The Tokyo International Exhibition Center, commonly referred to as “Tokyo Big Sight”, is Japan’s largest exhibition and convention centre and one of the largest in the world. Built by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Tokyo International Exhibition Center opened in April 1996.
Tokyo Big Sight offers 230,000 square meters of floor space. The centre is composed of three main areas: the West Hall, the East Hall and the Conference Tower. The main exhibition halls are located in the West Hall and the East Hall.
Over 10 million people flock to the centre each year for various trade shows, exhibitions and conventions. There are over 230,000 square metres of floor space in the centre, divided up into exhibition space, meeting halls, display areas, restaurants and other facilities.
The centre is broken up into three main sections, with the conference tower being the most noticeable on the Odaiba skyline, this 58 metre upside down pyramids structure is home to the convention centre. There are 20 different halls, all of different sizes and with the latest high tech facilities, including simultaneous interpretation systems for eight languages.
The West Exhibition Hall is a monstrous two tier structure with four halls and a large atrium. There are 2 halls with over 8,800 square metres of floor space, and three halls with about 5,000 square metres. Upstairs there are a further 15,000 square metres of space with a 9,000 metre outdoor area taking in breathtaking views of Tokyo Harbour and surrounds.
The East Exhibition Hall is even larger than the west hall; it is made up of 6 pavilions with over 8,000 square metres in each. The east halls are linked with a galleria which can be combined into one large exhibition area, providing a total exhibition space of 26,010 metres square. The galleria itself is a work of art, and quite spectacular, it has a two tier 600 metre long moving walkway. The galleria is lined with restaurants, cafeterias and shops.
Tokyo Big Sight is best reached by rail via the Yurikamome Line to Kokusai-tenjijo-seimon Station (U11).
Official Website:http://www.bigsight.jp/english/index.html
