VIDEO: A walk through Tokyo’s Ariake, home to gardens, entertainment venues and shopping

Ariake (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Ariake is a scenic waterfront district in Tokyo near Odaiba. Here, you might find yourself attending a sports event, concert or design festival as the area is home to some important entertainment venues. In addition, the area also has some great shopping and expansive gardens and parks to enjoy.

Access to Ariake can be made via the Yurikamome autonomous monorail from Shimbashi. The monorail allows for a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the water with sweeping views of Tokyo Tower and skyscrapers high above the Rainbow Bridge.

Ariake Station of Yurikamome Line (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Ariake (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

The centerpiece of Ariake is the Tokyo Big Sight, an intimidating, enormous 58-meter-high building shaped like an inverse pyramid. Inside the building, you’ll find 22 halls and conference rooms where hundreds of trade fairs, anime conventions and other events are simultaneously held throughout the year.

Tokyo Big Sight (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Nearby, Ariake Garden is a large shopping and entertainment spot with a hotel, concert venue, spa and event hall in addition to over 200 shops and 50 dining options.

Ariake Garden (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Ariake Arena and Coliseum is another entertainment venue in the district that was recently used for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. The arena was where tennis, BMX, gymnastics and volleyball games were played.

Ariake Coliseum (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

For some outdoor fun, head to some Ariake’s parks for spotless seasonal flower gardens to enjoy. Though Disaster Prevention Park is dedicated to emergency response facilities, an experience center and learning center, it also has a multipurpose plaza and outdoor plaza on its grounds with vast green space perfect for a relaxing stroll.

Tennis Forest Park is a center for the gentlemen’s sport but the seasonal flowers in the area make it a favorite for joggers and walkers around the park’s path.