Marunouchi, Commercial district between Tokyo Station and Imperial Palace, Japan
Marunouchi is a commercial district between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda-ku, Japan, where high-rise office buildings, hotels, and shopping centers cluster together. Streets run in a grid pattern, connecting glass and steel towers with underground passages full of shops and restaurants.
The government used this area for military facilities after the Meiji Restoration until Mitsubishi bought the land in 1890 and began building red brick office blocks. The district was rebuilt several times over the following decades, especially after earthquakes and war, creating the modern high-rises seen today.
The name means inside the castle and refers to its position between the Imperial Palace and the bay, with wide avenues now lined by modern towers. Walking through the streets, you see office workers in formal attire flooding the restaurants and cafes during lunch hours.
Visitors reach the district directly from Tokyo Station and can walk to most destinations or use the air-conditioned underground passages. The best times to explore are mornings or early evenings when shops are open and fewer commuters are around.
On weekends, some main streets become pedestrian zones where families and tourists stroll between shops and cafes. The district also holds several underground levels that stretch for multiple blocks, connecting thousands of people in any weather.
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