Tokyo Midtown 東京ミッドタウン, Roppongi ろっぽんぎ 六本木
Today was such a beautiful Spring day so at the last minute I decided to take Keiji and Arisa to the new Tokyo Midtown complex in Roppongi, which is a few blocks away from Roppongi Hills. Why Tokyo Midtown? It’s supposed to just be a fancy high-rise office building with ultra expensive shops and restaurants. Well I heard there is also a beautiful big park next to it. I envisioned a lazy day on the lawn with Keiji and Arisa happily playing by themselves and some time for me relax to a good book or some reverie. So I packed our picnic mat, blankie, Keiji’s bubbles, Arisa’s favorites books and on the way to the train station stop by a shop to pick up some obento lunches.
We reached Tokyo Midtown about 45 minutes later. And as soon as we exit the station, the building’s entrance is right there. The building of course is impressive with all the brand new shiny interiors . It appears they want to give it a New York City feel and it looks like they are trying to model it after the Time Warner Building on Columbus Circle. Tokyo Midtown will even house a Billboard Jazz performance space. For children there isn’t much stuff. Although Keiji enjoys himself anywhere really, running on little pebbled strips that decorate walkways or looking at the fountains. And Arisa is thrilled just watching her big brother run around. I didn’t find any children’s shops, but there might be some that I missed since it was so crowded and not very conducive for window shopping. Also it is brand-spanking new so I’m sure more shops are still yet to open. We weaved through the crowds to look for the exit which led to the park. I saw it out the windows – a green oasis! And a bridge from the building led directly there…Ah but when I reached the bridge it was full of steps! Why can’t architects build having mothers with strollers more in mind – we always have to walk an extra 5 km to use elevators and ramps.
The park has pristine landscaping. The lawn was just what I was hoping for- full of soft vibrant green grass! But to my utter disappointment all the grass areas were corded off and had signs not to enter. So instead we lunched at an area outdoors where there are tables and chairs. At least we still enjoyed lunching al fresco.
The park does have a playground area with very artsy, sculpture-like slides, swings and a couple of shiny chrome web-like jungle gyms.
Traveling with a baby? At Toei-Oedo line Roppongi Station there are elevators from both platforms to concourse level and to street level. Tokyo Midtown has a milk room where you can breastfeed, change diapers, and get hot water for formula.