Marunouchi district, spreading out on the west side of Tokyo Station, is the largest office area in Japan. The construction work to replace old buildings is presently being promoted, and new multifunctional buildings with offices and shops are going up one after another, such as the Marunouchi Building, Shin-Marunouchi Building, Marunouchi Oazo and TOKIA, as well as first-class hotels. The beautiful red brick Renaissance-style Tokyo Station, constructed in 1914, is also undergoing renovation with completion targeted for 2012. Various projects have been undertaken in the area for the comfort of both the people who work there and those just enjoying a visit. Marunouchi-naka-dori Street, in particular, is most suitable for shopping with its abundance of brand name shops.
 

A 15-minute walk brings you to the Yurakucho neighborhood. The highlight of this area is a visit to the innovatively designed Tokyo International Forum, a convention and art center, comprised of 7 halls and 33 meeting rooms, where there are always interesting events being held.

If you go to Yurakucho, you will be very close to Ginza, a famous representative shopping area of Japan, and Hibiya, the center for government offices. Hibiya-koen Park is the location of Japan's first western-style garden, an open-air concert hall and a restaurant, and it provides a wonderful place for recreation and relaxation.

In the Hibiya, Yurakucho and Marunouchi areas, there are many beautiful buildings, such as those already mentioned, as well as historical sites, new sightseeing spots and art galleries. The OMY Area Management Association offers 2-hour-long guided walking tours of Marunouchi. Each tour has a different theme, so participants visit different spots depending on what theme they have chosen. In addtition, the Sky Bus Counter in the Mitsubishi Building accepts reservations for a 45-minute tour around Marunouchi, the Imperial Palace and Ginza aboard a double-decker bus.

*Photo (C) TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FORUM CO., LTD.