2026 Azabudai Hills Shopping Guide: How to Enjoy Japan’s Tallest Skyscraper and Its Urban Village
Azabudai Hills is Tokyo’s newest mixed-use landmark, combining Mori JP Tower (Japan’s tallest building) with shopping, dining and art exhibitions, and it is one of the most rewarding districts to explore in 2026.
Mori JP Tower: The Heart of the City in Japan’s Tallest Skyscraper
Standing about 325 meters tall, Mori JP Tower is the highest building in Japan. Designed by Pelli Clarke & Partners, it houses offices, residences, an observation deck and upscale dining. Its streamlined glass curtain-wall exterior looks futuristic, and at night its lights have become a new part of the Tokyo skyline.
Development was led by Mori Building Co., Ltd., and the low-rise section, the “Garden Plaza” (ガーデンプラザ), was designed by Thomas Heatherwick’s Heatherwick Studio. Conceived as a “modern urban village within the city,” it lets the high-rise towers coexist with green plazas and overturns the usual image of a business district.
Central Green Plaza: A Front-Row View of Tokyo Tower
Central Green Plaza is the public heart of Azabudai Hills. A large lawn and tiered seating face Tokyo Tower, and on a clear day you can take in the whole tower, making it one of the must-photograph spots for visitors. The plaza hosts markets, concerts and seasonal events from time to time, such as the Christmas market in winter.
It is a great place for a picnic after buying prepared food at Azabudai Hills Market. In the early evening, as the lights come on, Tokyo Tower and the surrounding buildings glow together, and photography fans recommend this time of day above all.
The Orchard: A Patch of Green in the City
The orchard sits on a small hill near the entrance to Central Green Plaza and grows 11 kinds of fruit trees and herbs, including blueberries, lemons and peaches. It is normally closed to the public and opens only during special events, but ordinary visitors can view it from a distance from Central Green Plaza.
Together with the orchard, the plaza’s lawn and walkways form the green landscape of the complex, so while you shop, take a moment to slow down and rest in this green space.
Sakuraazabu Street: A Cherry Blossom Walk with 34 Native Plant Species
Sakuraazabu Street (桜麻通り) takes its name from connecting Sakurada-dori and Azabu-dori. It is planted mainly with 34 native plant species, and cherry trees with different flowering seasons line the street, so the scenery changes through all four seasons, like strolling along a nature trail.
Cherry blossom season here is lovely. We suggest stopping partway through your itinerary to take photos before heading on to Central Green Plaza.
Azabudai Hills Gallery: A Space for Art and Architecture Exhibitions
Azabudai Hills Gallery holds large-scale art and architecture exhibitions from time to time, and past shows have featured Olafur Eliasson and Alexander Calder. From August 28 to October 25, 2026, it hosts the “AMBIENT KYOTO – TOKYO” exhibition. Admission varies by exhibition, so please check the official website for the latest information.
Even if the current exhibition doesn’t interest you, you can still enjoy the architecture of the exhibition space.
How to Get to Azabudai Hills: A Complete Guide to Routes and Fares
Azabudai Hills is located in Azabudai 1-chome, Minato City, Tokyo, right next to Roppongi and Toranomon. It is a mixed-use urban development that opened at the end of 2023.
You can walk there from Roppongi, Toranomon and the area around Tokyo Tower, and there are plenty of transport options. Below are the routes and fares for the subway, buses, taxis and walking, so you can choose the fastest and cheapest option based on where you are staying.
Getting to Azabudai Hills at a Glance
🚇 Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Kamiyacho Station: Exit 5 connects directly, so you stay dry on rainy days.
🚇 Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, Roppongi-itchome Station: about a 4-minute walk, convenient if you also plan to visit Roppongi.
🚌 Several bus routes (including Minato City community buses) serve the area. Please check the official transport information for routes and stop names.
🚕 You can take a taxi straight to the entrance, and you can call one with GO or Uber.
🚶 Walking to Tokyo Tower takes about 15 to 18 minutes. It suits a city walk but is inconvenient in the rain.
What Are the Must-See Spots at Azabudai Hills? The Observation Deck and teamLab Explained
The Mori JP Tower observation deck and teamLab Borderless are the two biggest highlights of Azabudai Hills, and you shouldn’t skip either.
Mori JP Tower Observation Deck: Sky Lobby Views Over All of Tokyo
The Sky Lobby on the 33rd floor of Mori JP Tower is a viewing space in Japan’s tallest skyscraper, with views of Tokyo Tower and the surrounding streets. General visitors need to spend at the Sky Room Cafe & Bar on the 34th floor to be admitted to the Sky Lobby.
- 🎫 Minimum spend of about ¥850 for a drink
- 🎫 Plus a ¥500 entry fee per person
At Sky Room Cafe & Bar you only need to order one drink to stay and enjoy the night view. We suggest arriving before sunset in the early evening so you can catch both daytime and night views, as well as the “magic hour” in between. Reservations are not accepted, so please check the opening hours before you go.
teamLab Borderless: Opening Hours, Ticket Prices and Reservations
- 🕘 Opening hours: Usually open 8:30-21:00 (last entry 1 hour before closing); closed on 10/20, 11/24 and 12/8 in 2026
- 🎫 Tickets: Adults (18 and over) from ¥3,600 (variable pricing) / ages 13-17 ¥2,800 / children (ages 4-12) ¥1,500 / ages 3 and under free; tickets bought on site cost an additional ¥200
- 📌 Tickets are sold by reserved date and time slot and often sell out. The only official sales channels are the official website and KLOOK.
- 🔗 teamLab Borderless Azabudai Hills (麻布台ヒルズ) official website
Central Green Plaza: Yoshitomo Nara’s Public Art and Tokyo Tower Views
Central Green Plaza permanently displays a large public sculpture by the artist Yoshitomo Nara, a favorite photo spot for many travelers. The work is “Tokyo no Mori no Ko” (東京の森の子, “Child of the Tokyo Forest”). According to Bijutsu Techo’s 2023 opening report, it is a bronze sculpture about 7 meters tall with a tree-like head, the eighth piece in Nara’s “Child of the Forest” series and the largest in the series so far. It is also his first permanent outdoor sculpture in Tokyo, so it is worth a special trip for anyone who wants to see Nara’s work.
The plaza’s view toward Tokyo Tower is the most unobstructed vantage point in the whole complex. You can picnic on the lawn during the day, and the evening light show is also worth staying for.
The plaza is open year-round and free to enter. It is the first stop we recommend for a relaxed half-day itinerary, and when you get tired of shopping you can come back here at any time to rest and recharge before exploring the other floors.
Azabudai Hills Market: A Paradise of Premium Groceries and Fresh Food
Azabudai Hills Market is on B1F of Garden Plaza C and is the best place to pick up souvenirs and prepared food and bento boxes.
- 🛍️ Covers about 4,000 square meters, and the official website says it brings together 34 specialty shops covering produce, meat, seafood, bread, sweets and alcohol
- 🛍️ It includes the Meidi-ya Azabudai Store (明治屋麻布台ストアー) supermarket, so start here if you want water, snacks and daily necessities
- 🍽️ Everything from seasonal produce selected from all over Japan to handmade bread
According to the official website, opening hours are 10:00 to 20:00 (varies by shop). Please plan your visit around each shop’s hours.
Central Green Plaza: The “Urban Village in the City” Concept in Practice
Central Green Plaza is a concrete expression of the overall “Modern Urban Village” concept of Azabudai Hills. It links the cluster of high-rise buildings with greenery, walkways and a stepped plaza, easing the oppressive feel of the urban concrete jungle.
Strolling here, you can sense the spatial planning in which Heatherwick Studio’s low-rise buildings interweave with greenery and walkways, a route that architecture lovers should not miss.
Garden Plaza A: A Local-Favorite Spot with Free Views of Tokyo Tower
Compared with the crowds at Central Green Plaza, the Garden Plaza A level offers another, lesser-known angle on Tokyo Tower. You can take photos freely without spending anything, which suits travelers who want to avoid the crowds and take their time framing shots.
This area is close to several boutique clothing and lifestyle shops, so stopping by to take photos while you shop can save a lot of time waiting in line for photos, and it is especially good in the early evening as the lights come on.
Azabudai Christmas Market: European Winter Atmosphere
Every winter (roughly late November to December 25), Central Green Plaza turns into a European-style Christmas market, with wooden stalls selling mulled wine, Christmas trinkets and seasonal sweets, plus a lighting ceremony for a giant Christmas tree. It is a romantic Tokyo winter-only spot.
The market is usually free to enter (some food and drink costs extra). We suggest going after dusk to enjoy the atmosphere under the lights, and it is a popular choice for couples and families. Remember to check the official website in advance for the exact dates each year.
Architecture and Space Design Tour: Designs by Heatherwick Studio and the Pelli Team
Azabudai Hills was developed under the leadership of Mori Building. The exterior was designed by the late Cesar Pelli and Fred Clarke, while the low-rise section was designed by Thomas Heatherwick of Heatherwick Studio, whose signature lattice framework defines its look.
We suggest planning a walking route from Garden Plaza A through Sakuraazabu Street to Central Green Plaza, looking closely at the materials and the play of light and shadow in the different buildings along the way, which will give you a deeper understanding of the core design concept of an “urban village in the city.”
Azabudai Hills Shopping Guide: Must-Visit Brands and Popular Shops
The 1st floors of Garden Plazas A to C bring together international luxury brands and popular restaurants, making them the key floors for shopping. Based on the shop information on the Azabudai Hills official website, brands are roughly distributed as follows:
- 👜 Garden Plaza B 1F: BVLGARI, BOTTEGA VENETA and Saint-Louis, with CELINE on 1F and 2F; on 2F of the same building are the fragrance brands FUEGUIA 1833, davines and THANN
- 💎 Garden Plaza C 1F: Hermès, Dior, Cartier, Officine Universelle Buly
- ⌚ Garden Plaza A 1F: BERLUTI and TimeVallée; on B1F is teamLab Sketch Factory, the merchandise shop for teamLab Borderless
- 👕 Tower Plaza 2F: Theory, UNITED ARROWS WOMEN’S STORE, lululemon, UGG, DENHAM, NOSE SHOP and other fashion and fragrance select shops
- 🏠 Tower Plaza 3F and 4F: THE CONRAN SHOP TOKYO on 3F, and Kaneko Optical, Ohgaki Shoten bookstore and MARK’S STYLE on 4F
For shopping at Azabudai Hills, we suggest first browsing the luxury brands around Garden Plaza, then heading to Tower Plaza 2F to 4F for clothing and lifestyle goods, and finally going to the Market in the basement of Garden Plaza C for souvenirs and prepared food.
According to the official website, shops are open 11:00 to 20:00 and the Market 10:00 to 20:00, though actual hours vary by shop. Below are a few more popular shops worth visiting and buying from.
Échiré L’Atelier du Beurre: A Sweets Shrine for French Butter Artisans
Échiré L’Atelier du Beurre is the directly operated sweets shop in Japan of the famous French cultured-butter brand Échiré. It specializes in croissants, financiers and butter cookies made with Échiré butter, and the shop offers freshly baked pastries as well as cookie boxes packaged as souvenirs.
The signature butter cookie gift box is the most popular souvenir choice, with a rich, layered buttery aroma. There is often a line when the shop opens, so we suggest going on a weekday morning or outside peak meal times to cut the wait and get the freshest pastries.
% ARABICA: A Coffee Shop from Kyoto with Long Lines
% ARABICA originated in Kyoto and is known for its minimalist white interiors and signature latte art. Azabudai Hills has two branches, and the one on the 4th floor of Tower Plaza lets you sip coffee while looking out over Tokyo Tower, making it a popular photo spot.
The signature latte uses the shop’s own roasted beans and has a delicate, silky foam. Avoid the line peak on weekend afternoons; going right after opening on a weekday is the smoothest.
Pelican Cafe: Charcoal-Grilled Toast from an Asakusa Bakery
Pelican Cafe grew out of the Pelican bakery in Asakusa, which has more than 70 years of history. The branch at Azabudai Hills specializes in charcoal-grilled toast and ham sandwiches. The toast has a dense, soft texture and is a hidden gem among Tokyo food lovers.
The signature charcoal-grilled toast with butter and jam is simple but full of flavor, while the ham toast is seasoned with a rich mustard sauce. There are not many seats, so we suggest avoiding the lunch rush to enjoy this long-established Tokyo taste at leisure.
HARBS: A Pilgrimage for Fruit Mille Crêpes Cake
HARBS Azabudai Hills is known for its signature fruit mille crêpes cake, with thin crêpe layers stacked with fresh seasonal fruit and fresh cream. Cut open, the cross-section shows colorful layers, and it is one of the sweets most often shared on social media.
Seasonal flavors such as strawberry and mango change with the season, and there is often a wait for a table at mealtimes, so we suggest going during off-peak afternoon tea hours (around 2 to 3 p.m.) for an easier seat.
Starbucks: A City-View Store Exclusive to Azabudai
The Starbucks at Azabudai Hills features large floor-to-ceiling windows, and in some seasons it offers Tokyo-exclusive merchandise such as cherry blossom or Christmas themed mugs and tumblers, making it a popular place for Starbucks fans to collect souvenirs.
Its appeal lies in how the interior space combines with the view outside. It suits a short break during shopping to sort through your purchases, and you can use the free in-store Wi-Fi to plan the next leg of your trip.
Nakamura Tokichi: A Century of Uji Matcha Craftsmanship
Nakamura Tokichi’s main shop was founded in Uji, Kyoto, and the Azabudai branch continues a century of tea-making craft. It specializes in matcha lattes, matcha parfaits and various matcha sweets, with carefully chosen tea leaves and a rich, lingering aroma, making it one of the must-visit shops for matcha lovers.
The Azabudai branch serves matcha drinks and sweets. There may be a wait at mealtimes and on holidays, so please check the situation on site.
Suzukake: The Gentle Sweetness of Japanese Confections
Suzukake (鈴懸) is a long-established Japanese confectionery shop. Its signature items are dorayaki and monaka (Suzu Monaka, すず最中), filled with sweet azuki beans from Hokkaido that are simmered to a moderate sweetness, a traditional treat that works as a gift or for yourself.
The gift boxes are elegantly packaged and suit older relatives as souvenirs. We suggest buying according to your itinerary needs.
SHOGUN BURGER: Ultimate Handcrafted Burgers
SHOGUN BURGER is on Tower Plaza 1F. It focuses on burgers and also offers original milkshakes, hand-held pizza and homemade desserts, a rare American-style spot in Azabudai Hills.
There are often lines at mealtimes, so we suggest avoiding the weekend peak from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Sembikiya: A Century-Old Name in Premium Fruit Desserts
Sembikiya’s main shop is known for its carefully selected premium fruit, and the Azabudai Hills branch offers fruit sandwiches, fruit parfaits and fresh-cut fruit plates, using the finest seasonal melons, strawberries and Muscat grapes. Prices are higher, but its quality is renowned throughout Japan.
It makes a special afternoon tea experience, and we suggest checking which fruits are in season before you go.
Universelle Buly: Customizable French Fragrance and Skincare
Universelle Buly is a century-old fragrance and skincare brand from Paris. The Azabudai Hills branch offers customization of its signature lip balm, with engraving on the spot or a choice of your own scent blend, in elegant vintage packaging that makes a fine luxury item as a gift or for yourself.
Plan the engraving you want in advance. The shop also sells scented candles and body care products, likewise with high-quality gift packaging.
Azabudai Torishiki: The Craft of Charcoal-Grilled Chicken
Azabudai Torishiki is a well-known charcoal-grilled chicken (yakitori) specialist inside Azabudai Hills Market. It uses carefully selected free-range chicken grilled over binchotan charcoal, giving tender, juicy meat, and it is a must-visit for fans of Japanese skewers.
Inside the Market, Azabudai Torishiki focuses on yakitori and chicken prepared foods, which suit eating as you browse. There may be a line at popular times.
Parlor Yazawa (パーラー矢澤): A Line-Worthy Premium Wagyu Croquette Stand
Parlor Yazawa (パーラー矢澤) is a popular prepared-food stall inside Azabudai Hills Market. Its signature items are croquettes and croquette sandwiches made with premium wagyu, with a crispy coating and a rich, juicy filling, the most convenient ready-to-eat treat while shopping.
It suits eating as you walk around. A line often forms soon after opening, so we suggest going just as it opens.
Kyoto Yaoichi: Select Produce from Kyoto Chosen by Artisans
Kyoto Yaoichi is a premium produce specialist inside Azabudai Hills Market, with seasonal vegetables and fruit delivered directly from Kyoto and around Japan, including Kyoto vegetables such as Kamo eggplant and kyomizuna. Its quality and freshness are trusted by home cooks and professional chefs alike.
Prices vary slightly by season and item, and most are mid-to-high-priced premium produce. It suits buying to enjoy back at your accommodation or as a souvenir, and the shop also offers some ready-to-eat cut produce plates so travelers can taste the pure sweetness of Kyoto vegetables on the spot.
Dashi Okume (出汁尾粂): Japanese Dashi and Dried Goods Select Shop
Dashi Okume (出汁尾粂) is a specialty shop for Japanese dashi ingredients and dried goods, selling bonito flakes, kelp, dried shiitake mushrooms and other carefully chosen Japanese-made dried goods, an excellent place to buy souvenirs if you love Japanese cooking.
Products range from small packs of a few hundred yen to select gift boxes costing over a thousand yen. The packaging is simple and high quality, suitable for taking home to make your own dashi, or as a thoughtful gift for a friend who loves cooking.
Yamakou Fresh Fish Shop (やま幸鮮魚店): Premium Seafood Sliced by Artisans
Yamakou Fresh Fish Shop (やま幸鮮魚店) is a fresh fish specialist inside Azabudai Hills Market. It features premium seafood such as bluefin tuna sliced to order and sashimi platters, cut on the spot by artisans to order, with freshness and fat distribution at the level of a top sushi restaurant.
The sashimi platters and ready-to-eat nigiri boxes suit taking back to your hotel room, a convenient way to buy the day’s seafood.
Hiyama WAGYU and Toritou: Premium Wagyu and Select Chicken Specialists
Hiyama WAGYU specializes in premium wagyu slices and ingredients for yakiniku, while Toritou is a long-established specialist in select chicken. Both are representative shops of the meat section inside Azabudai Hills Market and are favored by customers who care about ingredient quality.
The meat from both shops suits buying to cook yourself at your accommodation. Travelers who want to experience Japanese wagyu and chicken can stop by on the way.
Unagi Maehara: The Artisan’s Heat Control for Charcoal-Grilled Eel Rice
Unagi Maehara is a specialty shop devoted to charcoal-grilled eel dishes. It uses Japanese-raised eel grilled over charcoal in the traditional Kanto style, with a crisp, fragrant skin and tender flesh, and its signature eel rice is one of the most popular ready-to-eat bento boxes in Azabudai Hills Market.
The eel rice bento suits taking back to your accommodation for a hearty dinner, and also works as a convenient proper meal while shopping.
Azabudai Hills FAQ Roundup
Q: How much is a ticket to the Azabudai Hills observation deck?
The observation deck has no separate ticket. You need to spend at the Sky Room Cafe & Bar on the 34th floor, with a minimum of about ¥850 for a drink plus a ¥500 entry fee.
Q: Do I need to reserve teamLab Borderless in advance?
We strongly recommend reserving a timed ticket through the official website in advance. Tickets bought on site may be sold out or you may not be admitted, especially on holidays when it fills up more easily.
Q: What is the easiest way to get to Azabudai Hills?
Take the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line to Kamiyacho Station, where Exit 5 connects directly to Azabudai Hills. You stay dry in the rain, and it is also convenient when you have a lot of luggage.
Q: What are the opening hours of the shops at Azabudai Hills?
Most shops are open from 11:00 to 20:00, while restaurants and other facilities have hours that vary by shop.
Q: What time does Azabudai Hills Market open?
According to the official website, Azabudai Hills Market is open from 10:00 to 20:00 (varies by shop) and is located on B1F of Garden Plaza C.
Q: Is there a supermarket at Azabudai Hills?
Yes. The “Meidi-ya Azabudai Store” (明治屋麻布台ストアー) in the Market (Garden Plaza C B1F) is a supermarket-style grocery store run by Meidi-ya, with official opening hours listed as 10:00-20:00, and the same floor has fresh-food specialists such as Kyoto Yaoichi (produce), Hiyama WAGYU (meat) and Yamayuki Fresh Fish Shop (やまゆき鮮魚店). If you only want water, snacks or daily necessities, there is a 7-Eleven and the Sundrug drugstore on B1F of Residence B, and a Famima!! on Tower Plaza 4F.
Q: When is the best time to see cherry blossoms at Azabudai Hills?
Cherry blossoms usually bloom from late March to early April. The area around Central Green Plaza and Sakuraazabu Street are both recommended spots, and we suggest checking the bloom forecast for the year in advance.
Q: Can I bring large luggage to the Azabudai Hills observation deck?
Space at the observation deck is limited. We suggest leaving luggage in a station locker or at your accommodation, so you can travel light and enjoy the views and dining more comfortably.
