Hot in the city

Tokyo Midtown Yaesu

Tokyo’s third Midtown multiplex, Tokyo Midtown Yaesu is a new, massive commercial complex right in front of Tokyo Station.

The lower floors opened on 17 Sep 2022 in a preopening, with the rest of the building scheduled to open in March 2023. More than an office skyscraper, the top floors (39 to 45) of the tower will be home to Japan’s first Bulgari Hotel and the lower levels will house shops and restaurants.

Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu, will be located on the B2 floor, conveniently consolidating all the highway bus stops currently spread out on the ground-level pavements around Tokyo station.

Red° Tokyo Tower

Japan’s largest esports park, Red° Tokyo Tower, opened at Tokyo Tower on 20 April 2022, with supporters hoping it will assist the country in developing a champion to challenge China in competitive gaming.

The park occupies three floors at the base of the tower and is open from 10 am til 10 pm, daily. For more information, see the video and check out the website.

DAISO flagship store, Ginza

In the area known for its flashy boulevard of high-end brand boutiques and fashionable department stores, DAISO, Japan’s leading 100-yen shop brand has opened its flagship store. Located in the same building as Uniqlo, Daiso offers around 23,000 low-cost quality products.

The shop, famous for 100-yen and 300-yen bargains also carries products for 1,000 to 1,500 yen. You’ll find a wide range of lifestyle goods, snacks, toys, masks and travel goods, plus much more.

Miyashita Park

Just steps from Shibuya Station, Miyashita Park is a new shopping and lifestyle complex, making use of a previous park of the same name.

But don’t worry, the green space has been retained on the rooftop of the complex. Shibuya is a hub for youth culture and Miyashita Park fits the bill with its cool open architecture and range of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars.

This year a series of pop-up shops from fashion makers to sweet shops added another layer of cool.

The rooftop park comes complete with its own skateboard park, and areas for bouldering and beach volleyball.

And, if you want to stay, the Sequence Miyashita Park hotel has a range of room configurations, from handy four- and six-bedded family rooms to suites.

Shibuya Sky

Shibuya Sky opened in November 2019 on top of Shibuya’s tallest skyscraper, Shibuya Scramble Square, and is still Tokyo’s newest observation deck.

The observation deck has three zones: SKY GATE, a transitional space on the 14F–45F; SKY STAGE, an outdoor observation area; and SKY GALLERY, an indoor observation corridor on the 46F.

With 360-degree panoramic views across Tokyo from 229 metres up in the sky and a series of experiences to activate your imagination, make sure you book your ticket in advance for a discount and to avoid missing out on the day. Ticket information here.

Waters Takeshiba

This entire site of Waters Takeshiba has been reimagined from a dockland of warehouses into a fashionable waterfront oasis in the heart of Tokyo. The multiplex offers a range of facilities, from shopping and dining to entertainment. It’s also home to some of the Shiki Theatre Company’s venues. Next to the complex a new luxury urban hotel mesm Tokyo looks out over Hamarikyu Gardens.

The area offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and is conveniently located a short walk from Hamamatsu Station on the JR Yamanote circle line.

Every Friday until 30 October 2022, you can enjoy Music Friday, relax with a drink and enjoy well-known DJs spin grown-up vibes, jazz and neo-soul, alternative R & B and more.

Japan National Stadium

The Japan National Stadium, built for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, is a masterpiece of contemporary architecture, designed by leading Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.

Visitors can now enter the stadium and tour some of Tokyo 2020 Olympic legacies close-up. Next to the stadium, in the Japanese Olympic Committee building, the Japan Olympic Museum has opened. Visitors can learn about the Olympics and the games held in Japan.

The current exhibition, Together for a peaceful world, is on until 23 October 2022.

teamLab Planets TOKYO

teamLab Planets TOKYO  is made up of 10 immersive art installations by teamLab and, in good news, it will remain open until the end of 2023, a year longer than originally scheduled.

It’s time to get your feet wet and take sensory immersive art up a notch.

Walk through water in one installation and wonder at fish as they swim on the surface of the water that appears to stretch out into infinity. Another installation is made up of 13,000 real orchids – not only do they smell different from day to night but the plants react to viewers in the room, making space for them to walk around.

Not stopping there, if visitors are hungry, the Michelin-starred restaurant Vegan Ramen UZU Kyoto has opened up Vegan Ramen UZU Tokyo at the attraction and, yes, they offer ramen in an interactive art environment. Their signature flower ramen dish is stunningly beautiful with no compromise on the taste.

Tickets to visit teamLab Planets TOKYO until November 2022 are on sale now. Note: Tickets for December 2022 will go on sale in mid-October 2022.

TOKYO mizumachi and Sumida River walk

Surrounded by waterways and greenery in the middle of one of the world’s busiest cities, TOKYO mizumachi  is a new precinct/promenade with inviting shops and a cool cafe linking Asakusa to Tokyo Skytree.

The Sumida River Walk is the fastest way to get from the Sensoji Temple area in Asakusa to the TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN on foot, the 160-metre walkway features a glass floor window looking down to the river below.

WISE OWL HOSTELS RIVER TOKYO, a community-style hostel was a new addition in 2021 and will be sure to attract many international visitors.

Hibaya Okuroji

Hibaya Okuroji is a 300-metre-long underpass beneath the raised train tracks (from Yurakucho station to Shimbashi station) has over 100 years of history and has been revitalised with over 30 shops and restaurants.

The renovation of the space paid particular attention to maintaining the iconic archways made from Meiji era red bricks, the original architecture was inspired by Berlin’s viaducts. The underpass, now a fashionable arcade, has retained a nostalgic atmosphere and is a perfect place to browse for souvenirs and keepsakes.

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