The onset of the pandemic in March 2020 brought overseas tourism to a standstill, creating challenges for places which relied heavily on tourist traffic. Nevertheless, a number of attractions which opened their doors during or directly prior to the pandemic are becoming popular destinations that make essential bucket-list additions for new and seasoned travelers to Japan once tourism fully resumes. Here are three new attractions you don’t want to miss on your future Japan trip!
SHIBUYA SKY – Opened November 1st, 2019
With a height of 751 feet, this 360˚ open-air observation deck above SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE is Tokyo’s new must-see panorama! SHIBUYA SKY consists of three zones: the SKY GATE (14F-45F) which welcomes you to the experience, the SKY GALLERY (46F) which includes interactive exhibits and a café and bar, and the SKY STAGE (rooftop), with hammocks for cloud watching and an observation compass to identify major landmarks! Best of all is the stunning panoramic view with Tokyo Tower, the Japan National Stadium, and even Mt Fuji (on a clear day) visible in the distance. At night, the ‘CROSSING LIGHT’ show is unmissable, with 18 beams of light illuminating the city sky in a stunning spectacle. Tickets can be booked online in advance for modest savings.
www.shibuya-scramble-square.com/en
Admission Fees as of 2022:
| Adults (18+) | Junior and senior high school students | Elementary school students | Infants (3–5 years) | |
| Online tickets | ¥1,800 (¥900) |
¥1,400 (¥700) |
¥900 (¥450) |
¥500 (¥250) |
| Same-day over-the-counter tickets | ¥2,000 (¥1,000) |
¥1,600 (¥800) |
¥1,000 (¥500) |
¥600 (¥300) |
* The number of SHIBUYA SKY tickets is limited, so book in advance to increase your chances of getting your desired date and time.
* Admission is free for children under 3 years of age.
* Prices in parentheses are admission fees for people with disability.
Tokorozawa Sakura Town – Opened November 6th, 2020
If you’re a book lover or an anime/manga fan—or just someone who loves unique destinations—make sure to plan a visit to Tokorozawa Sakura Town, located a 60-90-minute train ride outside Tokyo. The core of the complex is the futuristic Kadokawa Culture Museum, designed by architect Kengo Kuma. With the concept of fusing together a library, an art museum, and a natural history museum, this cultural complex houses multiple unique spaces such as the Manga & Light Novel Library, an area dedicated to light novels and manga, Book Street, a 160-foot long path lined on both side by 25,000 books, and above all, the Bookshelf Theater, a library surrounded by impressive 26-foot-tall bookshelves. Anime or manga fans will also enjoy EJ Anime Museum and the rotating pop-culture exhibits. The EJ Anime Hotel located in Tokorozawa Sakura Town makes for a fun overnight experience. Rooms are booked according to a changing roster of anime titles and allow you to immerse yourself in your favorite stories, with a variety of fun perks such as exclusive merchandise, special missions, and a 150-inch projector screen and high-quality sound system for immersive viewing experiences.
Other destinations include the Da Vinci Store with its large selection of books and anime goods curated by KADOKAWA (www.davinci-store.jp), the Japan Pavilion where you can enjoy music, e-sports, and movie screenings, and Central Square/Sennin Terrace, outdoor event spaces where marches and festivals are held. Finally, make sure to stop by Musashino Reiwa Shrine and admire its beautiful contemporary architecture, also designed by Kengo Kuma.
https://tokorozawa-sakuratown.com/en/
Gifu Bungy – Opened August 2nd, 2020
If you like something with more outdoor thrills, look no further than Gifu Bungy! The highest permanent bungee jump in Japan at 705 feet, Gifu Bungy is located at the largest bridge in Japan, Shintabisoko Bridge. Dive into a stunning gorge with breathtaking mountain views over the Tabisokogawa Valley in the mountains of Gifu. The area can be reached in 80 minutes by train from Nagoya Station, which has easy bullet train access from either Tokyo or Osaka. The price includes GoPro footage, so you can keep your memories of this spectacular jump forever!
To make a reservation, visit their website below.
http://www.bungyjapan.com/?lang=en
