Ariake Garden, a newly opened shopping complex in Tokyo

One of the biggest shopping, dining and entertainment places in Tokyo Bay

By Raina OngJune 26, 2020

View of the sports and entertainment plaza and garden park, with the theatre still under construction on the right

Officially opened on June 17, 2020, Ariake Garden is a large scale shopping and entertainment complex in Tokyo Bay conveniently located between the Toyosu Market and Odaiba. The complex, which is about 2.5 times the size of Tokyo Dome, is one of the largest to be built in the Tokyo metropolis in recent years. The opening of Ariake Garden has injected new urban atmosphere into the Ariake area which is more known as the location of Tokyo Big Sight, a large convention center, and a few other sports and entertainment arenas. The area is also where some Olympic sports events like tennis, BMX racing, gymnastics and volleyball will be held, in existing and newly constructed venues.

Ariake Garden is made up of five buildings, which consists of a mall, a hotel, an event hall, a spa and a theatre, and a large public park. The largest building is the mall, which offers five floors of shopping and dining containing over 200 shops as well as over 50 restaurants and cafes. Note that as of publication, only the mall, spa and event hall are open, while the hotel and garden are expected to open on August 1, 2020. The theatre, which will stage the Lion King musical, is slated to open in 2021.

Ariake Garden is a short walk from either Ariake Tennis no Mori or Ariake stations on the Yurikamome Line.

Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand on the right and Ariake Garden shopping mall on the left

Tokyo Garden Theater on the left and Ariake Garden in front

Steps leading up to the mall on the north side

Pathway on the ground floor between the garden and sports plaza on the left and the mall on the right

Entrance to Izumi Tenku no Yu, the spa in Ariake Garden

One of the nice touches at Ariake Garden is access to an outdoor space on every floor in the mall. Floors 3 to 5 each have a differently themed terrace, providing patrons a change in scenery.

Terrace on the third floor has a huge awning, and reminded me of a summer beach cabana

Slightly smaller terrace on the fourth floor

Water garden on the fifth floor offers a water play area for children and a fountain

Well-known and popular brands like Daiso, Muji and Aeon occupy the first floor of the mall, while fashion and sports brands occupy the second and third floors. The fourth floor is geared towards families with young children. Finally, the restaurants are located on the fifth floor.