The Ariake Tennis Forest Park opened on the site of a golf course in 1983. Before the park was closed to prepare for the competitions scheduled to be held this summer, the complex counted a total of 49 courts, including the Ariake Coliseum, a court equipped with an opening dome, as well as other outdoor and indoor courts.

This venue is also used for competitions such as the Japan Open, and it’s known as the “Holy Land of Tennis in Japan,” and it is one of the leading tennis competitions facilities in the country.

When no tournaments are taking place, the complex is open to the general public (admission fee required). In addition to the many courts, there are also lawn open spaces, gardens, jogging courses, and more.

In preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games, the park will reopen to the public after their closing (For detailed information, please refer to the Ariake Tennis Forest Park official website).

Ariake sports a number of hands-on museums, and more and more new stadiums are being built for international competitions. This also means that more attractions are being opened in the complex. In April, a large commercial complex with 200 shops will open, bringing even more flavor to the area.

●1. Ariake Arena

This is an arena with approximately 15,000 seats and is located in the Ariake North district. This section made headlines during its inauguration in February.

During the competitions in 2021, it will be used for volleyball and wheelchair basketball tournaments. In the future it will be used for all kinds of sports and live events, taking advantage of its large capacity.

●2. Ariake Gymnastics Centre

Following the design concept of “wooden vessels,” the stadium is created to allow the visitors to enjoy the warmth of the wooden building both inside and outside. During the Olympics, gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline, and boccia games will be held here. Afterward, it will become one of Tokyo's exhibition centers.

●3. Ariake Urban Sports Park

This is the area where international competitions of sports like skateboarding and BMX (freestyle and racing) will take place. The complex comprises three stadiums, each with more than 5000 seats. This stadium was specially built for the Olympics and it will be dismantled after being used as a new space.

●4. Tokyo Metropolitan Water Science Museum

This is a science museum focused on water and operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Waterworks Bureau. This is a hands-on museum where you can learn about the nature of water and its importance through exhibitions, events, video theatres, and experimental shows. Very popular are guided tours that will help you explore the Ariake Water Station.

●5. RiSuPia

RiSuPia is an experimental museum of “Science and Mathematics (arithmetic)” in the Panasonic Center Tokyo. A unique exhibit that will tickle your intellect and curiosity, will take you through the learning principles of the laws of science and mathematics. Hands-on sections will allow you to enter the world of science and mathematics, using images, attractions, and more, ensuring the enjoyment of mathematics experts and novices alike.

If you visit Ariake, go to Odaiba, right next to it. Odaiba is a popular tourist area for foreigners and full of attractive sightseeing spots.

TeamLab Borderless is a digital art museum. This is an exhibition created by “TeamLab,” a creator of artworks through technology. Here you will be able to experience a new sense of art without boundaries.

The motto of TeamLab Borderless is “Wandering and Discovering,” and for this reason, you will not find a specific route to follow or even a guide map. Here you will enjoy the art while wandering freely in the venue where around 60 works are on display within 5 large spaces.

This is a commercial facility well know also for its full-size unicorn Gundam Statue. There are more than 160 shops and restaurants in the complex, including domestic and foreign brands, as well as specialty stores like Doraemon, Gundam, and Hello Kitty. Many stores offer tax exemption for foreign travelers.

In addition to the many stores there are also a lot of fun activities like the “Unko Museum Tokyo,” popular among children, and “Little Planet,” an interactive, educational theme park where you can play with children, and also the multi-purpose entertainment facility “Round One Stadium.”

“Yoshimaru Suisan Aqua City Odaiba” is where you can enjoy carefully selected seafood directly purchased from Tsukiji Market. You can get dishes at a reasonable price, starting at 100 yen per plate (tax not included), and you can choose from a variety of types of sushi served on a conveyor belt.

You can access the menu via a touch screen supporting also English and Chinese, so it’s easy to order. You will find standard sushi, like tuna and salmon, but also different items like rolled sushi, as well as side dishes like tempura and fried chicken. Depending on the time of the year, you can find also yellowtail and other kinds of fish.

This is a very popular hot spring theme park popular among tourists. Information is presented in Chinese, English, Korean, and Japanese, so even people who are not comfortable with the Japanese language can enjoy the facilities easily.

In addition to the indoors and outdoors baths of natural hot springs pumped from 1,400 meters underground, there are also foot baths with a view on the Japanese Garden of 700 tsubo.

After the baths, you can enjoy sweets and go yo-yo fishing in a hall inspired by the city of Edo (ancient Tokyo). If you prefer to enjoy your time more privately, the facilities offer many plans and accommodations.

There are many other attractive spots around Ariake and Odaiba. Why don't you stop by before and after watching sports?

Written by: Mae Kakizaki