Amazing wonderland Toyosu

Toyosu is an artificial island facing Tokyo Bay. It is the center of the coastal area located to the south of the heart of Tokyo. It is seven minutes from Ginza, the most famous shopping area in Japan, by Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line. It has become a remarkably developing area in Tokyo with such a good location.

But, how much do you know about this area?

Maybe, many people know about Toyosu Market. The famous Tsukiji Fish Market was relocated to Toyosu in October 2018 and it reopened as Toyosu Market. We offer free English-guided walking tour of Toyosu Market as course D: Explore World’s Largest Wholesale Fish Market. You will surely be excited to see the dynamic tuna auction. Website: https://kev.jp/coursesTop.html

　　

Tuna auction
(Photo courtesy: Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market)

Toyosu Market panoramic view
(Photo courtesy: Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market)

However, there are a lot of attractive spots to see besides that. Let’s learn and explore Toyosu. This area was in the sea until nearly 100 years ago. With he development of Japan, it was born as a man-made island in 1937. It was named “Toyosu” with the wish to “become a prosperous land.” It started as a shipyard town with big shipbuilding company IHI. After the end of the war, it was functioning as an industrial area.  Besides IHI, big factories such as TEPCO’s new Tokyo Thermal Power Station and Tokyo Gas Toyosu Factory operated. This area supported Japan’s postwar high economic growth.

In the 1980’s, these factories were relocated to rural areas due to changes in the industrial structure and this area was redeveloped as a complex town.  It has become a complex area with business, housing and entertainment in just over 20 years. Those functions gathered within just a few kilometers square.

Toyosu Shipyard in the 1960s
(Photo courtesy: Tokyo Port Promotion Association)

Recent scenery of former Toyosu Shipyard

As a business area, head offices of large companies such as IHI, Nihon Unisys, Maruha Nichiro, NTT Data gathered and many modern office buildings were built here. A large skyscraper opened this spring and is directly connected to Metro Toyosu Station.

Office building along the Harumi street

Large skyscraper connecting to the Metro

As a housing area, many high-rise condominiums and apartments were built within 20 years and they are located near office buildings and entertainment facilities. One large high-rise condominium is still under construction near Toyosu station.

Condominiums along the canal

Condominiums next to Lalaport Toyosu

As a result of becoming an area for both working and living, Toyosu Station has the seventh largest number of passengers in the Tokyo Metro area after Shinjuku Station in 2019, and is larger than Shibuya Station.

Can you believe it?

As entertainment area, many attractive entertainment facilities are opening one after another. Lalaport Toyosu, one of the largest shopping malls in central Tokyo, opened in 2006 and has become one of the most popular shopping malls. It was directly connected to Metro Toyosu station this spring and is always crowded with visitors. It faces Tokyo Bay and the sunset and night view are beautiful.

Lalaport Toyosu   

Sunset and night view from Lalaport Toyosu

Some unique amusement facilities have been established in the new area called Shin-Toyosu. It is about 10 minutes from Toyosu Station. TeamLab Planets is a museum where you walk through water. It consists of 4 vast exhibition spaces with 7 distinct artworks. The artworks are surprising.  

There are also two unique theaters, Toyosu PIT and IHI STAGE AROUND TOKYO. They have unique performances. There are also popular barbecue venues and sports facilities there. Shin-Toyosu is a new attractive spot in Toyosu area. Of course, don’t forget that you can have a wonderful experience at Toyosu Market.

TeamLab Planets 

Shin-Toyosu scenery

Toyosu is also full of nature. There are two large parks. One is Toyosu park and the other is Toyosu Gururi Park.  Toyosu Park is located next to Lalaport Toyosu and has an open space facing Tokyo Bay and the lawn plaza is always crowded with parents and children. It is a scenic park where drama locations and commercials are often shot.

Toyosu Gururi Park has a total length of 4.5 km around Toyosu Pier. You can enjoy walking and running there. At the tip, you can see the Tokyo Tower, the Rainbow Bridge and the skyscrapers in the bay area which is one of the best views in Tokyo. The park has also a large barbecue venue and nice open terrace restaurants, making it a popular spot.  Our blog in October introduced Toyosu Gururi Park in detail, so please take a look.

Toyosu Park

Toyosu Gururi Park

The landscape of this area continues to change rapidly and dynamically. Toyosu is now one of the leading areas in Tokyo with highly convenient facilities for daily living in a beautiful landscape. It has grown into a popular area and has become a comfortable area to live and work. It is expected that Toyosu will become even more attractive in the future. But there is also a nostalgic park just off the main street. You may feel nostalgia there. By the way, do you know that the first 7-Eleven store in Japan, which has more than 20,000 stores, was opened in Toyosu in 1974?

By Isao

The first 7-Eleven store

Nostalgic park just off the main street