to increase one’s financial fortune, thus attracting many devotees in the hope of increasing their luck.
Official website: Shinagawa Shrine
If you are interested in the history of this coastal area, you should definitely visit the Shinagawa Museum of History. Exhibits about Shinagawa from medieval to modern times are on display, along with information about the culture of the people who live there. The Shinagawa History Museum also sells merchandise related to Shinagawa history, including beautiful postcards with images of Shinagawa during the Edo period, which are perfect as souvenirs.
Official website: Shinagawa Historical Museum
9. Meguro River
The Meguro River is one of Tokyo’s best-known rivers, flowing through the Meguro, Shinagawa, and Setagaya districts before finally reaching Tokyo Bay. A 4-kilometre section of the river is lined with cherry trees, and each spring the cherry trees bloom beautifully, while fall brings beautiful autumn leaves. Therefore, this area is very popular with cherry blossom and foliage viewers in spring and autumn, and the contrast between the river and the delicate blossoms and foliage is truly impressive.
In this article, we introduce another side of Shinagawa, also known as a shopping district, but which of these places would you like to visit when you go to Shinagawa? There are many interesting places within walking distance of the station that are perfect for a fun day out. The area is easily accessible thanks to its many train lines, so the next time you pass through Shinagawa Station, hop off the train and head out to explore!
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