OSAMPO route２ starts from the popular Ebisu station in Tokyo
Ebisu Station→Meguro Station
We will visit the areas related to Yebisu Beer to find out the origin of the name of the Ebisu station. After Ebisu, we will visit two most popular places in Meguro, the botanical garden and the museum.
Start
Ebisu Station（JR Yamanote Line・Saikyo Line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line）
Goal
Meguro Station（JR Yamanote Line, Tokyu Meguro Line, Tokyo Metro Nanboku Line，Toei-Mita Line)
After learning the history of Ebisu at the Museum of Yebisu Beer, we will enjoy luxurious teatime at the Westin Tokyo Hotel. Experiencing old and new aspects of Ebisu, we will move on to Meguro area walking through Platinum Street in Shirokane. You will be impressed with the overwhelming scale of the Institute for the Nature Study and the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum.
Going out from the East Exit of JR Ebisu Station
go to right and there is a long moving walkway “Skywalk” extended to the Ebisu Garden Place. Go down the stairs at the right side of the Sapporo Breweries’ head office building, you will get to the the Museum of Yebisu Beer
. After learning the history of Ebisu, enjoy nice cold beer at the “Tasting Salon”. Go straight through the Ebisu Garden Place to The Westin Tokyo
. Let's enjoy gracious tea time in“The Lounge” and appreciate the deep green garden at the hotel. Coming out from the underground passage to Keyaki Square, go straight along the street and we will get to the place with Metropolitan Expressway overhead. Cross the street and you are at the foot of the Nitto-zaka. The Embassy of Zimbabwe and Matsuoka Museum are on the side on this small slope. At the top of the slope, there is the Platinum Street
.This street is a part of Gaien-nishi-Dori Avenue where the beautiful ginkgo trees lining and many Shirokane madams’ favorite shops line up. Take the Platinum Street to the right and a little before it hits the Meguro Street, there is an old folk house style Japanese noodle shop, Toshian
. Kamo-seiro (buckwheat noodles in soup with sliced duck meat) and Dashimaki (Japanese-style rolled omelette) are the popular menus. Many people stand in line for lunch, so it’s better to avoid lunch hours. Turn right at the big intersection of Meguro Street and soon the Institute for Nature Study
appears on your right. This is a botanical garden with giant trees which is very precious natural garden in Tokyo. You can take a stroll under the cool shade of the trees on hot summer days. Since the scale of the garden is so big, it will take time to see the whole thing. So, plan a tour according to your time and energy. Next door is the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
. It was built in 1933 with the finest skills of artisans of Japanese architecture. Here, you can appreciate the beautiful art deco style designs and interior of former Asaka Palace Residence. There are also a café and a shop you can drop in. Leaving the Museum, walk along the Meguro Street and go under the overhead Metropolitan Expressway, you’ll soon arrive at the goal, Meguro Station
.
Guide of Drop-in Spots
Symbols
見どころ・遊び場 highlight. Entertainment
レストラン・食事処 restaurant
カフェ・ドリンクスタンド cafe
買い物スポット shopping spot
宿泊施設 accommodations
見どころ・遊び場 highlight. Entertainment
レストラン・食事処 restaurant
カフェ・ドリンクスタンド cafe
買い物スポット shopping spot
宿泊施設 accommodations
Ebisu Station START
From JR Yamanote line, Ebisu Station East Exit From Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, No.1 Exit
Station for JR Yamanote line. Saikyo line and Shonan-shinjuku line also stop here. At the West Exit side, there is a subway station for Hibiya line. From the East Exit, long moving walkway “Skywalk” will take you to the Ebisu Garden Place. This station was built 120 years ago as the freight station for Nippon Beer Jozo Co., Ltd (current Sapporo Breweries Ltd.). Commercial song for Yebisu beer is the theme song of the movie “The Third Man” and is also used as the departure melody at the station.
Go out the East Exit of Ebisu Station, Ebisu Garden Place is to your right
End point of the “Skywalk” at the Ebisu Garden Place side
Museum of Yebisu Beer
Tracing the 130-year history of Yebisu
The site of the Ebisu Garden Place used to be the factory for Nippon Beer Jozo Co., Ltd (current Sapporo Breweries Ltd.). After the factory moved, you can still trace the history of the Yebisu Beer and find out how it became the cornerstone for the development of the town of Ebisu. The company celebrated its 130th anniversary last year. They have been brewing high quality beer following the German Reinheitsgebot (regulations limiting the ingredients in beer) and popular for premium beer from the beginning of their operation. Due to the protection of COVID-19 infection, tasting tour has been canceled but you can still taste beer at the “Tasting Salon”. There is also a shop where you can buy original goods.
Opening hour is shortened and tasting tour has been canceled for the further prevention of the infection and spread of CORVID-19
Smiling Ebisu-sama, a god of fortune, and the copper pot, actually been used, give you a big welcome
Right side of the copper pot is the “Tasting Salon” and the left side is the “Gallery”
The brewery was completed in Mita, Meguro in 1889.
Bottles, cans, old posters, signs, etc. are exhibited in the gallery
A old sign of Yebisu beer
You can taste a glass of beer for 400yen Yebisu coin at the “Tasting Salon”.
They offer 7 different brands of beer including monthly special. It is served on the coaster with the brand name and the characteristics of each beer.
“Tasting Salon” keeps social distance
At the shop, you will find a wide range of exclusive charming goods for souvenir
Museum of YEBISU BEER
Address
Yebisu Garden Place, 4-20-1 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku
Tel
03-5423-7255
Access
7 min walk from east Exit of JR Ebisu Sta.
Holidays
Monday (or on Tuesday if Monday is a holiday)
Hours
Hours 11:00-19:00(Tasting Salon Last Order 17:30) ＊for the time being -18:00 for prevention of coronavirus infection
Website
http://www.sapporobeer.jp
The Westin Tokyo，THE LOUNGE
Gracious teatime watching the natural garden
The Westin Tokyo is a luxurious hotel in the Ebisu Garden Place. Classical European style lounge “THE LOUNGE” in the lobby on the ground floor is a gracious space and you can enjoy the natural garden through the large glass windows. This garden was created to reproduce the natural ecosystem with over 300 plants and trees. You will appreciate a precious teatime tasting sweets made at the pastry kitchen in the hotel. They also serve authentic Italian pizza, pasta and alcohol. Afternoon tea set is also popular.
One of the landmarks of Ebisu, The Westin Hotel Tokyo
Solid marble pillars rise up to the 13-meter high ceiling
Summer limited fruit shortcake. Cake & drink set 1600yen (tax and service charge not included)
You can stroll in the garden freely, watch wild birds and enjoy the glimmer of fireflies during summer time
Going down an escalator in the lobby leads you to the underpass.
Go out the hotel entrance in the underpass connected to the Ebisu Garden Place, you will at the Keyaki Square
Go through the Keyaki Square enjoying beautiful flower bed, you will get to the street at the foot of the slope
The Westin Tokyo，THE LOUNGE
Address
1-4-1 Mita Meguro-ku
Tel
03-5423-7287
Closed
No holidays
Hours
10:00～22:00 ＊for the time being 12:00～21:00(Last admission) for prevention of coronavirus infection
Access
7 min walk from East exit of JR Ebisu Sta.
Website
http://www.theloungetokyo.com
Platinum Street
Fashionable street popular among Shiroganeze (Shirokane celebrity madams)
Climbing up the narrow Nitto-zaka Slope, you will get to the Platinum Street with a broad street and sidewalk. It is the part of the Gaien-nishi dori Avenue which is from Shirokane 6-chome intersecton to Shirokanedai intersection. Sky-reaching ginkgo trees lining up and many Shirokane madams’ favorite shops are there.
Matsuoka Museum on the top of the Nitto-zaka (now closed)
The point the Nitto-zaka hits the Platinum Street is the West Gate of the Institute of Medical Science, the University of Tokyo
Row of big ginkgo trees. Leaves turn gold in autumn
Street is lined with stylish cafés, restaurants, boutiques and trendy shops
Platinum Street
Address
4-chome and 5-chome, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku
Access
3 min walk from 1st. exit of Tokyo metro Nanboku line and Toei Mita line Shirokanedai Sta.
Toshian（Soba noodle）
Popular Japanese noodle shop where many people stands in line
Walk the Platinum Street and a little before hitting the Meguro Street, there stands the popular Soba noodle shop. Kamo seiro (buckwheat noodles served with sliced duck meat in the soup) and Dshimaki (Japanese style rolled omelet) are the popular menu items. People often line up during the lunch and dinner time. Due to the protection of COVID-19 infection, they have less seats now, so it’s better to avoid the busy hours. Warabimochi (bracken-starch dumpling) for take-out is super delicious, too.
Nostalgic old folk house noodle shop “Toshian” invites you to step in
The most popular “Kamo-seiro, 2000yen. Savory thick slices of duck meat
Plenty of soup stock is used for making soft and smooth “Dashimaki”.
Let’s enjoy the menu in the relaxing and calm atmosphere of the Japanese buckwheat-noodle shop
Toshian
Address
5-17-2 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku
Tel
03-3444-1741
Closed
Monday and Tuesday
Hours
11:30-19:30
Access
3 min walk from Exit 1 of Tokyo metro Nanboku line and Toei Mita line Shirokanedai Sta.
Institute for Nature Study
Stroll under the several hundred-year old giant trees
The size of the garden is as big as 4.2 Tokyo Domes and you can feel the nice cool breeze under the shade of the giant trees in summer time. It has a diverse assortment of vegetation and each plant has a plate with its name. In Muromachi era, it was the site of the residence of powerful family called “Millionair of Shirokane” and the trace of earthworks still remains. Later on, the ground became the feudal lord Takamatsu’s estate, then it was used for gunpowder storage for army and finally it became the Imperial estate. History of the ground shows how the natural environment had been conserved. This precious botanical garden with old giant-tree forest and marshland were preserved as natural as possible. It has been managed carefully as the natural monument and historic site. The scale of the garden is so huge and there are various areas to see, you must check the spots you want to visit on the map before you start off.
When the lush greenery along the street gets thicker, you are at the entrance of the Institute for Nature Study garden.
Buy a ticket at the vending machine to enter.
The most exciting part is to see the several hundreds year old giant trees
You can enjoy varied scenes in the garden with abundant vegetation, various kinds of insects and birds
Walk around and enjoy the forest bathing.
If you don’t want to get bitten by bugs, be sure to take insect repellent spray.
Institute for Nature Study
Address
Address 5-21-5 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku
Tel
03-3441-7176
Closed
Monday (but open if Monday is a national holiday) The day after a public holiday (but open if the public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday)
Admission
￥320, Free for High-school students and younger Seniors (65 and over)
Hours
September 1 to April 30：9:00 -16:30 (visitors are admitted until 16:00) May 1 to August 31：9:00 -17:00 (visitors are admitted until 16:00)
Access
9 min walk from East Exit of JR Meguro Sta., 9 min walk from Chuo Exit of Tokyu-Mekama line Meguro Sta., 7 min walk from Exit 1 of Tokyo metro Nanboku line and Toei Mita line Shirokanedai Sta.
Website
http://www.ins.kahaku.go.jp/
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
A luxurious architecture of the former Palace Residence.
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum is surrounded by the lush greenery of the Institute for Nature Study garden. The main building was built in 1933 as the residence for Prince and Princess Asaka. It is said to be the masterpiece of the elite architect group, the Construction Bureau of Imperial Household Ministry, which undertook the constructions of Imperial Court. It was built in the Art Deco style which Prince and Princess were enchanted during their stay in France. Interior designs were done by the famous designers such as Henri Rapin and René Lalique. Princess designed a few of interior decorations herself, too. The garden has 3 main areas. A large Lawn, Japanese garden and European garden. There are restaurant, café and museum shop.
The main building of the residence of Prince and Princess Asaka was built in 1933. It is designated as a National Important Culture Property.
The glass relief door at the entrance was designed by a French artist, René Lalique.
Guest rooms are on the ground floor and you can see the big perfume towers in the next room.
Living space is on the second floor. Japanese and French Art Deco decorations add a quaint atmosphere.
Lightings and interior design of all the rooms are different. Originality and uniqueness of each room is impressive.
Some were designed by the Princess.
There are elaborate designs seen at the fireplace and on the ventilation covers in the room.
Café garden in the new building. Let’s taste the sweets made by the patissier and enjoy the garden view.
Plenty of matcha is used in “Matcha Opera” cake, 750 yen(tax not included) Iced coffee 600yen (tax not included).
You can purchase goods with the designs used in the residence at the museum shop “Lumiere”.Original notebook 590yen(tax not included). Marking Clip 500yen(tax not included).
English Guidebook is also sold at the shop.
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
Address
5-21-9 Shirokanedai Minato-ku
Tel
050-5541-8600
Closed
2nd. and 4th. Wednesday. (However, open if the day falls on a national holiday, then closed on the following day.)
Hours
10:00-18:00（Last admission at 17:30.)
Admission
varies depending on the exhibition. Garden admission fees Adults: ¥200
Access
Access 7 min walk from east exit of JR Meguro Sta., 7 min walk from Main Gate of Tokyu-Meguro line Meguro Sta. 6 min walk from Exit 1 of Tokyo metro Namboku line and Toei Mita line Shirokanedai Sta.
Website
https://www.teien-art-museum.ne.jp/en/
Meguro Station （GOAL!）
Use East Exit of Meguro Station, JR Yamanote line
In addition to the JR Yamanote line, Meguro Station is the starting station for Tokyu Mekama line, Tokyo Metro Nanboku line and Toei Mita line. Meguro Station is not located in Meguro-ward but in Osaki, Shinagawa-ward.
Meguro station is located in Shinagawa-ward, not in Meguro-ward.
It’s the station for JR Yamanote Line and also for three other lines.
