The world’s biggest city: Tokyo. According to 2010 statistics compiled by the United Nations, the greater Tokyo area is home to 36.7 million people. Second is Delhi in India with 22.6 million, followed by Sao Paolo, Brazil, with 20.3 million. New York places fourth with 19.4 million. And when it comes to economic scale, Tokyo outstrips New York with a GDP of $1.5 trillion to New York’s $1.4 trillion. The GDP for the entire nation of Canada is about the same as Tokyo’s. Despite the long economic slump and the low birthrate in Japan, Tokyo remains a formidable, dynamic force. This is where new businesses begin, trends start and people flow. There are many different sections to Tokyo’s downtown, and each one of these sections has its own flair and uniqueness. That’s a big part of this city’s charm. Below, we map out some of the best-known downtown areas and list a few popular spots. Whether you’re traveling for pleasure or business, drop in one of these establishments next time you are in town.

Ginza, Shinbashi, Yurakucho area
Ginza occupies Japan’s most expensive land. The main streets are lined with boutiques and stores featuring the world’s top brands. Head down the side streets and you’ll find everything from the finest restaurants to food stalls under the railroad tracks. On weekday nights, the streets are alive with local businesspeople having a drink or a meal after work. But Saturday nights on the Ginza can be quiet affairs. The neighborhood is often filled with people from the financial industry in nearby Nihonbashi and government offices in Kasumigaseki, which means men in suits and ties and women in conservative office attire.

XEX Atago Green Hills  - Restaurant and bar lounge
A wonderful spot to view the lights of Tokyo a bit away from the Ginza is XEX Atago Green Hills. You’ll find a  Japanese restaurant, Italian restaurant and bar/lounge here. The lounge features live jazz on the weekends.
www.ystable.co.jp/restaurant/xexatago | 03-5777-0065 | Atago 2-5-1 42F

Aburiyaki & Sushi An (left) and The Bar (right) - XEX Atago Green Hills
Photo © Y’s table corporation

Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premium - Hotel
This conveniently located hotel has rooms that gaze out upon the city lights and dynamic interiors. Try out the “view bathroom” rooms, where the cityscape can be seen from the bathroom. The hotel restaurants are popular. The chain’s Shiodome hotel also boasts large bathrooms with a view.
www.gardenhotels.co.jp/eng/ginzapremier | 03-3543-1131 | Ginza 8-13-1

Lobby (left) and view bathroom (right) of Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premium
Photo © Mitsui Garden Hotel

Shibuya, Harajuku area
If Ginza is Tokyo’s classy and formal neighborhood, Shibuya is the capital city’s edgy and casual playground. Suits and formal wear are in the minority here; instead, the streets are populated with young people donning the latest fashions. The businesspeople here tend to work in the IT industry or for foreign firms with more casual dress policies, giving the neighborhood a more playful air. Exit the station and cross the world-famous traffic scramble -- one of the busiest places on Earth -- and you’ll find 109, a mecca of Shibuya fashion. While Shibuya delivers the mainstream youth fashion, neighboring Harajuku is home to Gothic Lolita and other fashion subcultures. This is where youth looking for edgy fashion flock. The hip 6%DOKIDOKI, featured in this issue, also has its home here.

clubasia - Club and live house
This club and live house has been popular since the 1990s. The place features DJs and live performances every weekend. Check the website <http://www.clubasia.co.jp/> for details.The club features everything from hip-hop to techno. It’s also in the heart of Shibuya’s club and lounge district.
www.asia.iflyer.jp/venue | 03-5458-2551 | Maruyama-cho 1-8

clubasia entrance
Photo © Culture of Asia

Shinjuku area
Shinjuku has two very different looks. The east side features the bustling entertainment center of Kabukicho, while the west side is home to skyscrapers. Kabukicho has a reputation for trouble, a hangout for organized crime, so it’s not recommended for families, but groups of adults will find little to worry about. There are lots of cheap bars and karaoke rooms, which draw plenty of students. To the west, Shinjuku is all business, with tall office buildings dominating the neighborhood.

Shinjuku Sumitomo building - Restaurants complex
This is one of the tall office buildings on the west side. From floors 48 to 52, the building has 22 bars and restaurants. At lunchtime on a clear day, you can see Mt. Fuji from here. At night, the restaurants looking east show off Shinjuku’s neon-dotted skyline.
www.gnavi.co.jp/sumitomobldg | 03-3344-6356 | Nishi-Shinjuku 2-6-1

Park Hyat Tokyo - Hotel
This high-end hotel is on Shinjuku’s west side. It’s most famous for being featured in the film Lost in Translation. The New York Bar on the top floor features live jazz and stunning views.
www.tokyo.park.hyatt.com | 03-5322-1234 | Nishi Shinjuku 3-7-1-2

Akasaka, Aoyama area
These neighborhoods are popular with Tokyo’s yuppie set. A lot of the major TV networks, talent agencies, ad agencies and music labels are located here. You’re likely to see TV celebrities in the area’s bars and restaurants.

Super Dining ZIPANGU Akasaka - Restaurant and cigar bar
This 300-seat restaurant and bar occupies the top floor of the Akasaka Excel Hotel. This centrally located, stylish restaurant features mostly Japanese cuisine and a price that doesn’t shock, considering the setting. The bar offers an extensive selection of sake and shochu.Some people move to the cigar bar after their meal for a leisurely smoke.
http://www.nadaman.co.jp/akasaka | 03-3580-3661 | Nagata-cho 2-14-3

Roppongi, Azabu area
This neighborhood features more foreign visitors perhaps due to the many embassies located here. It features many clubs and live houses. The extensive Roppongi Hills complex opened here in 2003. It features a TV network, cinema complex, event space, the Mori Art Museum and the offices of several famous companies.

Muse - Club
This multi-use club is located in Nishi Azabu. It features several bars and dance floors, a billiards hall and private karaoke rooms.
http://www.muse-web.com | 03-5467-1180 | Nishi-azabu 4-1-1 B1

MADO Lounge - Restaurant and bar lounge
This restaurant and bar lounge is located on the 52nd floor of the Roppongi Hills skyscraper. Live music and club events are often hosted here, attracting the young professional crowd.
www.ma-do.jp | 03-3470-0052 | Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 52F

MADO Lounge in Roppongi Hills
Photo ©  MADO Lounge

Lounge Bar 911 - Club
This might just be Roppongi’s most well-known and crowded club. It’s free to get in and is often packed on the weekends. It’s a fun place to stop if you want to be where the action is.
03-5772-8882 | Roppongi 3-14-12 B1

Roppongi ViVi - Capsule Hotel
A capsule hotel in the middle of Roppongi, perfect if you’re pulling a nighter partying and want to end the day with a quintessential Japanese experience. There are separate floors for men and women, and each floor features a large bath, a cafe, an esthetic salon and massage services.
www.roppongi-vivi.com | 03-3404-4126 | Roppongi 5-5-1 4F

Tsukiji, Tsukishima area
This is the part of Tokyo known as the old downtown, dating back to the Edo Era (1603-1868). The area has a family-friendly, fun atmosphere. There are also many shrines and temples here, as well as the world-famous Tsukiji fish market. Cross Katsudoki Bridge from Tsukiji to enter Tsukishima, famous for its downtown specialty monjayaki, a pan-fried batter with various ingredients. Once you exit the Tsukishima Station, you’ll see sign after sign for these restaurants.

Sushizanmai Honten  - Restaurant
This 24-hour sushi restaurant has lines out the door even in the middle of the night. It’s a popular place for people to dine on fresh fish from nearby Tsukiji market at an affordable price.
http://www.kiyomura.co.jp | 03-3541-1117 | Tsukiji 4-11-9

Kintame - Restaurant
This restaurant in the Monzennakacho neighborhood serves Kyoto-style chazuke (green-tea rice porridge). It’s located along the route to the famous Fukagawa Fudo Hall. The family-friendly house specialty  features pickled vegetables and fish on top of rice, bathed in a green-tea soup. Kintame offers a wide variety of pickles, as well as tasty grilled fish, especially the black cod. The restaurant evokes the Edo Era, complete with its long lines of hungry patrons.
www.kintame.co.jp | 03-3641-4561 | Koto-ku Tomioka 1-14-3