Marunouchi (original) (raw)

Tokyo Station

Located between the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station, Marunouchi (�ۂ̓�) is one of Japan's most prestigious business districts. During the Edo Period (1603-1868), Marunouchi (literally "within the enclosure") was located within the outer moats of Edo Castle and contained the residences of some of Japan's most powerful feudal lords. Together with neighboring Otemachi, Marunouchi is now home to the headquarters of many of Japan's most powerful companies, particularly from the financial sector.

Over the past decades, Marunouchi has been receiving a major facelift, led by the Mitsubishi Estate company, which owns a lot of the land in the district. Many older office buildings were replaced by new skyscrapers with offices on their upper floors and a variety of shops and restaurants on their lower floors. These newly opened shopping and dining complexes have revitalized the formerly unexciting business district and are drawing an increased number of non-business visitors and tourists.

View of Marunouchi from the Imperial Palace

Marunouchi is bordered on the east by Tokyo Station, one of Japan's busiest railway stations and the terminal of multiple shinkansen lines. The station building on the Marunouchi side is a prominent red brick building, which dates from 1914 and was renovated in 2012 to its pre-war appearance. Besides travel services, it offers a hotel, restaurants and an art gallery.

The appearance of the opposite side of the station, the Yaesu Side, is more modern and features the Gran Roof, a bright, massive roof above the station entrances that is flanked by skyscrapers. Shopping and travel facilities within the station have also received a facelift in recent years. The product of all these works is the "Tokyo Station City" complex.

Shopping and dining

Museums

Other attractions

Marunouchi is located on the west side of Tokyo Station, which is served by several shinkansen lines, the JR Yamanote Line and various other urban and suburban train and subway lines. Nearby is Otemachi Station, which is served by five subway lines.

Orientation in Tokyo

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