East Japan Railway Company (JR East) has opened the Takanawa Gateway City, a major redevelopment project around Takanawa Gateway Station, on March 27.
Takanawa Gateway City comprises four structures: two large-scale mixed-use buildings, “THE LINKPILLAR 1” and “THE LINKPILLAR2,” housing retail and office spaces, the Cultural Creation Building hosting exhibition halls and live venues, and a residential building. The approximately 13-hectare site was developed by downsizing and reorganizing the Tamachi Train Center, previously located on the north side of Shinagawa Station, boasting a total floor area of about 845,000 square meters, making it one of the largest downtown redevelopment projects.
Even though the city has already opened, the grand opening is scheduled for spring 2026, with ongoing construction. As of the 27th, two stores, “Nicolai Bergmann” and “Blue Bottle Coffee,” have opened in advance in The Linkpillar 1.
Meanwhile, Takanawa Gateway Station, labeled as “temporarily open” since its launch on March 14, 2020, has finally opened fully at this time. In addition to the existing north gate, a new south gate has been opened, and four new cafés and restaurants have launched within the station.
▲ Tea salon & bar “MAISON CLASSIC SALON” open on Floor 3 outside the south gate. Overlooks the entire station interior from the terrace.
The overall outline of the facility has already been reported by other media, so this article will introduce noteworthy spots from the perspective unique to our transportation-focused magazine, “TRAICY.”
Observe the Adjacent Train Yard from the Station
▲ Train yard adjacent to the station (photographed with permission from JR East from a construction site)
As mentioned above, Takanawa Gateway City was built on the former site of the Tamachi Train Center, yet part of the train yard functionality remains, allowing local trains, express train models like the E255 and E259 series, and overnight express “Sunrise Izumo/Seto” 285 series to come and go.
Previously, the view from within Takanawa Gateway Station as a known spot for train enthusiasts still exists, and with the station’s full opening, a different angle to observe the site is now available. First, this is a key highlight.
▲ View towards Shinagawa Station from the terrace outside the south gate on Floor 3.
Walking Path Linking Railway Legacy
▲ “Takanawa Link Line” created behind The Linkpillar 1
Perhaps you know that during the construction of Takanawa Gateway City, the “Takanawa Embankment” railway remains from the Meiji era were uncovered over a 1.3 km stretch near the station. Designated as a national historic site, Takanawa Embankment will be partially preserved at the site or moved to another location for future public display.
Unfortunately, most of it was dismantled for preservation purposes. Nonetheless, a space to inherit this legacy was created. It’s called “Takanawa Link Line,” a walking path spanning approximately 300 meters north to south between The Linkpillar 1, towering in front of the station, and National Route 15. The rails are embedded along the line where the embankment was discovered, almost following the former railway path.
▲ The rails are not excavated from this location, but plates show distances from the former Shimbashi Station such as “2.60 miles from Shimbashi Station.”
The planting along the pathway is noteworthy. The stones surrounding this planting come from the stone walls of the Takanawa Embankment. They are assembled at a 30-degree incline, just like the original embankment.
There’s an episode even with the wooden benches nearby. These woods originate from windbreak and snowbreak plantation trees that protected railway facilities. These were reutilized as lumber after replanting and retiring from service. Some pieces record where those trees were once planted.
▲ Wood inscribed with “Between Ouu Main Line (Akita Shinkansen) Jingūji Station – Kariwano Station, 258k020m from Fukushima Station start point”
Observe Airplanes Under Haneda’s New Route
Incidentally, Takanawa Gateway City lies beneath the new flight path over central Tokyo for Haneda Airport (Haneda New Route), making it an enjoyable spot for aircraft watching as well.
The Haneda New Route began operation on March 29, 2020, to accommodate increased international flights from Haneda Airport. It is not frequently used during winter due to wind patterns but operates on about 40% of days annually, primarily in summer. Aircraft descending to Runway C pass over Takanawa Gateway City at an altitude of approximately 400 meters from around 3 PM to 7 PM on days when southerly winds blow. As planes fly directly overhead, you can spot the “belly of the aircraft,” a rare sight.
▲ ANA’s Boeing 777-200 (tail number: JA714A) flying directly over Takanawa Gateway City
You can view airplanes up close from anywhere in the city, but the station plaza “Gateway Park” between the station and The Linkpillar 1 is a recommended spot. Relax on a bench with a drink in hand as you watch planes soaring above the newest station on the Yamanote Line and the latest area in Tokyo.
Secret Observation Terrace “Still Unknown to Anyone”
▲ Twin towers at The Linkpillar 1, consisting of NORTH and SOUTH Buildings
Finally, let’s introduce a yet-to-be-open secret spot. It’s the observation terrace between the NORTH and SOUTH towers of The Linkpillar 1.
From a height equivalent to the sixth floor, you can view Odaiba from the front. Nearby is the adjacent train yard of Takanawa Gateway Station, the Tokaido Shinkansen siding leading to JR Central’s Oi Train Center, further away you can observe the Tokyo Monorail and Rainbow Bridge. Moreover, airplanes over the Haneda New Route fly closer compared to views from the ground.
Here also feature tables and benches made using the same railway vegetation wood, allowing aviation and railway enthusiasts to leisurely enjoy the mesmerizing view. Although the specific opening date is yet to be determined, it is expected to be open to the public following the full opening of The Linkpillar 1.
With the upcoming openings of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen starting from nearby Shinagawa Station and the Haneda Airport Access Line, Takanawa Gateway City seems poised to grow as a place where transportation enthusiasts cannot keep their eyes off.
Notice
This article was generated using automatic translation by GPT-4 API. The translation may not be accurate.
