On March 27, 2025, "Takanawa Gateway City," a new urban development project around JR Takanawa Gateway Station, partially opened to the public. The FUN! JAPAN editorial team attended a special preview event for the media and experienced this cutting-edge area firsthand.
The station-connected complex is packed with the latest technology, art, and culinary attractions, offering a fully immersive "future" experience wherever you walk. With features like autonomous mobility systems roaming the streets and "The Road of 100 Colors" art installation that paints the future with vibrant hues, you'll feel like you've stepped into a futuristic city.
The area also features a variety of unique cafes and restaurants, including exclusive early offerings from Blue Bottle Coffee in Takanawa and photo-worthy Dutch baby pancakes. Here's our report from the site, complete with photos.
What Is Takanawa Gateway City?
Centered around JR Takanawa Gateway Station, which opened as a new stop on the Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku Lines, this area is envisioned as a symbol of Tokyo’s future.
The station building was designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma and features a structure inspired by traditional Japanese wooden joinery. The surrounding area is undergoing major redevelopment, with a new cityscape taking shape that includes commercial, cultural, office, and residential spaces.
A Place to Experience the Future 100 Years Ahead
Takanawa Gateway City is designed to make visitors feel closer to the "future 100 years from now" through cutting-edge technology and art. Even in this partial opening phase, the area is filled with interactive elements that offer a glimpse into the city of tomorrow.
Autonomous Mobility and Robots Roaming the City
In Takanawa Gateway City, research and development projects are underway to realize next-generation urban functions, focusing on themes like "environment," "mobility," and "healthcare."
Autonomous mobility vehicles patrol the area, along with various robots that assist with guest transportation and cleaning services, all actively working throughout the site.
Shops That Opened Early at Takanawa Gateway City
Although Takanawa Gateway City is still under development, some shops have already begun operating as part of the early opening of the station facilities and the upcoming NEWoMan Takanawa complex, scheduled to fully open this fall.
Nicolai Bergmann Takanawa
A new store by Danish flower artist Nicolai Bergmann has opened in Takanawa Gateway City. The theme is "Flowers & Design meets Living." The space blends three key elements: flowers, school, and living.
One highlight is the Takanawa-exclusive flower box. These come in fresh versions using real flowers (from ¥5,500) and long-lasting preserved versions (from ¥8,800), all arranged in boxes with a fabric-like texture. With their elegant yet calm color schemes, they make perfect gifts or stylish decor for your entranceway.
The store also offers flower school sessions that even beginners can easily join, as well as original home items making their debut in Japan. You'll also find a selection of small decor goods perfect for brightening up your desk or workspace.
Event Space "Machiai"
Connected directly to Takanawa Gateway Station, "Machiai" is an open area designed to bring together people, culture, and the local community. It's a space where visitors can drop by and enjoy a variety of events, exhibitions, and workshops.
In spring 2025, it will also serve as the base for the "Machi Aru Kitchen" project, which showcases quality local products from Minato Ward and areas along the JR railway line. Collaborations with specialty stores and restaurants from the Shinagawa–Meguro–Shirokane-Takanawa area will offer daily changing gourmet dishes and food culture experiences. It’s a great place to enjoy the flavors and warmth of the region in a futuristic station setting.
Gateway Studio
A multipurpose studio equipped for state-of-the-art content creation and streaming. It’s fitted with professional-level filming and editing equipment and can host live events and recordings. Future plans include workshops where the public can experience video production and streaming firsthand.
Cafes and Restaurants That Have Opened Ahead of Schedule in Takanawa Gateway City
Takanawa Gateway City is full of cafes and sweets that are perfect for photos! Many are conveniently located inside the station area, making it easy to stop by.
MAISON CLASSIC
MAISON CLASSIC is opening three different dining spots within Takanawa Gateway City under the concept of "changing the idea of station dining."
Located on the 3rd floor, "MAISON CLASSIC SALON" is a tea salon and bar lounge that offers tea-centered meals during the day and cocktails or signature gin in the evening. The menu includes Dutch baby pancakes topped with prosciutto, avocado, and soft-boiled eggs, matcha cream puffs, and the special "TAKANAWA Brest." The vibe shifts with the time of day, giving you a different experience each visit.
The open-air terrace with views overlooking the station interior is sure to be a popular spot—reservations are highly recommended!
On the 2nd floor is "MAISON CLASSIC CAFE," a casual café stand inside Takanawa Station serving sandwiches and drinks. Alongside classics like hot dogs and BLTs, they offer seasonal special gelato. It opens from 7 AM, making it a great stop before work.
"MAISON CLASSIC FACTORY" on the 3rd floor is a cream puff workshop where you can watch the caramelizing and other steps through the glass and enjoy freshly made sweets. The menu includes brulée cream puffs with caramelized tops, classic cream puffs, and the unique-textured "stone" cream puffs, offering a wide variety of options.
Blue Bottle Coffee Takanawa Café
On March 27, 2025, a brand-new Blue Bottle Coffee location opened inside THE LINKPILLAR 1 SOUTH in NEWoMan Takanawa. The theme is "Timeless." Designed to reflect the coexistence of tradition and innovation in the area, the café is built around the idea of offering flavors that can be loved across generations.
Unique to this location, the menu features gluten-free pastries and exclusive pre-sale items. Highlights include the seasonal "Cherry Blossom Latte," Blue Bottle’s beloved "Liège Waffle," and the "Banana Pound Cake," available here ahead of other stores. All are best enjoyed with their carefully brewed coffee.
Limited-edition collaborations with brands like BAGGU, including original goods and bags, are also planned for future release.
The café’s surroundings feature a minimalist design that emphasizes the beauty of raw materials, creating a naturally relaxing space even for first-time visitors. Operated in a stand-style format, it’s ideal for grabbing a quick coffee between train rides or during a walk through the area.
Night Museum Bar & Club "ZERO-SITE Takanawa Gateway"
Opening for a limited time from March 27 to July 31, 2025, "ZERO-SITE Takanawa Gateway" is a brand-new type of night museum bar and club that blends music, art, and technology. Equipped with cutting-edge sound systems and innovative spatial design, the venue centers around a 700-person capacity event lounge, offering a flexible space that can accommodate everything from entertainment to business events.
The venue features three bars, and the event space on the 3rd floor is outfitted with sound equipment from globally renowned audio brand "Danley Sound Labs." The DJ booth and lighting system use equipment from "VOID ACOUSTICS," creating one of the top-class acoustic environments in Japan. The 270-inch OLED display on the ceiling is another standout feature.
On weekday evenings, the space becomes a quiet night museum bar where visitors can enjoy drinks alongside art. On weekends, it shifts into a music bar and club. With ethically sourced food and drinks, guests can look forward to a truly out-of-the-ordinary experience.
Tourism & Art Facilities at Takanawa Gateway City
TAKANAWA GATEWAY Travel Service Center
Located on the 1st floor of THE LINKPILLAR 1 SOUTH, near Takanawa Gateway Station, this travel information center introduces the attractions of eastern Japan. It also offers services for international travelers, including the purchase of free passes and train tickets, as well as pick-up for pre-booked tickets. All services are provided through cashless payment.
Translation-free multilingual machines are available, allowing travelers to ask questions in languages like English and Chinese without needing an interpreter. This kind of service might become more common across Japan in the future!
Inside the center, there’s a large touchscreen display showing seasonal nature and culture through vivid visuals. It also provides info on local walking tours and interactive events happening around the Takanawa area. More than just a travel hub, it serves as a gateway to discover local charm and supports a variety of travel styles. Opening hours are from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
"100 Colors Path" Gate-Style Art Installation
"100 Colors Path (100 colors no.53)" is an installation by Tokyo-based French architect and artist Emmanuelle Moureaux, created to celebrate the opening of Takanawa Gateway City and symbolize the "flow of time into the future."
This is the 53rd piece in Moureaux’s renowned "100 colors" series, made up of 100 gate-shaped pillars, each painted in a different color. Each pillar is engraved with a year from 2025 extending 100 years into the future, making the entire artwork a symbol of time moving forward.
Passing through the gates is designed to give visitors the sense of stepping into their own future, evoking the uplifting feeling of walking under a festive arch.
- Exhibition location: Gateway Park (Outdoor 2F)
- Exhibition period: March 27 – July 21, 2025 (subject to change)
What’s Next for Takanawa Gateway City?
In the fall of 2025, the full opening of "NEWoMan Takanawa," a complex that leads the way in fashion, lifestyle, and culture, is scheduled. With even more shops and events on the way, Takanawa Gateway City will continue to grow in appeal.
As the city evolves into a gateway to the future, Takanawa Gateway City offers new discoveries every time you visit. Come experience the next-generation urban space where cutting-edge technology and human warmth coexist in harmony, right at Tokyo’s newest front door.
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