Tokyo Nihonbashi Riverwalk project launches VISTA as public information hub
- Adam German
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
A sweeping urban redevelopment effort is underway to transform the Nihonbashi River corridor into a walkable, green, and globally recognized waterfront district.
Branded as the Nihonbashi Riverwalk, the initiative brings together five large-scale redevelopment projects and the underground relocation of the Metropolitan Expressway.
Arial view of the CG rendered riverwalk area courtesy of the press release linked at the bottom of the article.
At the heart of this vision is VISTA, a newly opened presentation center that offers visitors a glimpse into the future of the area through interactive exhibits, models, and videos. The hub will be operated by Metropolitan Expressway, Mitsui Fudosan, Tokyo Tatemono, and Tokyu Land Corporation.
VISTA information hub interior photos courtesy of the press release.
The Nihonbashi Riverwalk will stretch roughly 1.2 kilometers along the Nihonbashi River, with a width of about 100 meters. It includes five major redevelopment zones and their surroundings. These efforts aim to revive Tokyo’s historic identity as a “City of Water.”
The project addresses two long-standing urban challenges:
The aging expressway infrastructure over the Nihonbashi River
The need to restore the riverfront’s visual and cultural identity
The current expressway over Nihonbashi on left, finished underground expressway on right, courtesy of the press release.
The expressway will be relocated underground by 2035, and the elevated structure will be dismantled by 2040, revealing an open sky over the river. Green plazas, riverfront walkways, and open-air cafés will offer a vibrant, natural space in the city center.
Expressway seen from street view at Nihonbashi on left, finished underground street view on right, courtesy of the press release.
The area east of Tokyo Station will become a high-functioning urban hub with offices, hotels, service apartments, and MICE venues.
Further Reading:
Nihonbashi Riverwalk Development Press Release (Japanese only)
Source:
R.E. Port News (Japanese only)
