Tokyo's futuristic new ¥600 billion "city" opens to the public

A newly constructed commercial complex opened at Tokyo’s Takanawa Gateway Station on Thursday 27th 2025.

The new complex seeks to transform the surrounding area into a futuristic “city” that incorporates autonomous vehicles and serves as a central point for global academic institutions and startup companies.

An opening ceremony for Takanawa Gateway City was held on the 27th of March 2025

Takanawa Gateway City, an expansive ¥600 billion ($3.3 billion) complex covering 845,000 square meters, represents a long-term redevelopment initiative by East Japan Railway (JR East) that aims to integrate residential, commercial, and cultural facilities.

“Takanawa Gateway City is intended to be a testing ground for the development of a fulfilling life 100 years into the future,” Tomoyuki Degawa, manager of the urban development department at JR East’s marketing division, stated at a press conference held on Tuesday.

“By connecting with over 1,700 stations nationwide, our objective is to establish a hub that distinctly reflects JR East, embodying both our historical legacy and our dedication to future innovation,” he added.

The first phase of the project will commence on Thursday with the opening of two 160-meter towers and a new exit for JR Takanawa Gateway Station, which initially opened in 2020, providing direct access to the complex’s central area, known as Gateway Park.

Two 160 meter towers are a focal point of the new Takanawa Gateway City complex

The two towers will serve as the core of the development, with commercial areas strategically positioned around the station.

The complex will house approximately 200 stores, which will open in stages through 2026.

Academic and business centers will facilitate collaboration among over 100 startups and academic institutions, including the University of Tokyo and the National University of Singapore.

The two buildings will also feature convention centers and office spaces, as well as a day care center scheduled to open in April. Takanawa Gateway City also aims to attract international tourists with a large travel center and a JW Marriott luxury hotel.

“With direct access from Haneda Airport, Takanawa is uniquely positioned to function as a key gateway for inbound tourism,” Degawa said.

Autonomous mobility is a key aspect of the project. The site will serve as a testing ground for autonomous vehicles and robots integrated with the complex’s infrastructure, with some operating on hydrogen energy.

Autonomous vehicles will transport visitors around the new futuristic complex

Visitors and residents will have access to the Takanawa Gateway City app, which will integrate transportation data from Suica to provide personalized information, such as restaurant and shop recommendations.

The next significant milestone for the project is scheduled for 2026, which will include the opening of a third tower designed by architect Kengo Kuma.

This tower will house a cultural facility called the “Museum of Narratives Takanawa.”

Additionally, Takanawa Gateway City Residence, a 44-floor skyscraper, is slated for completion in spring 2026, offering high-end living spaces targeted at expatriates.

The new complex is attached to Takanawa Gateway Station

Located on the former site of the Takanawa railway yard, Takanawa Gateway City is deeply connected to JR East’s railway history, as it stands on the grounds of one of Japan’s most historically significant railway sites.

When the first railway in Japan opened in 1872 between Shimbashi and Yokohama stations, the Takanawa embankment was constructed to support the railway tracks.

Over time, the embankment was repurposed for cargo handling and train depots, eventually being obscured by the Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines.

JR East has been involved in the development of the Takanawa area for the past 20 years, in conjunction with the redevelopment of the neighboring Shinagawa Station.

Source: JR East Group,