Tokyo, the epicentre of youth culture, cutting edge arts and entertainment offers a lot to look forward to in 2023. New openings include the world's largest anime store Animate Ikebukuro, Japan's largest entertainment and hotel complex Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, with a cinema, two luxury lifestyle hotels, a concert venue, entertainment, bars, dining and more. And the much-anticipated teamLab Borderless will reopen in the new Toranomon Azabudai project in central Tokyo.

Animate Ikebukuro (opening March 16, 2023)

A is for anime and this year 'Animate Ikebukuro Main Store', the world's largest anime store complex, will open in Tokyo's Ikebukuro. The area is already home to other 'Animate' stores, but this 10-storey mega store will be the new flagship, a true otaku paradise with shops, event spaces, themed cafes and its own theatre. Gratte Café already opened its doors on January 26 on the ground floor serving anime beverages and cookies. The flagship store is scheduled to open on March 16.

Tokyu Kabukicho Tower (opening April 2023)

Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, in the heart of Shinjuku's nightlife area will be the biggest hotel and entertainment complex in Japan. The 48 storey Kabukicho Tower will surprise and delight with a range of entertainment facilities, including a live music venue, a theatre to seat 900, a cinema, state-of-the-art gaming amusement centre, nightlife venues, a wellness area with pool, sauna and gym. The complex will house a range of restaurants and bars and an entertainment food hall will be music themed complete with DJ booth, stage and karaoke. Tokyu Press Department said “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major global impact on how people enjoy entertainment and on people's needs for lodging facilities. However, we see that more people want to experience things in person and that people's passion for the things they enjoy is spreading across generations.”

The two new hotels are tipped to be highlight features of the new complex.  

Hotel Groove Shinjuku- (opening 19 May 2023)

Entertainment and lifestyle hotel, Hotel Groove Shinjuku (a ParkRoyal Hotel) occupies 18th to 38th floors. A base to explore the 'groove' of the big city, your home-away-from-home in the heart of Tokyo. Art and music bring colour to the hotel interiors, while guestrooms are focused on ease of use. The lower part of the reception floor acts as a social forum to connect both locals and travellers.

Bellustar Tokyo (opening 19 May 2023)

Luxury hotel, Bellustar Tokyo (a PanPacific Hotel), from the 39th to 47th floors boasts views from 170m above Shinjuku. Guestrooms have Japanese culture woven into the interior design, The Sky Private Villa on the uppermost levels features a restaurant with stunning panoramic views, a spa and five penthouse suites.

teamLab Borderless reopening at new location (date TBA around Autumn 2023)

After closing in August 2022, teamLab Borderless is set to return to a more central Tokyo location later in 2023. It will reopen in the new Toranomon Azabudai development  and the attraction will become more borderless than ever. Visit the teaser website for more information about the newly planned teamLab Borderless MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM:   https://www.teamlab.art/e/borderless_azabudai/

And more good news, the currently open teamLab PLANETS TOKYO attraction in Tokyo's Toyosu area will have two works feature cherry blossoms from, 1 March to 30 April 2023. The two works; Floating in the Falling Universe of Flowers and Drawing on the Water Surface Created by the Dance of Koi and People - Infinity, will feature cherry blossoms that bloom across the space, on view during the spring season only. The already popular teamLab PLANETS TOKYO attraction site in Toyosu been extended until at the current location until the end of 2023.