Tokyo Midtown Yaesu – Ten Minute Tokyo

Kind: Mixed use

Where: East of Tokyo Station

Free Wifi: Yes

Our Rating: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑

Worth it? A must-see.

In 2019 when we visited Tokyo, we saw something huge being built across the street from the east side of Tokyo Station (known as the Yaesu side).

From high atop the 3rd floor perch we could see a massive development going on across the street and wondered what it was.

Well, now we know: it was Tokyo Midtown Yaesu (TMY) being built, which is now completed.

Like its counterpart just south in Hibiya, TMY is an epic, vast luxury multi-use tower right across from the east exit of Tokyo Station.

And it is spectacular. The surrounding area has also been renovated and some other newer buildings have been constructed. This gives the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station a whole new feel. The area around Tokyo Station is known as Marunouchi.

There is so much to do in this area, it’s incredible. In fact, the entire area is known as Tokyo Station City because there are also numerous shopping malls, restaurants, museums, and more both above and below the station.

The station itself is a small city and you can easily get lost for hours underground navigating your way through its maze. Plan on spending at least 1/2 a day here if not an entire day.

*Looking back from TMY towards the Yaesu entrance of Tokyo Station (left) and the DAIMARU department store (center).*

Getting There

You can take just about any of the main Tokyo lines into Tokyo Station, or you can walk from Yurkucho/Ginza to the south, or from Otemachi or Nihonbashi to the north. Both directions are a short walk.

TMY consists of 3 buildings, but the one closest to the street is a huge curved 5-story building full of just about every kind of store you can imagine. At night the front of the building becomes like a dazzling lighted fish tank and you can stand across the street and watch the building’s occupants milling around.

There’s also a bus terminal in the building which takes a lot of the bus load off Tokyo Station itself. Previously busses had to pull into the Tokyo Station front area, or at the smaller bus terminal on the north side of the station, which caused a lot of traffic jams. Now you can get local, tour, and airport busses from TMY, which is good because previously to catch a bus to Narita, you had to head east to the TCAT bus terminal in Suitengumae, or use the north bus area.

*An overhead view of Marunouchi from TMY looking north. Tokyo Station is just to the left.*

Shops

There are a wide variety of shops in TMY, including a 7-11, a Family Mart convenience store, and a Welcia drug store. There’s also an ANKER store, and more.

All-in-all plan on spending at least a day walking around Tokyo Station and TMY – if you want to see Ginza and Yurakucho to the south, plan on spending 2 days.

Southwest of Tokyo Station there’s also the Tokyo International Forum, and a huge BIC Camera.

Marunouchi is so gorgeous and vibrant you won’t want to miss this area on any trip to Tokyo.

Enjoy!