Hibiya

A Western-Style Park

At the heart of Hibiya spreads Hibiya Park. When Noripy visited, the camellias were in beautiful bloom.
Opened in 1903, it was Japan’s first full-fledged Western-style park.
Beyond its flower beds, trees, ponds, and fountains, the park also features an open-air concert hall and cultural facilities, including a former library. The tennis courts, in particular, may have been one of the first places where people in Japan experienced a “Western lifestyle” more than a century ago.
The restaurant Matsumotoro, which opened at the same time as the park, could well be considered one of the origins of Japan’s Western-style cuisine.

History

As you walk through the park, you’ll come across the stone walls of the Hibiya Gate, a remnant of Edo Castle’s outer defenses that lets your imagination wander back to the Edo period.
You might also notice a majestic Platanus over 100 years old. Introduced during the Meiji era, these trees were once a familiar sight lining streets across Japan.

Two Hotels

The Imperial Hotel Tokyo, a symbol of Hibiya’s tradition and prestige, and The Peninsula Tokyo, representing modern international sophistication.
Seeing these two hotels side by side reminds you that Hibiya is a district where tradition and modernity beautifully overlap.

Godzilla and Hibiya

Hibiya is at the heart of Tokyo’s entertainment district, with its concentration of cinemas and theaters. Interestingly, while Godzilla was born in the Pacific, the character made its debut as a movie right here in Hibiya, Tokyo. That’s right—Godzilla was created by Toho in 1954.

Tokyo Midtown Hibiya

Even from a distance, Tokyo Midtown Hibiya rises proudly into the skyline. On its 6th floor, there is an outdoor space called the “Park View Garden.” From here, you can enjoy a stunning view—Hibiya Park stretches out directly below, and your sightline opens toward the Imperial Palace. The sunset was especially beautiful.

Underground-connected commercial facilities

Beneath the surface, a network of passageways spreads out, seamlessly linking restaurants, cafés, and the surrounding neighborhood.

Foodie’s Delight!

At “Yutori no Kūkan” inside Hibiya Chanter, you can enjoy the gentle, home-style cooking of culinary expert Harumi Kurihara. It’s not a fancy feast, but each dish is the kind you’d want to eat every day.
Foodie, satisfied!