Ariake is a district in Koto, Tokyo that is best known as the home of Tokyo Big Sight and plenty of venues for concerts and sporting events, such as the Ariake Coliseum and Ariake Arena. But on top of that, Ariake also boasts some fine eateries and tons of fun activities. While most of Tokyo can have a congested and crowded image, Ariake stands out as a place where people can enjoy the bay breeze with lots of open space to enjoy major events. Come check out why Ariake, near Toyosu and Odaiba, is a great spot to get fresh air and unwind after a hard day (or week) in Tokyo.
What to do?
Tokyo Big Sight is a popular weekend venue – Photo Credit: Joseph Magtibay
Tokyo Big Sight
Tokyo Big Sight is a large building with a unique shape (think of four upside-down gold trapezoids next to each other) overlooking Tokyo Bay. With over 300,000 square meters of floor space, Tokyo Big Sight has served as one of Tokyo’s most accessible venues, hosting events such as the Tokyo International Toy Day (usually held in June) and Comiket, a comic book convention held biannually (in August and December) that attracts hobbyists from all over the world.
Ceiling windows letting the sunlight shine in – Photo Credit: Joseph Magtibay
Even when there’s no convention going on, Tokyo Big Sight offers free entrance and plenty of restaurants inside for visitors to eat in. It’s a great place to get away from the heat or the cold and take it easy on a day out. Tokyo Big Sight has also incorporated the Ariake Gymnastics Center, which was used in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. It has been rebranded as ‘Ariake GYM-EX’, adding more space for future exhibits that will draw in more fun events in the future.
Location: Tokyo Big Sight on Google Maps
Website: Tokyo Big Sight official website (English)
Hours of operation: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily
Admission: free (outside of events occurring there)
Visit the Tokyo Water Science Museum – Photo Credit: Joseph Magtibay
Tokyo Water Science Museum
Tokyo Water Science Museum is a kid-friendly 3-story free museum where visitors can interact with exhibits about water and learn where it’s collected and purified for use in society. The staff and exhibits are all in Japanese, but there are enough English headers under the separate areas to describe what they’re about. There’s an “aqua laboratory” where visitors can experiment with how water moves under certain conditions and how often we use it daily.
Children can learn about water as they play – Photo Credit: Joseph Magtibay
The museum has a 10-minute 3D movie (with no dialogue) on the 3rd floor showing how water from forests and dams gets filtered and sent to homes and public facilities. All of this is showcased with a semi-panoramic view. And of course, there’s the main lobby’s interactive waterworks where children (and their parents) can enjoy spraying water at targets during their day at the museum.
Location: Tokyo Water Science Museum on Google Maps
Info Pamphlet: Tokyo Water Science Museum official pdf file (English)
Hours of Operation: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm (closed on Mondays and holidays)
Admission: free
Eva Unit-01 model outside the museum – Photo Credit: Joseph Magtibay
Small Worlds Tokyo
Another museum in Ariake worth checking out is Small Worlds Tokyo (or Small Worlds Miniature Museum). It features miniature replicas not only of famous places in Japan and around the world in its “Global Village” exhibit but also of the popular anime series, Neon Genesis Evangelion. Replicas of the giant mechs and locations featured in the franchise are on full display. Located less than 10 minutes away from Ariake-Tennis-no-Mori station on the Yurikamone line, visitors will go through a tunnel to pass admissions and marvel at all the meticulous details put into each display. From the recreation of the Kansai International Airport to the “Nightlife in Japan” exhibit, children and adults can take their time to enjoy this museum.
Come explore the small worlds within – Photo Credit: Joseph Magtibay
Location: Small Worlds Tokyo on Google Maps
Website: Small World Tokyo official website (English)
Hours of Operations: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm daily
Admission: 3,200 yen (adults)
What to eat?
Entrance to the Murata restaurant – Photo Credit: Joseph Magtibay
Murata
Located on the 2nd floor in the Ariake Park Building right across from Kokusai-Tenjijo station, Murata (むら田) is a traditional Japanese restaurant, offering set meals (lunch is cash only) and English-speaking staff. This restaurant has Japanese staples such as sashimi (thinly cut raw fish slices), tempura (deep-fried battered seafood and vegetables), and negitoro (green onion and fatty tuna). For those who love Japanese food in a serene setting, be sure to check out this restaurant near the Washington Hotel in Ariake.
Enjoying the tempura lunch set – Photo Credit: Joseph Magtibay
Location: Murata on Google Maps
Website: Murata on the Tokyo Big Sight website (Japanese only)
Hours of Operation: 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, 4:30 pm to 11:00 pm daily
Ariake Garden is right across Ariake Tennis Park – Photo Credit: Joseph Magtibay
Ariake Garden
Located between Ariake station and Kokusai-Tenjijo station, Ariake Garden is the go-to mall in the area for eating and shopping. Along with a tax-free shop for foreigners, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to the food court on the 5th floor. The Ariake Diner food court offers your standard selection of Japanese restaurants serving ton-katsu (Kim-katsu-tei) and curry (Maji-curry). But you also have the option to walk over to the Ariake Dining Street for sushi (Aburi) or some American food at TGI Fridays, making this a great spot to eat and relax in the mall.
Check out the Pancake House if you can – Photo Credit: Joseph Magtibay
Location: Ariake Garden on Google Maps
Website: Ariake Garden official website (English)
Hours of Operation: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm daily
For those wanting ice cream in Ariake – Photo Credit: Joseph Magtibay
Hobson’s Ice Cream Parlor
If you’re in the mood for something cold or sweet, you can try Hobson’s Ice Cream Parlor on Ariake Garden’s 5th floor right next to Pancake House. This ice cream parlor specializes in making fruit parfaits, using mango, melon, strawberries, and other types of berries. Along with parfaits, Hobson’s also makes strawberry zuccotto (an Italian dessert made with cake and ice cream) and strawberry Christmas cake once December approaches. Regardless of the season, there’s always a sweet ice cream treat at the Ariake Diner when this place opens up.
A delicious chocolate parfait – Photo Credit: Joseph Magtibay
Location: Hobson’s Ice Cream Parlor on Google Maps
Instagram: Hobson’s Ice Cream Parlor (Japanese only)
Hours of Operation: 11:00 am to 10:30 pm daily (last order at 10:00 pm)
Taking a trip down to Ariake is a good idea if you’re looking for either outdoor activities at the Ariake Tennis Park (which was a venue for the 2020 Olympic Games) or just want to see a side of Tokyo that isn’t a part of the hustle and bustle of the city center. Outside of a massive convention, you won’t feel claustrophobic in Ariake with its wide open spaces and close proximity to Tokyo Bay. And while you’re at it, feel free to grab a bite to eat at one of the many eateries within a stone’s throw of the stations here. Visiting Ariake is a great way to treat yourself to a chill day in Tokyo.
Featured Photo Credit: slyellow
