TOKYO
Exceptional Quality
Expanding Possibilities

Enormous in scale, Tokyo offers countlessrare and exciting learning experiences.
No city is better for building
a team’s spirit and expanding its abilities.
Why? Throughout its long history,
the culture of this densely populated island nation
has centered on building social harmony,interpersonal relationships, and communal spirit.
No one knows more about cooperation and teamwork.
And Tokyo’s unique culture, both modern and traditional,
creates learning opportunities and growth experiences
not found in other great world cities.
Are you searching for the most rewarding destinationfor effective and inspiring team building?
We’ve selected some possibilities to stimulate you.

Index4

CSR - Tokyo Style

7

Savor a Unique Culture

12Team up in Tokyo

15

City of Enterprise

18

Tokyo Technology

21

Sample Itinerary

22

About Tokyo

Leading Areas for Business Events
There are a number of areas in Tokyo
that feature dense concentrations ofmeeting spaces, exhibition halls andaccommodations. These areas areworking together to attract businessevents to Tokyo, with the advice andsupport of TCVB.

3

Category 1 - CSR

4

Category 1 - CSR

CSR - Tokyo Style1. Community traditions
Local festivals where omikoshi portableshrines are paraded shoulder high aroundthe neighborhood are a centuries old Tokyocustom. You’re welcome to join the fun ofthese joyful and energetic festivals, whereyou’ll make new friends and contribute to
the preservation of a living tradition.
Time: half day

2. Meet the future
An NPO project takes foreign embassy staff
to Tokyo schools to broaden the minds ofthe next generation. Your group can become
cultural ambassadors too, contributing theirskills and life experiences, and discovering
how to communicate and exchange ideas
with eager young minds.
Time: 95 min.

3. Make a splash!
Tokyo’s old neighborhoods traditionallysprinkled their streets with water to cool
the city in the midsummer heat, and anationwide program now encourages
millions to use recycled household water.
Visit on the right dates in July/August,and your group can join this fun event.
Time: 60 min. Area: Tokyo Marunouchi

54. Urban ecology
Guided tours introduce the groundbreaking
urban development that’s transforming
Tokyo’s central business districts ofOtemachi, Marunouchi and Yurakucho.
With unbeatable access and every
amenity needed by global enterprises, thisfashionable area of tree-lined streets isalso an experiment in sustainable urbancommunity.
Time: 120 min. Area: Tokyo Marunouchi

5. Keeping it natural
Natural eco-systems exist even in thisgiant metropolis, and the city has many
programs to preserve endangered species,
clean river banks and plant trees andvegetation. Your contribution is welcome
to help protect Tokyo’s nature. You’ll also
learn some uniquely Japanese approaches toconservation.
Time: 150-180 min. / half day© NPO Arakawa Clean-aid Forum

6Category 1 - CSR

Category 2 - Culture

Savor a Unique Culture71. Worlds within worlds
The art of creating exquisite miniatureworlds, bonsai is also a hands-on study into
the essential principles of nature and beauty.
Under expert guidance, your group will craft
tiny landscapes, gaining practical insights
into how balance and harmony can enhancelife and work.
Time: 60 min.

2. Tokyo’s historical heart
Nihonbashi bridge is the old center
point of Tokyo, and this neighborhood
is still a hive of traditional crafts. Holda party for your group, with everyone
wearing kimono, at a unique tree-filledvenue designed to evoke the characterof this historic area.
Time: 30-60 min. Area: Nihonbashi

8Category 2 - Culture3. A taste of harmony
Traditional restaurant designs encouragegroup dining, to savor friendship as well as
cuisine. Looking out over tranquil gardens
and the forested mountains of westernTokyo, enjoy a meal where everything is inperfect balance, the ideal of harmony at theheart of Japanese hospitality.
Area: Hachioji

4. Eat and drink, Tokyo style
People the world over enjoy relaxingafter work with colleagues, but it’s
especially important in Japan, where work
relationships are very highly valued. TheTokyo version of the pub, called izakaya, isperfect for this, offering cheerful food anddrink in a uniquely friendly atmosphere.
Area: Waterfront

5. Bond over beef
If Japanese hosts ask you to share a mealof yakiniku, it means they want to cement
your friendship around the barbecue table.
And if you’re getting VIP treatment, yourteam might be invited to try authentic
wagyu beef, rarely available outside Japan.

96. Something for everyone
Eating together builds team spirit. But
what if some members have strict dietary
beliefs? Tokyo has you covered, withmany great restaurants offering choicesfrom vegan to halal, all of them with thatunique touch this city of gourmets adds
to any cuisine.

10Category 2 - Culture7. Tokyo wine
Coming late to beer and whiskey, today
Japan produces some of the world’s best.
Now, it’s the turn of wine, and amazingly,
even Tokyo has its own local wineries.
These are a great outing, where you cantaste unique wines and sample distinctively
Japanese finger food.

8. Farming in the city
Visit an organic farm in west Tokyo
to sample its delicious products andobserve its unique approach to growing
natural food in the urban environment.
Supplying quality organic vegetables
and honey to upscale Tokyo restaurants,
it’s part of a local community
regeneration program.
Area: Hachioji

11Category 3 - Team Building

12

Category 3 - Team Building

Team up in Tokyo1. Temple yoga
Yoga trains body and mind, and can also bea great team building exercise. Tokyo, ofcourse, adds something different: not only
will your team learn unique Japanese yoga
variations, they’ll do it in the spiritual
atmosphere of a traditional Buddhist temple.
Time: 60 min.
© Terakoya Buddha Association

2. Ancient court music
Seated in a tranquil shrine, experience
the healing effect of Japan’s ancient court
music, and try your hand at playing theseunique and rarely seen instruments. Expert
instructors will guide your group to produce
the timelessly magical, ethereal sounds of agagaku orchestra.
Area: Roppongi

3. Tsukiji cooking challenge
You’ve heard of Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market,
but did you know you can learn cooking
there too? Your team will design menus,
buy ingredients from the market andprepare meals, acquiring the skills to throw
authentic Japanese-style parties back home.
Time: 120–180 min.

13

4. Team up to make TV
A team-building activity for those who wanta real challenge. In a studio at one of Japan’s
biggest broadcast stations, teams produce anentire TV program, with members acting
as everything from anchor to director andcameraman, operating real TV equipment.
Area: Waterfront

5. Program a robot PAThis compact, highly-intelligent robot
personal assistant is also a phone, cameraand projector, and even a friend who willsing and dance for you. Your team must
brainstorm a presentation and program
their robot to demonstrate its range ofcapabilities.

6. Sing away the stress
People everywhere love karaoke to blow off
steam with co-workers. Karaoke contests
are great for building team spirit, and noone cares if your singing isn’t great. It’sa Japanese invention, so Tokyo boasts
cutting-edge facilities and devices you’ll findnowhere else.
Area: Shinagawa

14

Category 3 - Team BuildingCategory 4 - EnterpriseCity of Enterprise15

1. The latest in logistics
Japan’s distribution networks are constantly
evolving as society changes, and nowherechanges faster than Tokyo. Tour one ofJapan’s largest logistics hubs to discover how
it is adding value to distribution, and how it
makes people’s lives more convenient.
Time: 90 min.

2. Survival is a team skill
Japan has a long history of coping withnatural calamities, and Tokyo pioneered
modern disaster planning. In this stateof-the-art facility, designed to prepare
citizens for emergencies, you’ll experienceearthquake and evacuation simulations,and learn the importance of teamwork forsurvival.
Time: 60–90 min. Area: Waterfront

3. Waterfront renaissanceTokyo’s Tennozu waterfront is a hot areafor young startups. On a visit to oneof the companies behind this creativetransformation, your team will see
warehouses converted into everything fromwine cellars to media spaces. They also
make unique venues for exhibitions andartistic events.
Area: Shinagawa

16

Category 4 - Enterprise4. Experience the market
Learn about Japan’s latest business trends at
Tokyo Stock Exchange. After a tour on theunique history of finance in Japan, take partin a stock trading simulation game to geta hands-on experience of Japan’s corporate
world and one of the world’s leading stockmarkets.
Time: 60–90 min. Area: Nihonbashi

5. Tokyo business manners
Mastering local rules of etiquette is vitalfor success in Japan. An intensive seminar
guiding you through the intricacies ofbowing, business cards and navigating
cultural differences will be a fun learning
experience and a head start for doing
business in Tokyo.
Time: 60 min.

6. Urban design up close
Roppongi is a center of art, shopping andentertainment that also features some ofTokyo’s most cutting edge architecture.
Guided by smart devices, your group will
explore the latest developments in urban
art and design, then visit facilities relevantto their fields of interest.
Area: Roppongi17

Category 5 - Technology

18

Category 5 - Technology

Tokyo Technology

1. The future of running
To see what the future holds for the cityrunner, try this international 60m indoor
track in Tokyo Bay. The new stadium’s
innovative architecture, latest athletic
technology, and barrier-free design attracts
runners from beginners to professionals.
Area: Waterfront

2. Team table tennis
Visit one of the world’s leading table
tennis equipment manufacturers, a longterm supplier to many professional events.
Discover how technology is advancing
the game, and if you’re lucky, a former
international player might be on hand toarrange a tournament for your team.
Time: 30–40 min.

3. Life-saving technology
As an earthquake prone nation that’s
technologically advanced, Japan leads theworld in seismic safety equipment. Visita small Tokyo company that producesstate-of-the-art sensor alarm systems that
not only signal approaching quakes, but
automatically shut
down elevators,
gas andmachinery.
Time: 60 min.

19

4. Tokyo fashion secrets
When it comes to street fashion Tokyo
has long led the world, thanks to the city’senergetic and ever-changing subcultures.
A workshop with one of the professionals
behind these trends is guaranteed to
sharpen up your team’s creativeand marketing
capabilities.
Time: 60 min.

5. An animating experience
If your team includes anime fans, they will
be fascinated by this museum dedicatedto its history and techniques. But evennewcomers to this uniquely Japanese art
will enjoy having their creativity stimulatedby these interactive displays and digital
editing workshops.
Time: 40 min.

6. Eco-friendly tableware
Plastics transformed our world, but damage
the environment. Visit a Tokyo company
whose CSR project resulted in new materials
as versatile as conventional plastics but safe
to incinerate. They produce eco-friendlytableware from waste paper and recycledplastics, using paper powder technology.

20

Category 5 - Technology

5-Day Incentive Trip

Sample Itinerary

Welcome Party
Tokyo Bay night cruise

19:00

10:00

Team Building

Temple yoga
P. 13

9:30

DAY 1

13:00

DAY 2

Enterprise
Waterfront renaissanceTeam Building
Tsukiji cooking challenge

P. 16

10:00

12:00

P. 13

DAY 3

14:30

Culture

16:30

9:00

TechnologyCSR

BonsaiCompany TourRiver ecosystem project

P. 8

P. 19

P. 6

DAY 4

13:30

Enterprise
Urban architecture
P. 17

19:00

CultureTraditional Japanese dining
P. 9DAY 5Departure21

About Tokyo
General Information
Japan’s capital, modern and cosmopolitan, also boasts a richcultural heritage. In the center, towering skyscrapers contrast withthe venerable Tokyo Station building and the densely wooded
gardens of the Imperial Palace with its surrounding moat. From
the fashionable upscale shopping district of Ginza it’s just a shortwalk to the historic theater where traditional kabuki plays are still
performed. The scale of the metropolitan area is enormous: Tokyo’s
train network serves around 39 million daily commuters, and eventhe city’s taxis carry one million people every day. River buses andcruisers ply the rivers and Tokyo Bay, and a popular excursion
is to dine aboard an old-style yakatabune boat, singing karaoke
while enjoying the sights of the waterfront. This is truly a city withsomething for everyone.

Best Times of the Year to Visit Tokyo
The most popular seasons to visit Tokyo are spring (March to May)and autumn (September to November). The cherry blossoms bloom
from late March to early April, and you can enjoy the autumn leaves
from mid to late November. Tokyo has a rainy season, which lasts
from early June to mid July.

Event Calendar
MONTH

EVENT

January

New YearFebruary

Setsubun, Daruma Kuyo FestivalTokyo Marathon

MarchLOCATION
Nishi-Arai Daishi Temple

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Tokyo Station

Hanami Cherry Blossom Festival

Ueno Park and around the city

AnimeJapan Expo

Tokyo Big Sight

April

Yabusame Horseback Archery

Sumida ParkMay

Kanda Matsuri Festival

Kanda Myojin Shrine

Sanja Matsuri Festival

Asakusa Jinja Shrine

June

Sanno Matsuri Festival

Hie-Jinja Shrine

July

Sumida River Fireworks Festival

Sumida River

Iriya Asagao Matsuri Morning Glory Festival

Around Iriya Kishimojin

Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri Festival

Tomioka-Hachimangu Shrine

Koenji Awa-Odori Dance Festival

JR Koenji Station Area

Asakusa Samba Carnival

Asakusa

September

Sanma Matsuri Pacific Saury Festival

MeguroOctoberTokyo International Film Festival

Roppongi Hills

NovemberTori-No-Ichi Roosters Fair

AugustTokyo Motor Show (every two years)
December
22

Hagoita-Ichi Battledore Market

About Tokyo

Chokoku-Ji Temple, Otori Shrineand a few other sites
Tokyo Big Sight
Sensoji Temple

Typical Flight Times

AccessAir AccessTokyo’s two international airports (Narita and Haneda) handle all
major carriers, providing convenient access for visitors from aroundthe globe and serving as a hub for the whole Asian region. Narita
has 1,610 international flights a week to 103 cities around theworld, and recently added a dedicated low-cost carrier terminal tofurther enhance its service. Haneda, now with 24-hour operation,
provides over 760 international flights weekly to 31 destinations.

Transportation in and around Tokyo
Rail – Tokyo’s extensive, and famously punctual, train andsubway network is the most convenient way to get around. There
are stations close to your hotel, convention venue and all sites ofinterest.
Taxis – Taxis are plentiful in central Tokyo. There are taxi ranks athotels, stations and many other sites, or you can simply hail one on
the street.
Shinkansen – All six super-express inter-city lines depart fromTokyo Station, with some trains also stopping at Shinagawa andUeno Stations. This world-class high-speed rail network serves
every part of Japan from Hokkaido, Aomori, Akita, and Yamagata
in the north, to Kyoto in the west (approx. 140 trains a day), south
to Hakata and other cities on Kyushu, and across to Niigata on theJapan Sea and Nagano in the Central Highlands.

All information in this brochure is correct as of August 2017, but is subject to change without prior notice. Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau andTokyo Metropolitan Government disclaim any liability for any loss or damages incurred by third-party products or services. Copyright © 2017 Tokyo
Convention & Visitors Bureau. All rights reserved.
23