Enjoy Anime & Characters on Yamanote Line Trains

Tokyo Station is Japan’s gateway to the nation. The Tokyo Metropolitan District Office was also once located near the station. It is one of the nation’s biggest, and no trip to Japan would be complete without dropping in at least once.
Let’s take a look at five spots around Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, with the Tokyo Metropolitan District Office located nearby, and Shibuya Station, which is well known around the world for its scramble crosswalk.

Tokyo Station Area

One of the largest in Japan, Tokyo Station opened in 1914 to form a hub linking Marunouchi, Otemachi, Yuraku-cho, Yaesu, Nihombashi, and Kyobashi, areas that form the largest business district in Japan. The areas around Tokyo Station have many office buildings, department stores and other commercial facilities. It is also near the Imperial Palace, and the area has a wide variety of stores offering anime characters that have become a part of Japanese culture.

Tokyo Character Street

Tokyo Station First Avenue, directly connected to the Central Exit of Yaesu Basement, is a popular shopping mall with restaurants, clothing stores, daily necessities, and a wide variety of service providers.
The most popular site is Tokyo Character Street, which is home to many specialty stores featuring popular anime and characters. It’s a great place to shop for special gifts to bring back home as souvenirs.

1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Tokyo Station First Avenue
Tokyo Character Street

Pokémon Center Tokyo DX & Pokémon Cafe

Pokémon Center Tokyo DX offers Pokémon products that are very popular both at home and abroad. Pokémon is loved worldwide, and the world championships are held annually. There are currently more than 1,000 different Pokémon. The store sells a wide variety of Pokémon items that can only be found here.
Next to the store is the first regularly open official Pokémon Café. Visitors can relax in the woody interior while enjoying cute and delicious Pokémon-themed light meals, sweets and beverages.

©2024 Pokémon. ©1995-2024 Nintendo/Creatures Inc. /GAME FREAK inc.
Pocket Monster and Pokémon are trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures Inc., and Game Freak Inc.

Nihombashi Takashimaya S.C. East Building 5th Floor, 2-11-2 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Pokémon Center Tokyo DX & Pokémon Cafe

Shinjuku

Shinjuku Station, where the current Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office is located, sees the largest number of daily passengers in the world. With throngs of visitors from in- and outside of Japan, there are many sightseeing sites around the station, including the West Exit, where high-rise buildings and hotels are located, Shinjuku Imperial Garden, and the East Exit, where stores and traditional-style shopping streets are.

Mahole Covers with a Godzilla Motif

An actual-size Godzilla head displayed on the rooftop of the Shinjuku Toho Building on Central Road in Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku, has become famous, and many tourists from in- and outside of Japan come to see it. In front of the building are two manholes with custom-designed Godzilla covers inspired by the movies “Shin Godzilla (2016) and “Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992).
Shinjuku issued a Special Certificate of Residence to Godzilla and appointed Godzilla as a Shijuku Tourism Ambassador in 2015.

TM ＆ © TOHO CO., LTD.

Near 1-18, Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (On Central Road in front of Shinjuku Toho Building)
Mahole Covers with a Godzilla Motif

Shibuya

A popular gathering place for fashion-conscious young people, Shibuya has been under redevelopment, and there are many brand-new commercial facilities such as Shibuya Hikarie and Shibuya Scramble Square. In addition to being home to many live-music venues, movie theaters, art theaters and other cultural facilities, Shibuya has many specialty stores such as Japan’s first official Disney store (Disney Store, Shibuya Koen Dori).

Doraemon’s 50th Anniversary Commemorative Monument – DORAEMON’S DOOR TO THE FUTURE

A large Doraemon monument can be seen on the rooftop of MIYASHITA PARK near Shibuya Station. Not only is it a great photo spot, but visitors are welcome to touch the monument. Look at the Shibuya townscape through the Anywhere Door, and find more fun things to do here.

1-26-5 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Rooftop of MIYASHITA PARK)
Doraemon’s 50th Anniversary Commemorative Monument – DORAEMON’S DOOR TO THE FUTURE

Tokyo Anime Center

Tokyo Anime Center is located on the second floor of Shibuya MODI, which can be found along the way to Koen-dori Street from Shibuya Station. Shibuya MODI has become the mecca for people interested in manga, games, and subculture. Tokyo Anime Center has opened a pop-up store for a limited time, and holds anime exhibitions. Come to see items related to your favorite anime and pick up souvenirs of your trip.

1-21-3 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Second Floor at Shibuya MODI)
Tokyo Anime Center

We have more fun places to visit along the Yamanote Line. Please enjoy Japanese culture while riding on the Yamanote Line.