A Tokyo Excursion - Takanawa Gateway City

I have a love-hate relationship with Tokyo. Hear me out. For nearly a decade, I commuted into Tokyo for work. The positions I took on were stimulating and rewarding, but the commute was a grind. I figured out some strategies for minimizing the misery of the commute to get a seat, often with very early mornings to catch the first departing trains. And then there were the legs of journeys that required braving train cars packed to capacity, cheek by jowel with ehem, "fragrant" salaryman types. It was a grind that I endured to get to jobs I loved from the Kanto hinterlands.

Fast forward another decade commuting Kanto suburb to suburb on much less crowded trains on shorter routes, and I'm a much happier person. Nevertheless, The Big Mikan, Tokyo, calls me back.

In the last few years, I've learned to appreciate Tokyo's Minato Ward as a destination, exploring spots such as Italy Street and Takeshiba Shinhakkei, a garden scaling the Tokyo Portcity Takeshiba Office Tower. It's a treat with the many water features, lush plantings, vegetable gardens, and even beehives. 

This week, on a friend's invitation, I ventured a few more stations deeper to Tananawa Gateway City. I was pleasantly surprised by the attention to human-scale spaces that stimulate all the senses. The station concourse is a great train spotting location with lots of street furniture with organic shapes. Even a street piano and a plaza to host events.

Immediately outside the ticket gates, you are in Takanawa Gateway City dominated by the NEWoMan complex in various towers. I kept looking up every step of the way. Fascinating architectural details use laminated timber, steel, and concrete. The complex strives to create a "villa" atmosphere right in the city. It really feels like a retreat from mad Tokyo life.


The autonomous hydrogen-powered people mover on the concourse

The highlight of the visit was NEWoMan Takanawa Luftbaum, a garden retreat and observatory overlooking Sengakuji temple. On a clear day, you can see the city spread out before you and Mt. Fuji in the background.

The finish to the afternoon excursion was the Museum of Narratives. At the top, there is an observation deck with water features - a pool with an Instagram-worthy view, footbaths, and gardens.

I felt very relaxed and intrigued by the plentiful "third spaces", locations to socialize, appreciate architecture, nature, and chill out. And I gained a new appreciation for living next to one of the world's capital cities.

Have you been to Takanawa Gateway City? Are there other "third spaces" in major cities you recommend spending time in?