Event organisers in search of creative locations in Japan’s capital, especially those with artistic significance and historical influences, can choose from a varying mix, from a Noh theatre to a traditional garden
Brought to you by Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau
Event organisers and planners should consider holding their next event in Tokyo as the pulsating capital of Japan promises unique sights and experiences ideal for events of various sizes.
Organisers in favour of creative event venues, especially those steeped in cultural significance and historical influences, are spoilt for choice, with a variety ranging from a Noh theatre to a traditional garden.
A Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB) spokesperson told TTGmice: “Tokyo Unique Venues stands out for its unmatched variety. We have every sort of venue imaginable, from historic buildings reminiscent of Tokyo’s rich heritage to one-of-a-kind contemporary inventive spaces expected from a boundary-pushing city such as ours. Tokyo is truly the epitome of fusion.”
Kanze Noh Theater
Instead of choosing the usual modern auditorium for conferences, event organisers can opt for a cultural performance facility like the Kanze Noh Theater instead.
Noh is a highly refined and elegant traditional Japanese performance art dating from the 14th century.
Conveniently located in GINZA SIX, a popular new spot in the chic Ginza area, the classic theatre’s Lobby makes a remarkable venue to hold a reception or party, while its 1,302m² Hall is ideal for seminars and conferences accommodating 480 people.
Learning more about the traditional performance art form in the heart of Tokyo is also a unique opportunity to immerse delegates in quintessential Japanese culture.
While at the theatre, they can also catch a dramatic offering by one of its most prominent schools, or listen to a lecture about the art form.
Big organisations are already taking note of this location — this year, a major corporation capitalised on the unique venue to provide an astonishing backdrop for its conference.
As a historic building by Frank Lloyd Wright, a master of modern architecture, Jiyugakuen Myonichikan provides an impressive setting for an event.
Originally designed as a school in 1921, the historic and artistic value of the structure, reflecting both Japanese and Western aesthetics, led to its designation as an Important Cultural Property.
The 136m² Lounge Hall and 94m² Dining Hall, which look out over a beautiful lawn area, and its 455m² Auditorium are available for events, including formal dinners, buffet receptions, and cocktail parties.
The Lounge Hall can accommodate 30 seated guests and 50 people standing while the Dining Hall can take in 72 pax and 100 pax for its sitting and standing spaces respectively. The Auditorium has a seating capacity of 220.
The venue is also an excellent choice for various purposes from product launches to seminars.
For its 2021-2022 Autumn-Winter collection, a men’s apparel brand held a fashion show at the Auditorium located on the south side of the grounds.
To leverage the atmosphere of the historical venue, the decorations on the building and in the space were kept to a minimum, and a salon-style was adopted where the audience could surround the models and appreciate the entire experience.
One of the women’s fashion brands chose to stage their show in the front garden instead – where models walked on the lawn during twilight. The impressive outline of the property provided the perfect backdrop for the performance.
To stage events against a natural landscape with cultural elements, planners can look to traditional Japanese gardens for added historical charm.
Comprising a large pond and man-made hills with exquisite garden rocks collected from all across Japan, Kiyosumi Gardens from the Meiji period (1868-1912) offers a splendid option that adds an element of tranquility to any business event.
The 475m² Taisho Kinenkan Hall, associated with Emperor Taisho and Empress Teimei, allows for receptions done in either formal or buffet style for an unforgettable dining experience which affords magnificent views of the garden.
It can accommodate up to 90 people for a seated dinner and 130 people for a standing reception.
Pre-dinner cocktail parties can also be held in the Ryotei lodge, which can host up to 30 people, overlooking the pond for guests to enjoy the feeling of “floating” on water.
The TCVB spokesperson added: “TCVB believes that the utilisation of cultural and historical facilities as unique venues is meaningful as it enhances the value of the location, as well as increases the significance of the business event. These facilities are pro-actively seeking to host MICE events and are flexible to accommodate different requests. TCVB has also received many inquiries and is constantly on a lookout for creative uses for the venues.”
Easy access to unique venues
Planners keen to utilise one-of-a-kind locations in Tokyo to organise memorable events can expect free quality guidance and assistance from TCVB’s experienced staff, from venue recommendations to site inspections and communication with vendors.
Tokyo Unique Venues established in 2018, in particular, underscores Tokyo’s ability to deliver on business event expectations every time.
To learn more about the city’s wide-ranging distinctive venues, visit Tokyo Unique Venues.
