Ebisu
Ebisu provides an elegant contrast to the brash and colourful personality of it's neighbour, Shibuya. A central location with access on the Yamanote Line makes this a restful and easy day out during your stay. Take the East exit and head towards the luxury end of town. The West exit has a more earthy and urban feel with local shops and restaurants to have a wander round.
Yebisu Garden Place
Why Yebisu, not Ebisu? This is a result of Portuguese influence on the language a couple of hundred years ago. The original Japanese word is Ebisu, but the Portuguese added the letter 'y' to several words to make them easier to say and recognize when using the Western phonetic sound system. Most of the signs you see on the East side show the spelling with a 'Y'. Whichever, they are one and the same place so you don't need to worry.
To get to Ebisu Garden Place you need to follow the Sky Walk which you can see on the right. This is a series of five moving walkways. Turn right outside the upstairs East exit of the Yamanote Line and you can't miss it. The other option is to come on the Hibiya subway line. In this case follow the signs for the JR exit. When you get to ground level you will see 2 escalators leading up to a building called Atre. Go up and just follow the passage round as it leads you to the Sky Walk.
Benugo, Ebisu Beer Station and Shopping
As you exit the Sky Walk, you will see Ebisu Garden Place in front of you. The first place is one of my favourite coffee hang outs in Tokyo - Benugo. They serve a great muffin with hot coffee and you can sit outside on a sunny day and watch the world go by. Just watch out for the sparrows! They are cheeky and used to people so they will happily hop onto your table and start stealing your food while they think you are looking the other way.
Get closer to the office block that you can see from Benugo and you'll find Ebisu Beer Station. A very fine institution if you don't mind me saying so! Again in summer there are tables and chairs outside and in the evening you can join the office workers and expats as everyone unwinds. The sounds of laughter and chatter fill the air and that first sip of beer is heaven!
I mustn't forget the shopping. You can shop till you drop, have a massage, take in the photography museum and finish off with some fine wine and food. There is a Mitsukoshi department store just across from Benugo which includes some nice ideas for gifts in the middle of the first and second floors. By the way - if you're British, first floor here is the same as ground floor in Britain - slightly confusing at first but you soon get used to it.
For some excellent restaurant choices have a wander round and see what takes your fancy. Check out the restaurants at the top of Ebisu Garden Tower - the big office block behind the Beer Station. Go up to the 39th floor and choose from Japanese, European, Korean dishes and more. There is a dedicated lift to get to this floor - ask one of the security guards if you can't find it.
The West Exit
The West side of Ebisu could be described as the downtown area with lots of smaller restaurants, izekayas, cafes and shops. This is a good place to stroll round at your own pace. If you fancy watching some sports while you are here and you want to do it in a pub atmosphere, there's a pub called Footniks just round the corner from the station. There is nothing of particular note here, but then that's the whole point. This is Ebisu away from the glitz and glamour of Garden Place.
Ebisu Origins
The name of the place Ebisu actually originates from the company that made the area famous - Yebisu Brewery. Located in the area of Ebisu Garden Place, it is possible to visit the Brewery and sample their wares for a small fee. It kind of makes me smile that this area of wealth and prosperity owes it's reputation to a good old pint of the amber nectar.
The little guy on the right also has to be mentioned. This is the Shinto God of wealth and good fortune, 'Ebisu'. Business people, both now and down the ages, have prayed to him and made offerings asking for success and luck. The name itself seems to have done that for Ebisu the place. Why not come and see for yourselves?
