Today I would like to introduce one of my favorite walking routes in Tokyo.
It starts from Hamamatsucho Station, passes through Zojoji Temple and Tokyo Tower, and ends at Tamachi Station.
The entire walk takes about 30–40 minutes, but along the way you can experience temples, history, great photo spots, and a hidden restaurant street that many travelers do not know about.
Walking Route Summary
This walking route connects several famous and hidden places in Tokyo.
Route overview
1️⃣ Hamamatsucho Station
↓ 5-8 minutes
2️⃣ Daimon Gate
↓ 3-5 minutes
3️⃣ Zojoji Temple
↓ 3-5 minutes
4️⃣ Tokyo Tower
↓ 16-17 minutes
5️⃣ Keio University
↓ 3-5 minutes
6️⃣ Keio Nakadori – A Hidden Food Street
Walking time:
30–40 minutes
Difficulty:
Easy
Best time:
sunset
What You Can Experience on This Walk
- Visiting Zojoji Temple and learning about Buddhist culture
- Seeing Tokyo Tower up close
- Discovering a quieter, less touristy side of Tokyo
- Climbing the famous steps of Atago Shrine
- Local restaurant street in Tamachi
This route becomes even more meaningful when you understand the cultural background of shrines and temples — learn more in our Japanese Culture Guide.
Starting at Hamamatsucho Station
Hamamatsucho Station is the final stop of the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda Airport.
Many international visitors arrive here after landing in Tokyo.
This area is also part of Tokyo’s bay district.
If you walk a little toward the waterfront, you will reach Takeshiba Pier.
From Takeshiba, ships depart for the beautiful Izu Islands, which are officially part of Tokyo.
When you exit the North Exit of Hamamatsucho Station, walk to the left.
You will quickly reach Daimon Station.
At this point, you will probably already see Tokyo Tower in the distance.
Because the tower is so large, it naturally becomes your landmark, so it is almost impossible to get lost.
Daimon Gate and the Feng Shui of Edo
After walking about three minutes you will arrive at the Daimon intersection.
If you continue straight toward Tokyo Tower, you will soon see the famous Daimon Gate.
This gate was originally the main entrance to Zojoji Temple.
During the Edo period it was moved to this location to spiritually protect Edo Castle.
This placement was influenced by feng shui beliefs.
In traditional East Asian thought, certain directions were believed to bring negative energy or evil spirits.
In Japan, the character for “oni” (demon) symbolizes misfortune, so sacred places such as temples were positioned to protect the city.
Many parts of Edo’s urban planning were influenced by these beliefs.
Zojoji Temple – 600 Years of History
Just past the gate you will find the entrance to Zojoji Temple. The entrance is currently under construction, but you can still go inside.
This temple has more than 600 years of history and is closely connected with Tokugawa Ieyasu, the samurai leader who built Edo into the center of Japan.
Today Zojoji is one of the largest temples in Tokyo.
One of the most impressive views here is the main hall with Tokyo Tower rising behind it.
Every time I visit this place, the scale of the scenery makes me feel the vastness of the world—and my own smallness within it.
Thousands of Jizo Statues
Inside the temple grounds you will also see the famous thousands of Jizo statues.
These statues represent Jizo Bosatsu, a guardian deity for children.
Many of them wear small red hats and colorful windmills that spin gently when the wind blows.
It is a peaceful and emotional place that many visitors remember long after their visit.
Zojoji Temple Treasures
During my visit there was also a special exhibition at the temple.
One highlight was a model of the Taitoku-in Mausoleum, which belongs to the British Royal Collection and has been loaned to Zojoji thanks to the kindness of Charles III. Unfortunately, photography was not permitted, so I couldn’t take any pictures.
Another remarkable work displayed at the temple is part of the Five Hundred Arhats paintings created by the Edo-period artist Kano Kazunobu.
This series consists of 100 silk paintings depicting 500 Buddhist disciples.
Each painting contains around five figures and together they form the complete set.
The level of detail and color is extraordinary.
I hope one day to see the entire collection displayed together.
The exhibition changes over time, so I plan to check again whenever I visit the temple.
As a souvenir of my visit, I received a commemorative clear file, which became a nice memory of the day.
Walking from Zojoji Temple to Tokyo Tower
From Zojoji Temple there are two ways to reach Tokyo Tower.
Route 1 – Temple Side Path
You can walk along the side road next to the temple.
Route 2 – Shiba Park
Alternatively, you can walk through Shiba Park, which offers different photo spots with the tower.
We head up the stairs at the far end of the plaza.
At the top of the stairs is an even larger plaza where many people are relaxing on the lawn. I think this spot makes for a great photo opportunity as well.
If you walk to the far end of the square, you’ll find a bench next to a heart-shaped sculpture. Use this bench as a landmark; continue down the path until you reach a set of stairs. Go down the stairs and turn left to arrive at the Tokyo Tower Sakashita intersection.
Both routes take about the same amount of time, but the park route is great for photography.
Arriving at Tokyo Tower
After a short walk you will reach Tokyo Tower.
On clear days, the observation deck offers incredible views of Tokyo including:
- Rainbow Bridge
- Roppongi Hills
- Tokyo Skytree
- Mount Fuji
There is also a taxi stand nearby, which makes it easy to move to other areas of the city.
At the base of the tower, the famous Tokyo Tower Shita photo spot is often crowded with young visitors taking pictures.
Walking to Tamachi – A Hidden Local Area
Next I headed toward Tamachi Station, an area that most travelers rarely visit.
It’s a common sight: groups of go-karts participating in Mario Kart-themed events drive through the streets in this neighborhood.
Soon you will pass Akabanebashi Station, another station often used by people visiting Tokyo Tower.
The road continues straight, and if you look back you can take a wonderful photo of Tokyo Tower rising at the end of the street.
Keio University
After about ten minutes of walking you will see the east gate of Keio University.
The university was founded by Fukuzawa Yukichi, who appeared on the Japanese 10,000-yen banknote for many years.
Some of the red brick buildings on the campus are registered cultural properties, and visitors are free to walk around the campus.
Keio Nakadori – A Hidden Food Street
Now we arrive at the highlight for hungry travelers.
Because there are not many restaurants around Tokyo Tower, I walked to Keio Nakadori Street, a local restaurant district near Tamachi.
The entrance is next to the 7-Eleven at the Mita 2-chome intersection.
This street is full of restaurants and bars that grew together with the students of Keio University.
You can find many types of food here:
- traditional izakaya pubs
- ramen shops
- yakiniku restaurants
- chain restaurants
- rice ball shops
It is a great place to experience everyday Japanese food culture.
For travelers visiting Tokyo Tower, this is a hidden dinner spot within walking distance.
Ending the Walk
After passing through the shopping street you will soon reach:
- Tamachi Station (JR Yamanote Line)
- Mita Station (Subway)
Both stations make it easy to continue exploring Tokyo.
Best Photo Spots on This Walk
This walking route also offers several great photo locations.
Zojoji Temple and Tokyo Tower
The most famous photo is the view of **Tokyo Tower rising behind the main hall of Zojoji Temple.
The contrast between the traditional temple and the modern tower is one of the most iconic scenes in Tokyo.
Tokyo Tower Base Street
Near the base of Tokyo Tower there is a popular street where many young visitors take photos.
Looking up from this street gives you a powerful view of the tower.
Akabanebashi Street View
Near Akabanebashi Station, the road stretches straight toward Tokyo Tower.
This perspective makes the tower appear even taller and is perfect for photography.
Editor’s Note
Interestingly, Tamachi Station is only one stop away from Hamamatsucho on the Yamanote Line.
But walking allows you to discover things you would never notice from the train—local streets, hidden restaurants, and unexpected views.
Exploring a little beyond famous tourist spots is often the most rewarding part of traveling.
One reason I recommend this stroll is that most travelers visit Tokyo Tower and then immediately move on to another destination.
That feels like missing out on one of the true joys of visiting Tokyo Tower. I recommend taking in the night view of Tokyo Tower after dinner in the Keio Nakadori area.
It has a completely different charm from the daytime view and is especially popular with couples. Bars in nearby hotels where you can enjoy a drink while gazing at the night view have become popular date spots. If you have some extra time, this is a spot I highly recommend you experience.
A Quiet Garden Near Hamamatsucho
Behind Hamamatsucho Station you can also visit Kyu-Shiba-Rikyu Gardens.
This traditional garden is not widely known, but it offers a peaceful place to relax.
If you have just arrived from a long flight at Haneda Airport, it can be a perfect way to refresh yourself after being in the airplane for many hours.
There are also coin lockers at Hamamatsucho Station, so you can safely leave your luggage while exploring.
If you enjoy exploring Tokyo on foot, you might also like these walking routes.
FAQ
How long does it take to walk from Hamamatsucho Station to Tokyo Tower?
The walk from Hamamatsucho Station to Tokyo Tower takes about 15–20 minutes depending on the route. The walk passes through Daimon and Zojoji Temple.
Can you see Tokyo Tower from Hamamatsucho Station?
Yes. On clear days you can already see Tokyo Tower when walking toward Daimon. The tower acts as a landmark, so it is very difficult to get lost.
Is Zojoji Temple worth visiting?
Absolutely. Zojoji Temple is one of Tokyo’s most historic temples and is closely connected to Tokugawa Ieyasu. The temple also offers a famous view of Tokyo Tower rising behind the main hall.
Are there restaurants near Tokyo Tower?
There are not many restaurants directly around Tokyo Tower. However, if you walk about 10–15 minutes to Tamachi, you will find many restaurants on Keio Nakadori Street near Tamachi Station.
What is the Daimon Gate in Tokyo?
The Daimon Gate is the historical entrance gate to Zojoji Temple. During the Edo period it was placed there to spiritually protect Edo Castle according to traditional feng shui beliefs.
Is this walking route good for travelers arriving from Haneda Airport?
Yes. Since Hamamatsucho Station is the terminal station of the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda Airport, this walk is a great short sightseeing route right after arriving in Tokyo.
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