January 22, 2026

New Tourist Attractions and Major Renewals Across the Tokyo Metropolitan Area in 2026

In 2026, the Tokyo metropolitan area will witness a wave of new tourist attractions and the renewal of major commercial facilities, raising expectations for fresh sources of excitement and revitalization across the region.

In Tokyo, the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Sumida Ward will reopen at the end of March after an extensive renovation that took nearly 4 years. The centerpiece of the renewed museum is a life-size replica of the Hattori Watch Shop, a symbol of Meiji-era Ginza, standing approximately 26 meters tall. The spatial design of both the interior and exterior has been overseen by architect Shohei Shigematsu, while dynamic projections of the museum’s collection onto ceilings and columns are set to become another highlight for visitors.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government also plans to complete the gigantic ODAIBA Fountain in the waterfront area by the end of fiscal 2025. The project is expected to generate an annual economic ripple effect of about 9.8 billion yen, stimulating the nighttime economy through performances that combine light and music. In addition, the international art exhibition TOKYO ATLAS will be held from October to December across Odaiba and surrounding districts, boosting the waterfront subcenter, which has seen sluggish visitor numbers since the COVID-19 pandemic.

A number of large-scale facilities are also scheduled to open outside Tokyo. In Yokohama, Base Gate Yokohama Kannai, a major complex developed by Mitsui Fudosan and its partners, will open in front of Kannai Station in March. The project aims to extend the vibrancy of the Minato Mirai 21 district into the surrounding historic area and will be linked with nearby Yokohama Stadium, allowing fans to watch games on large screens as part of a broader vision to integrate sports into urban development.

Also in March, AEON Mall Tsudanuma South will open in Narashino, Chiba Prefecture. Directly connected to Shin-Tsudanuma Station on the Keisei Matsudo Line, the mall is being developed by AEON and Keisei Electric Railway on the former site of an Ito-Yokado store that closed in 2024. Featuring a cinema complex and an event hall, the new facility is designed to become a hub where young people can gather, experience new trends, and connect with one another.