Newly opened next to Haneda Airport: HANEDA INNOVATION CITY, a complex where cutting-edge and traditional meet

The facility is unique in that while it offers shopping, gourmet food, and events, it also has facilities for research and development and conventions. It is a place where you can experience the lifestyle of the future, including advanced mobility, healthcare, and robotics. At the same time, as Haneda is also known as the "gateway to Japan," you can also experience Japanese art and culture, both old and new.

The unique charm of HICity is that it offers a mysterious mix of "future and tradition." Let's take a look at what it was like right after it opened.

"Autonomous buses" without steering wheels operate for free

One of the advanced mobility experiences available at HICity is the autonomous bus. The bus circulates around the vast facility, which covers an area of 5.9 hectares, and is free to ride. It runs every 30 minutes between 10:30 and 13:30 and 14:30 and 16:30 every day.

The vehicle seats 11 people and has no driver's seat, but is equipped with a touch panel instead. The bus uses GPS to measure its location and autonomously drives along a set route. Sensors automatically detect obstacles and pedestrians and stop automatically.

For the time being, staff will be on board to check safety, but the goal is eventually to have no staff on board and passengers will be able to board and disembark by themselves, using a touch panel to select their disembarkation location, just like in an elevator.

It took about eight minutes to complete one 700m lap around the HICity facility, running at a slow speed of 7 to 8km per hour. It moved smoothly and was a very comfortable ride. Please come and experience the futuristic sensation of autonomous driving.

An experiential shopping facility that makes full use of mixed reality

"Haneda Dejima | DEJIMA by 1→10" is a mixed reality (MR) entertainment experience that lets you experience a virtual world overlaid on the real world. You can learn about Japanese culture while traveling between reality and virtual space.

Upon entering the facility, staff dressed as ninjas will appear and invite you into the world of the story. The currently available digital experience program is "The Heart of ZIPANGU." This attraction, based on the concept of "Japan that never opened its doors to the world," involves wearing the MR glasses "Magic Leap 1" and rescuing a captured princess.

Instead of sitting still in their seats, participants moved around the room to follow the story. There was no barrier between them and the stage, and the powerful performance unfolded right in front of them, making them feel as if they were immersed in the story and experiencing a sense of realism.

Beautiful images, music, and projection mapping are layered over the actors' movements, creating an extraordinary world that is different from both stage and film.

Haneda Dejima also had an exhibition and sales space where masterpieces created by artisans inspired by beautiful places all over Japan were on display. These could be purchased through ENU, a fan community commerce site that connects Japanese culture and craftsmanship with consumers.

The goal of the entire facility, "Haneda Dejima," is to become a place where Japan can present the content it boasts to the world. It will also be a place where Japanese people can "rediscover the charm of Japan."

Haneda Dejima | DEJIMA by 1→10 (One to Ten)

"The Heart of ZIPANGU"

Pilot an aircraft in a full-scale flight simulator

Because it is located at an airport, we would like you to try out the flight simulator experience "LUXURY FLIGHT."

Anyone can easily try out the realistic airplane flight simulators imported directly from overseas. What's more, the planes you pilot here are not passenger planes, but fighter jets. You can fly in formation or enjoy a high-speed flight, making for a unique experience. I tried it myself, and it was such an exciting experience that the scenery that unfolded before my eyes was so realistic that it made me nervous.

The trial class "15-minute trial plan" costs 3,300 yen (tax included). The course takes off from Runway 36 at Yokota Air Base, climbs to 3,000Ft, circles around and returns to Yokota Air Base. Reservations can be made in advance on the website.

In addition, at the main store on the 5th floor of Haneda Airport's Terminal 1, you can experience an airliner simulator. After flying a fighter jet, why not try your hand at piloting an airliner?

LUXURY FLIGHT

A gourmet spot with a wide variety of Japanese delicacies

Our recommended gourmet spot is "Creadisce." It is a casual restaurant that combines a bookshop with a selection of books and goods, and safe, delicious dining using locally produced ingredients. It is open from 5am, so you can also use it for breakfast before your flight.

A popular menu item is the "Maruzen Hayashi Rice Set" for 1,000 yen (tax included). There are various theories about how Hayashi rice was named, but it is said that it was invented and named by Maruzen's founder Hayashi Ariki in the early Meiji period. This great value set includes Hayashi rice, salad, and a free drink. The rich demi-glace sauce with a sour tomato flavor is filled with tender meat, giving it a rich flavor.

Creadisce

"HANEDA SKY BREWING" is a dining bar with a brewery attached. In addition to "MADE IN OTA," a craft beer brewed with carefully selected malt and hops from around the world and free of flavorings, colorings, or preservatives, you can enjoy eight types of craft beer at any time, including beers brewed in Tokyo. The food menu is characterized by a lineup that actively uses fresh vegetables from the local Ota ward and produce from partner cities, and all of the food is perfect with beer.

HANEDA SKY BREWING

"Satomusubi" is a brick-and-mortar store of the website "Satomusubi," which has compiled a database of local products, regional cuisine, tourist information, etc. It is always partnered with 5 to 8 regions, and serves dishes, sweets, local sake, and more that make use of regional ingredients at lunch, cafe, and dinner times.

Satomusubi

If you need a short break, head to the Footbath Sky Deck.

The foot bath on the spacious Sky Deck overlooking Haneda Airport is free of charge. Relax and take photos while watching the planes take off. Enjoy the foot bath to your heart's content on the spacious deck.

HANEDA INNOVATION CITY is a must-see new attraction in Tokyo. You can enjoy it in a variety of ways, such as spending some time here before leaving on a trip or experiencing it as part of your Tokyo sightseeing.

HANEDA INNOVATION CITY