After about 40 minutes from Asakusa Nitemon-mae, I arrived at WATERS Takeshiba. I got off here, though the water bus continues on to Odaiba. By the way, the greenery you can see on the left is Hama-rikyu Gardens.
WATERS Takeshiba, which opened in June 2020, is a multi-purpose complex consisting of offices, retail space, a luxury hotel, and theaters. Right next to it are the waterfront and the Hama-rikyu Gardens. The buildings are divided into two: the Tower Building, which houses the hotel mesm Tokyo, and the Theater Building, which includes JR East’s Shiki Theatres [Spring] and [Autumn] as well as offices. Both also feature the atre Takeshiba shopping complex — interestingly, this is the first “atre” facility to open outside of a train station.
Since I visited on a weekday afternoon, the place was rather quiet. I imagine it would be livelier on weekends or in the evening when Shiki Theatre performances are on. I’d like to come back again another time.
A short walk away is the Takeshiba Ferry Terminal, from where ferries depart for the Izu Islands and even the Ogasawara Islands.
Walking toward Hamamatsucho Station, I came across the Shiba Rikyu Gardens.
The garden’s origins date back to the Meireki era (1655–1658), when the land was reclaimed from the sea. In 1678, it was granted by the 4th shogun Ietsuna to Tadatora Okubo, a senior councilor. After passing through several owners, it eventually became the Shiba residence of the Kishu Tokugawa family toward the end of the Edo period. In 1871, it came under the ownership of the Arisugawa-no-miya imperial family, and in 1875 it was purchased by the Imperial Household Ministry. The following year it was named Shiba Detached Palace.
Although the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 caused severe damage to its buildings and trees, the garden was restored and, in January 1924, was bestowed upon the City of Tokyo to commemorate the wedding of the Crown Prince (later Emperor Showa). It was opened to the public in April that year. In June 1979, it was designated a Place of Scenic Beauty under Japan’s Cultural Properties Protection Act.