Good news for Tokyo travelers! The Takanawa GATEWAY CITY, a major urban redevelopment project in central Tokyo undertaken by JR East, partially opened on March 27, 2025. Following the opening of the Yamanote Line’s “Takanawa GATEWAY Station” in 2020, this largest-scale urban development in central Tokyo has been under construction, and now we can finally see what this new district looks like.
Contents Large-Scale Development Project in Shinagawa: “Takanawa GATEWAY CITY,” Total Area Exceeds Roppongi Hills District Comprises 5 Large-Scale Buildings, NEWoMan and the First JW Marriott Hotel in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area to Open High-Tech City: Various Robots Introduced in Collaboration with KDDI Takanawa GATEWAY Station Fully Opens on March 27, 2025! THE LINKPILLAR 1 Partially Opens
Large-Scale Development Project in Shinagawa: “Takanawa GATEWAY CITY,” Total Area Exceeds Roppongi Hills
With the development vision of “Global Gateway,” Takanawa GATEWAY CITY is dedicated to creating a comprehensive international urban area. The core area will feature large-scale international conference centers and top-tier hotels, along with plans for a cultural and creative zone and international schools, shaping an international lifestyle hub. The total construction area exceeds 845,000 square meters, surpassing the 720,000 square meters of Roppongi Hills.
The project places particular emphasis on regional connectivity, linking the plaza in front of Takanawa GATEWAY Station, the Shibaura Konan area, Mita, and other surrounding districts through a comprehensive pedestrian walkway system, creating a convenient walking network. Future plans include extending towards Shinagawa Station, showcasing the long-term vision for regional development and undoubtedly establishing it as a new international business and cultural hub in Tokyo.
District Comprises 5 Large-Scale Buildings, NEWoMan and the First JW Marriott Hotel in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area to Open
THE LINKPILLAR 1 South and North Towers
The JW Marriott Hotels group is launching its first location in the Tokyo metropolitan area, choosing the upper floors of the impressive THE LINKPILLAR 1 South tower, with an expected opening in the autumn of 2025. This new hotel will incorporate Eastern Zen aesthetics into its guest room designs, offering guests a unique and luxurious accommodation experience. The hotel will feature seven distinct dining venues, ranging from creative European cuisine to an exquisite sushi bar, as well as an eye-catching croissant specialty shop, satisfying the diverse palates of food enthusiasts.
The high-rise swimming pool, fitness center, and spa facilities will not only offer top-notch service but also provide breathtaking panoramic views of the Tokyo skyline. The lower levels of the building, from the 1st to the 5th floor, are planned as the NEWoMan TAKANAWA shopping mall, injecting rich commercial vitality into this new landmark. It can also be described as adding a brand-new fashionable lifestyle hub to Tokyo and a new green landmark, as sky gardens will be established on the 28th and 29th floors.
THE LINKPILLAR 1 North’s approximately 2,000-tsubo (around 6,611 square meters) rooftop space is designed as a green paradise in the city, using real plants to bring natural vitality to the urban jungle. The sky garden features two semi-outdoor public gardens, allowing visitors to enjoy leisurely moments surrounded by greenery high above the city. Additionally, it uniquely incorporates standalone building-style restaurants and cafes, enabling visitors to savor delicious food while experiencing the distinctive atmosphere of the sky garden, creating an unprecedented new urban relaxation experience.
THE LINKPILLAR 2 (Scheduled to open in 2025)
THE LINKPILLAR 2 will be a 31-story mixed-use commercial building constructed next to Sengakuji Station, designed to provide a comprehensive urban living space for business professionals. The 2nd and 3rd floors will house the NEWoMan TAKANAWA shopping mall, offering a wide array of shopping options. Notably, the building will also include the Chikutei Art Museum (MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives), which will showcase the history of railway development, guiding visitors through the significant milestones of Japan’s modernization.
MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives (Scheduled to open in Spring 2026)
Takanawa GATEWAY CITY is set to welcome a brand new cultural facility in the spring of 2026: “MoN Takanawa Museum”! This cultural venue, blending modern and traditional elements, will not only offer exhibition and performance spaces but also feature a tatami mat event area with distinct Japanese characteristics. The 6th-floor moon-viewing terrace and relaxing foot bath perfectly showcase the exquisite combination of Japanese aesthetics and modern design, undoubtedly making it a highly anticipated new cultural and leisure hotspot in Tokyo.
TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY RESIDENCE (Scheduled to open in 2025)
TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY RESIDENCE, located near Tamachi Station, is a top-tier architectural complex that integrates living, education, and nature. It includes high-rise luxury residences meeting international standards, an international school, and a specially planned ecological park, creating a green living space within the city and providing residents with a comprehensive and refined living experience.
High-Tech City: Various Robots Introduced in Collaboration with KDDI
Takanawa GATEWAY CITY will usher in a new era of smart technology in 2025. JR East plans to deploy approximately 50 robots of various types throughout this future city, including those for food delivery, security, cleaning, and the latest in-house logistics robots, creating an innovative living space where humans and machines collaborate.
```In the THE LINKPILLAR series of buildings, in addition to the basic cleaning and security robots, AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) robots capable of independently using elevators have been specially introduced to realize smart logistics services across multiple floors. This groundbreaking initiative not only improves operational efficiency but also demonstrates Japan’s leading position in smart city development, creating a new paradigm for urban living.
Takanawa GATEWAY Station Fully Opens on March 27, 2025! THE LINKPILLAR 1 Partially Opens
On March 27, 2025, Takanawa GATEWAY Station completed the construction of its South Gate and officially fully opened. The South and North Towers of THE LINKPILLAR 1 in Takanawa GATEWAY CITY were also completed, with some facilities opening in advance. Let’s take a look at the newly opened facilities and shops!
Takanawa GATEWAY Station South Gate Completed, Sneak Peek at New Tenants
Takanawa GATEWAY Station has been in service since 2020, but the South Gate construction was completed in 2025, fully opening on March 27th! With the opening of the South Gate, four shops also opened simultaneously: MAISON CLASSIC CAFE, MAISON CLASSIC SALON, MAISON CLASSIC FACTORY, and MACHIAI (マチアイ).
MAISON CLASSIC operates under the concept of “STAY with VALUE,” hoping that the station will be more than just a place to “pass through” but a “place to spend time.” The shops offer a variety of delicious foods such as coffee, cream puffs, and pancakes.
Takanawa GATEWAY Station has also added a movable lawn space called “Eki Park,” allowing you to interact within the station as if you were in a park, which can be said to be a new era of station space design. If you visit Takanawa GATEWAY CITY, be sure to fully experience the facilities within Takanawa GATEWAY Station.
MACHIAI (マチアイ), located at the South Gate of the station, focuses on the themes of “encounters between towns” (マチとマチの出アイ) and “talking about love for towns” (マチへのアイを語る), regularly holding events related to experiences from various regions of Japan. It not only offers tastings of products from all over Japan but also plans various tourism events.
Limited-Time Music Bar & Nightclub “ZERO-SITE Takanawa Gateway”
The limited-time music bar & nightclub “ZERO-SITE Takanawa Gateway” is scheduled to operate for approximately four months, from March 27th to July 31st, 2025. It offers a state-of-the-art sound system and performance space where you can experience diverse cultures including music, art, fashion, design, and sports. It also features an event space and VIP lounge that can accommodate 700 people, and introduces the world’s leading “Danley Sound Labs” sound system, providing a unique immersive experience.
Gateway Park: Limited-Time Art Installation “100 colors” and Water Fountain Facilities
The limited-time art installation “100 colors” in Gateway Park is designed by Emmanuelle Moureaux, a French architect based in Tokyo. Using 100 colors and inscribing the years from 2025 to 2124, it represents a gateway-shaped art piece that expresses the passage of a century. Gateway Park also features water fountain installations, which are particularly beautiful at night when illuminated.
Takanawa GATEWAY CITY Future Experience Theater
The Future Experience Theater is located in the South Tower of THE LINKPILLAR 1 and is scheduled to be on display from March 27th to June 28th, 2025. It will screen animated videos of Takanawa GATEWAY CITY, and the arched screen provides a very immersive experience. Coupled with music featuring songs by the popular group “Hitsujibungaku,” the beautiful visuals and moving music make it well worth a visit.
The future city planned for the “Takanawa GATEWAY CITY” redevelopment project in central Tokyo is truly exciting! Following its partial opening on March 27th, 2025, it is sure to become a must-visit new attraction for everyone traveling to Tokyo!