Surprise and delight await when visiting Toyosu. This area of reclaimed land on Tokyo Bay now delivers more than its share of unique interactive experiences. A manmade island created in the 1930’s for housing, entertainment, and recreation Toyosu has become the home to incredible attractions. In 2018 the world’s largest fish market moved here and nearly double the size of its predecessor in Tsukiji. More recently the acclaimed art collective teamLab opened a ground-breaking new attraction teamLab Planets with the recent addition of a sensational vegan ramen restaurant, blending Michelin starred excellence from Kyoto with floral artistic brilliance from teamLab. And for kids, KidZania gives a taste of the grown-up world in proportion for kids. Here we introduce Toyosu highlights and updates.
– Toyosu Fish Market – world’s biggest wholesale fish market
One of Tokyo’s greatest attractions is the world’s largest working fish market! It draws everyone from Tokyo’s top sushi chefs, locals shopping for their evening meals to international visitors. The new market opened in October 2018, replacing Tsukiji Fish Market and became home for some 900 businesses. The public are allowed in from 5:00am until 5:00pm (various shops and restaurants have different opening hours). The world-famous tuna auctions now have a public viewing deck, giving better access than ever before. The viewing was closed for a period during the pandemic, but the special observation deck reopened in early June 2022. Top Tip: Arrive early to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the tuna auction and follow it up with a sushi breakfast.
–teamLab Planets TOKYO– become bodily immersed in a massive art space
The progressive art collective teamLab, became known for the teamLab Borderless attraction in Tokyo’s Odaiba (scheduled to close Aug 2022). Its cousin teamLab Planets TOKYO (the two are under different management) is next level with 10 immersive installations by teamLab. 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 they also react to the 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 is stunningly beautiful with no compromise on the taste!
There will also be a new flower shop opening on October 8, where visitors can take home orchids used in one of the artwork installations.
–KidZania -amusement park for kids – with new sustainability space
KidZania is an amusement park based on a mini version of the world, a 2/3-sized replica, where kids can try out a range of careers and get paid in special KidZania currency. They can use their earnings to buy services or go shopping. And what is in it for the parents? You can spend your kids hard earned currency at the department store. But it is not all about consumerism, far from it, in December 2021 they launched “KidZania SDGs Center,” providing a space where children can encounter Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as defined by the UN. Young visitors will carry the “Change the Future! Action Rally” book and explore issues like food waste and mass disposal of clothes. Through quiz answers and problem-solving examples, the children will learn about solutions and perhaps increase SDGs action. Location: 8 min walk from Toyosu Station on the Yurakucho Line.
And there’s more:
Visitors can also enjoy shopping and relaxing at LaLaport Toyosu, a bayside complex with views and plenty of wide-open space. Additional recreation areas include Toyosu Park, which has a children’s playground and lawn. DIY BBQ facilities also available.
