OMY! TOKYO OMY!

I recently learned more about the Ohtemachi-Marunouchi-Yurakucho area of Tokyo than I’ve learned in my 30+ years of living in Japan, thanks to a tour sponsored by the Destination Marketing Office (DMO) which is located in the Nijubashimae Building in the OMY area.

The area was originally a wasteland and later became the location of the homes of several of Japan’s feudal warlords who were of significant rank to be permitted to live close to the emperor’s palace.

In the ensuing years much of the land occupied by these Daimyo was purchased by Mitsubishi Estate which constructed an office building here in 1894.

Today the area has been developed and redeveloped to a bustling business and commercial center housing many domestic and international companies and stores.

The Otemachi Building offers working space to over 80 Fintech companies, from one-man startups to 100+ employees companies. A couple of floors up from the Fintech labs you can find Inspired Lab where young employees of the sponsoring companies collaborate on new ideas and products.

The area is not all just concrete and steel. Many buildings have comfortable open areas with inviting benches, tables and chairs, cool greenery, art work, shops, and food trucks. One even has a rooftop garden area where anyone can rent a mini space to grow vegetables. These spaces are open to all, employees and visitors alike.

Some shade tree lined streets are closed off to traffic during the heart of the workday so you can sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or a yummy snack from one of the many shops along the street.

The area is being promoted as a great area for not only an office but also for conferences (MICE). With a variety of excellent hotels, many rentable conference spaces, easy access to a number of train lines, sightseeing, shopping, and dining and drinking spaces I have to agree that it is.