From the traditional to the contemporary and the playful to the thought-provoking, Tokyo has stunning and unique event spaces to suit every taste and meet every need.
Anyone planning a MICE occasion can choose a terminal that will act as a gateway for some of the world’s largest cruise ships or a repository of some of the most remarkable works of art in the world, an open-air museum of traditional Japanese buildings, a marine park bustling with sea creatures or the landscaped gardens and ponds that were once the domain of a feudal lord.
Of the hundreds of appealing venues around the city, we have selected six that we believe deliver something unique, such as outdoor spaces suited for the New Normal or experience hosting events – and all promise unforgettable moments. Already a city with a well-earned reputation for a safety and attention to the well-being of residents and visitors alike, Tokyo has introduced stringent health protocols in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus. When Japan opens up to visitors from around the world once more, there is no better place to host an event and ensure that your guests enjoy a truly memorable occasion.
Of the dozens of potential locations across the city, we will highlight a selection that offers a glimpse of the variety available. And Tokyo looks forward to welcoming you soon.
The Tokyo International Cruise Terminal
A sleek construction of steel and glass alongside Tokyo Bay, the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal is the gateway for thousands of visitors arriving in this breath-taking capital city. The facility only opened in 2020 and is able to accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships.
As a venue, it has a generous 3,000 square meters of event space spread across the second and third floors, including conference rooms and VIP suites. The flexible design of the terminal means that event spaces and layouts can be tailored to an organiser’s needs. The highlight of the facility, which can host events for up to 1,500 people, is undoubtedly the spacious observation deck that overlooks the bay, providing an unrivalled view of the city’s skyline as the sun sets. In December, a fashion show was held in the multipurpose hall on the 3rd floor to showcase the new works of Tokyo designers to an audience of 400 people.
The terminal has already demonstrated its potential as a unique event space, hosting a showcase evening on February 8 that highlighted its versatility. As well as the stunning night views across Tokyo, guests were treated to an impressive demonstration of lighting effects that can be customized for any occasion. And with sustainability as the theme of the evening, guests were served dishes prepared with locally produced vegetables on biodegradable plates, while the occasion was powered from renewable energy sources.
Tokyo intends to make good use of legacy facilities from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics for unique events, including the nearby Ariake Arena, which hosted volleyball matches, the Ariake Gymnasium and the Sea Forest Waterway, where rowing and canoe events were held.
Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
This expansive museum has been entrusted with preserving the most historically and culturally important buildings from the Edo and Showa eras, from the 1650s until the 1950s. Strolling between buildings that reflect both Japanese and Western design elements offer an insight into the lives of residents of a city that was at the time undergoing vast transformations.
One of the most fascinating properties is the wood-sided and red-roofed house of Georg de Lalande, a German architect, who completed the building around 1910. Now a key part of the open-air museum, the ground floor café and its surrounding terrace and makes an ideal location for intimate get-togethers for up to 70 people.
Suntory Museum of Art
Home to one of the finest collections of Japanese art, aesthetics and crafts, the Suntory Museum of Art communicates the message of “Art in Life” through a regularly rotated display of paintings, ceramics, lacquerware, textiles, and other mediums, both traditional and modern.
The event space incorporates a stunning glass-walled hall and outdoor terrace on the sixth floor of the dramatic building, offering a breathtaking panorama of the Roppongi cityscape beyond.
Guests can meet and mingle surrounded by a rotating selection of some of the museum’s most eye-catching exhibits – at times it will be a silk screen, at others a bowl for the tea ceremony created by a master-craftsman or scrolls bearing beautifully executed drawings - each carefully curated to showcase a unique element of Japanese artistic culture.
The venue is in demand for post-convention parties, with overseas guests particularly appreciative of the opportunity to combine a standing dinner party with private viewings of the exhibits.
Tokyo Sea Life Park
Overlooking Tokyo Bay, the Tokyo Sea Life Park is a cutting-edge marine facility designed by well-known architect Yoshio Taniguchi and renown for a doughnut-shaped 2.2 million litre tank that exhibits a school of constantly moving Pacific bluefin tuna.
The aquarium displays more than 600 species of sea animal and plant life from our oceans and freshwater habitats, ranging from scalloped hammerhead sharks to sea bream, fairy penguins and other aquatic creatures. It also has a section dedicated to the sea life of Tokyo.
The venue has a range of locations for events, including The Glass Dome that looks across Tokyo Bay to Mount Fuji on the horizon, the Sky Plaza and Tent Deck, catering for up to 200 people.
Kiyosumi Gardens
In the heart of the city, the Kiyosumi Gardens are an oasis of green tranquility with a rich history – and an ideal location for a uniquely Japanese experience.
Originally the residence of a merchant in the Edo era (1603-1867), the gardens were later owned by a feudal lord and a business magnate before being donated to Tokyo and opened to the public in 1932. The original aesthetics of the gardens have been preserved, with the carefully positioned stones sourced from all over Japan. Turtles inhabit the pond, which also attracts wild birds and can be crossed by graceful bridges or stepping stones.
Events can be held either at the Ryotei Lodge, built in the traditional Japanese architectural style, known as Sukiya, and partly over the pond, or the expansive Taisho Kinenkan Hall, well known for both its magnificent cuisine and equally impressive views across the garden.
The venue delivers an authentically Japanese ambience and is ideal for smaller, more intimate gatherings. It has proved to be popular with international organisations looking to provide a true sense of this nation’s famous hospitality amidst an unforgettable setting.
More information about each venue:
You can also discover other unique venues in Tokyo on TOKYO UNIQUE VENUES official Website. Please click below
Tokyo Unique Venues | Tokyo Metropolitan Government