Villa Fontaine, Shinagawa hotels

Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward is home to a huge collection of corporate buildings. Fuji Electric and Isuzu are among top Japanese firms headquartered here, while Sony is one of several others with a research facility. For leisure tourists the main draw of this district is its excellent transport links and closeness to Odaiba Island.

The Hara Contemporary Art Museum is Shinagawa’s cultural flagship and houses numerous works including paintings by Karel Appel and Jackson Pollock, Miwa Yanagi photographs and sculptures by Aiko Miyawaki. Epson Aqua Park is another great Shinagawa destination. Shinagawa is a good base for visits to Teien Art Museum in nearby Meguro or the three museums on Odaiba.

Tennozu Isle is an easy walk from Shinagawa. The isle features a good assortment of hotels, shops, eateries and venues to enjoy sports. It also has lots of modern apartment blocks. From Tennozu Isle Monorail Station, the Rinkai Line crosses Tokyo Bay to Odaiba Island. The view from the trains is amazing and the sight of a copy of the Statue of Liberty tells passengers they have arrived on Odaiba.

The Maritime Museum, the Miraikan Science Museum and the Trick Art Museum are all on Odaiba. Tokyo Leisureland is a fun-themed complex with the likes of a bowling alley, a video gaming arcade and karaoke ensuring all comers are catered for. Venus Fort Mall is designed to look like the Venice of old and is a paradise for shoppers.

Shinagawa provides visitors with a nice choice of places to eat and go for a night out. Japanese restaurants serve up tasty and cheap noodle soups. There are plenty of locations for a special meal of sushi or sukiyaki as well. Themed pubs like the Dubliner Irish Bar and the 82Ale House serve beers and food such as cheese sandwiches, pizzas and salads.

There are convenience stores including 7-11s in Shinagawa plus shops selling pharmacy items and mobile telephones. For souvenir shopping as well as excursions to buy designer clothing and accessories it is better to travel over to Odaiba or north to Ginza.