Visitors are often surprised by just how many high-quality restaurants Tokyo has. According to the Michelin Guide Tokyo 2024, Tokyo boasts 183 Michelin-starred restaurants, more than any other city in the world. Also, it has 11 Michelin Green Star restaurants, an award for ‘outstanding commitment and philosophy towards a more sustainable approach to gastronomy’. Tokyo continues to offer visitors an unmatched culinary experience; whether it's traditional Japanese cuisine or global dishes, the choice is endless.
Some people may also find the topography of Tokyo surprising. Contrary to the popular belief that a large city like Tokyo must be a concrete jungle, 50% of the city is made up of greenery, and in the west, we have the Tama, filled with lush mountains and running rivers. This area includes Hachioji City, which provides plenty of options for convention venues, as well as the perfect backdrop for leisurely post-conference outdoor activities, including Tokyo’s sacred mountain Takao-san.
Lastly, Tokyo, before it became the capital of Japan, was once a fishing village called Edo. While Tokyo has since become one of the world’s most cutting-edge cities, old Edo-Tokyo culture can still be seen everywhere, from crafts to the performance arts. This gives Tokyo a fascinating fusion of the old and new, sure to make any meeting memorable. There are not a lot of destinations where you can be served your meal by a robot before visiting a Noh theatre or a shrine.
Business Events Tokyo offers a variety of support for international association meetings considering Tokyo. The local host destination must apply for support before the event's destination is finalized, and there must be other competitor cities. This support takes organizers through the whole process, from destination selection to event delivery, should Tokyo be chosen. We have subsidies for venue rental and audio-visual equipment rental. We also offer in-kind support such as origami workshops or tea ceremony experiences and half-day tours for overseas delegates to Tokyo’s finest attractions to ensure the best experience of Tokyo for conference participants. As there are various requirements for the subsidy and in-kind support, please get in touch with the business events team for details. Our team of experts can also advise organizers on the best venues, hotels, and activities, as well as assist with the booking process and the sourcing of vendors, etc. We are always happy to help.
The Tokyo International Forum (TIF), located in the heart of the city, is Tokyo’s flagship conference venue, boasting world-class convention venues, including a plenary hall with a capacity of up to 5,000, along with exhibition space and many smaller conference rooms. TIF also has a stellar track record on sustainability with solar-generated power, solar-heated water, and food waste and water recycling. TIF is also a beautiful glass architectural marvel, conceived in the image of a ship. This is the perfect location for any mega-conference.
For a smaller, more cultural facility, Tokyo currently offers 75 Tokyo Unique Venues, from temples to museums to theme parks; from the list, you will find your perfect venue for any banquet or gala dinner, as well as valuable advice from our committed Unique Venues team on how best to utilize each venue. Even iconic landmarks such as Tokyo Tower or the Tokyo Sky Tree are available for hire.
Tokyo has more than 180,000 guest rooms, with something for everyone, from deluxe rooms for board members to budget options for students.
The Tokyo Edition Toranomon is a great option for those looking for the best accommodation Tokyo has to offer. It has 206 guest rooms, including 22 luxury suites with stunning city views. Other facilities include three restaurants, three bars, a luxury gym, a custom-designed spa, and four meeting studios.
Look no further than the recently renovated Westin Tokyo for another great option. It has 438 spacious guest rooms with 20 suite rooms, 203 twin rooms, and 215 doubles, as well as a fitness center, a spa, and eight restaurants. It also has 16 venues available for business events with a maximum capacity of 1,440 in theatre style.
For a budget-friendly option, Remm Hotel, a group with hotels situated in various locations throughout the city close to major stations, offers comfortable and cheap guest rooms ideal for students and young delegates.
Central Tokyo is easily accessible from both Haneda and Narita airports by public transport, with the transfer from Haneda taking 20 minutes and from Narita taking 55. Haneda Airport is connected to 55 cities worldwide, and Narita is connected to 101, making Tokyo an obvious choice wherever you may be. Japan also has visa-waiver agreements with an impressive 70 countries and regions for smooth entry.
Once in Tokyo, commuting is easy due to the extensive public transport system, known for being safe and exceedingly punctual while providing quick access to any area of the city.
For those who want to experience Tokyo’s most cutting-edge attraction, I recommend teamLab Borderless, which has recently opened in Azabudai Hills. This breathtaking digital art museum was made under the theme of ‘Wander, Explore and Discover in One Borderless World’, and it takes immersive experiential art to the next level with new exhibits such as the Bubble Universe. It is the perfect post-conference activity for anyone interested in either art or digital technologies.
For those after a more quaint attraction, why not venture out to the mountains and rivers of Tokyo’s Tama region to visit a Japanese Sake Brewery or go and learn about an ethical gin distillery start-up that makes all its drinks from waste products?
Lastly, I would like to recommend our newest Unique Venue, the Kokugikan. This is Tokyo’s famous sumo stadium, located in Ryogoku, a neighborhood known for all things sumo. The hanging roof, directly over the sumo ring, and the pictures of sumo around the venue give Kokugikan an authentically Japanese atmosphere, and by removing the sumo ring, it can be turned into a 1,600 square meter event space perfect for gala dinners, presentations, and exhibitions. Please consider the Kokugikan for a bespoke business event experience unique to Tokyo.
For those interested in bringing their business events to the next level in Tokyo, please get in touch with the Business Events Tokyo team by email or send us an inquiry on the form on our website. For the latest updates, please also follow us on LinkedIn.
Issue #9 – April 2024