Blue Front Shibaura: A New Base for Exploration on Tokyo's Waterfront

Tokyo may be one of the world’s largest cities, but it all started as a quiet fishing village named Edo. From centuries-old riverside gardens to shimmering skyscrapers, expanding and overlapping train and ocean travel routes, and sustainable urban development on a monumental scale, visiting the Shibaura area of Tokyo's waterfront shows how the relationship between the city and the bay continues to evolve with the tide.

In 2025, this evolution is taking a bold step forward with Blue Front Shibaura – a mixed-use complex anchored by the brand-new oceanfront skyscraper TOWER S. Just a 6-minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station, the complex combines office, hotel, retail and residential spaces, directly connected to Haneda Airport via Tokyo Monorail and water taxi services. Blue Front Shibaura is attracting attention as a new area that's a perfect first stop or base of exploration in Tokyo.

Experience Tokyo’s Next Chapter — Blue Front Shibaura

The large-scale project is a mixed-use development designed over ten years by Maki and Associates, founded by internationally renowned architect Fumihiko Maki. It consists of twin towers standing approximately 230 meters tall and a low-rise section merging with the greenery of the Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Gardens and Shibaura Canal. The first building – TOWER S – shimmers elegantly along the waterfront and fully opened to the public in September 2025. A second residential building – TOWER N – with complementary design is scheduled to be completed in 2030.

Blue Front Shibaura is home to Canal Dining Hall on the second floor, featuring over 700 seats in an expansive atrium and diverse international culinary options, making it a perfect place to dine or rest before continuing your journey. Part of the hall functions as an open space where both locals and visitors can gather, relax or study.

Blue Front Shibaura also features three evocative public art installations, adding small discoveries to your visit. One highlight is "Opening Infinity," a massive piece suspended from the ceiling in the Canal Dining Hall. More new and compelling art-focused installations and events will be held in the future.

The luxury hotel Fairmont Tokyo occupying the upper floors offers cafes, restaurants and terraces open to the public, providing breathtaking views of Tokyo's skyline. Blue Front Shibaura also features a dedicated boat landing, with plans to develop cruise experiences in collaboration with Fairmont Tokyo utilizing the pier.

While the Blue Front Shibaura development exudes a modern, cosmopolitan atmosphere, history remains ever-present. From these stunning heights, you can take in the diverse character of the city, including landmarks like Rainbow Bridge, TOKYO SKYTREE, Tokyo Tower, Shiba Park, Zojoji Temple and the Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Gardens – a 350-year-old imperial villa – before returning to discover new adventures on the waterfront below.

An Urban Greenway Powering New Potential — Green Walk and Minato City Shinhama Park

Green Walk is a new tranquil path directly connecting Hamamatsucho Station and Blue Front Shibaura. This is more than just a pedestrian corridor – it’s a quiet, purposefully developed zone incorporating nature into urban infrastructure near the waterfront. This green oasis is a soft, welcoming zone of flower beds, shaded seating and flowing water, where commuters and visitors alike can rest and recharge.

It’s not obvious when you’re walking through the urban greenery, but the entire Green Walk area is part of a sustainability demonstration project, with solar panels installed along the train tracks and an on-site hydrogen power generator that lights the walk in the evening.

The sustainable Green Walk is home to coffee roastery and cafe Jaho Coffee & Tea, American diner Palm Springs Club famous for its burgers and Italian gastropub Ortu. All three establishments are partially powered by hydrogen energy, and perfect for take-out food and drinks to be enjoyed walking amongst the flowers or relaxing on shaded benches. Green Walk also leads to Shinhama Park on the Hamamatsucho Station side close to Hinode Pier, where you can enjoy picnicking with a gentle ocean breeze.

With artificial turf areas, the park is a year-round favorite for families with children, including unique Moai statues, a child-sized observation deck and fun playground equipment. A unique highlight is a piece of play equipment imported from Europe that plays music when children spin it – an unexpected delight that quickly became famous in the neighborhood.

Green Walk is scheduled to expand further north for a total length of 600 meters by 2027, offering access to the beautiful 350-year-old Kyu-Shiba-Rikyu Gardens. Best of all, the Green Walk route is "umbrella-free" – covered and connected all the way from Hamamatsucho Station to Blue Front Shibaura – so you can roll your suitcase along without worry, even in the rain.

Take in Tokyo Bay from All Angles on the Commuter Boat — Blue Ferry

From Hinode Pier, hop aboard the brand-new Blue Ferry for a guaranteed fun ride – a quick 5-minute cruise offers amazing views of the Blue Front Shibaura building, alongside panoramic angles of Tokyo's grandeur from the sea.

The 360-degree view provides postcard-perfect angles of Tokyo Bay, including a brief moment where you can see Tokyo Tower and TOKYO SKYTREE at the same time – a unique glimpse of two of Tokyo's most prominent landmarks. They don't quite fit together in one photo, but it’s a memory you’ll take home with you.

The Blue Ferry lands at Harumi Port. This little-known area will lead you to intriguing locations like Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai and the Toyosu Fish Market, as well as into central Tokyo toward Shinbashi and Toranomon via the Tokyo BRT bus network.

Back on the Hamamatsucho side and Hinode Pier, the popular "water bus" ferries are also available to travel to famous locations like Odaiba and Asakusa. Night cruises are also available on Tokyo Bay, providing 360-degree views of Tokyo's epic nightscape and bright city lights. Staying near the waterfront and using the boat network to explore the city is a fun and eco-friendly addition to your itinerary that supports sustainable tourism.

Tokyo’s waterfront has transformed over the past few decades. What was once walled off from the city is now opening up – with new terraces, improved water quality and a growing love for life on the bay. Buildings used to turn their backs and balconies to the water, but today, they face it, and embrace Tokyo Bay as a center of vitality and purpose.

Tokyo is showing more interest in the idea of a scenic commute by water, and could perhaps be connected by new options for marine travel in the future. In fact, Blue Ferry was designed for local commuters, but it's also perfect for people who want to explore without getting overwhelmed. The ride is quick, photogenic and refreshing – a hidden gem for anyone who wants to start or end their Tokyo journey with a view of the city only the bay can offer.

Blue Front Shibaura

Address	1-1-1 Shibaura, Minato City, Tokyo
URL	Blue Front Shibaura

Fairmont Tokyo

Address	1-1-1 Shibaura, Minato City, Tokyo
URL	Fairmont Tokyo

Green Walk

Address	1-1-1 Shibaura, Minato City, Tokyo
URL	Green Walk

Minato City Shinhama Park

Address	1-1-10 Shibaura, Minato City, Tokyo
URL	Minato City Shinhama Park

Blue Ferry

Address	Vicinity of 2-7-103 Kaigan, Minato City, Tokyo
URL	Blue Ferry (JPN)

For updated information on opening hours, days closed, prices, and more, please check the official website.