Arielle Busetto 
Ginza Sony Park from the intersection. (Courtesy of Ginza Sony Park)
On January 26, Ginza Sony Park opened its doors to the public, offering a fresh take on urban spaces by blending art, technology, and community in the heart of Tokyo.
Welcoming the media on January 23, reporters could visit the six floors that comprise the unique building.
The building aims to be a "garden" in the heart of Ginza, explained Sony Enterprise President and Representative Director Daisuke Nagano during the media event.
Nagano elaborated that he wanted to create an innovative space where people could "make it their own."
An Epoch-Making Building
Ginza Sony Park is a reconstruction of the Sony Building, which was open to the public between 1966 and 2017.
The Sony Building for a time was touted as a beacon of innovation, showcasing Sony's cutting-edge technology to visitors from around the world. It was a showroom to exhibit Sony's latest electronics and state-of-the-art technology. As someone visiting Tokyo from Italy, I remember it as a futuristic location to see the devices of tomorrow.
This time, the new building is moving away from the concept of a showroom. Designed with a minimalist aesthetic, its simple concrete structure tries to encourage "free use of the space," said Nagano.
"There are no tenets. [...] Instead, we are putting together space and activities."
Nagano also explained that he wishes to continue Sony's legacy of impactful innovation.
"The Walkman, first released in 1979 created a new culture of listening to music alone. PlayStation changed the culture of gaming, from something for kids to something adults could also enjoy."
"With Ginza Sony Park, we wanted to create a similar transformative location," said Nagano.
An Interactive Space
One might wonder what brought the building to unveil its new face in January 2025.
The Sony Enterprise President gave some insight on what brought the company to re-evaluate its flagship building in Ginza.
"There was a time when the company wasn't doing so well. And there were those saying that the Sony Building had become a symbol of a company that had lost the capacity to change [with the times]."
In 2018, Sony decided to start afresh by creating a park in the building’s place, calling it Ginza Sony Park.
The park, a rare sight in the bustling shopping district, became a space for experimentation. Until its closure in 2021, the company analyzed the demographics of visitors and how people used the space.
From there, Sony learned some important lessons that it applied to its latest project, the revamped Ginza Sony Park. Rather than simply showcasing products, it could create a space where people experience things interactively — an environment with open spaces to spark creativity.
Creative Hub
A major feature of the building is the exhibition space.
Spread across three floors, this area highlights six core Sony ventures — games, movies, music, entertainment, finance, and semiconductors — through innovative and immersive experiences.
Using these ventures as loose inspiration, major Japanese musical artists help bring creative use of technology to visitors.
For example, one area is in collaboration with musical trio Hitsujibungaku (羊文学). It features a 15-minute animated rendition of two popular songs, including "more than words," made famous as the ending song of popular anime "Jujutsu Kaisen." Floor tiles with projections and vibrations recreate the feeling of walking over water puddles.
Another floor created with YOASOBI, inspired by semiconductor technology, presents an interactive version of the song "HEART BEAT". Visitors listen to the song in a unique environment, and design an avatar based on the speed of their pulse.
Music and Technology
Finally, an area created with Vaundy sees more than 200 songs selected by the artists. Visitors can simply plug in headphones and enjoy curated tracks while soaking in the environment.
Project mapping, haptics, speaker and headphone technology: By showcasing these different experiences, Sony is hoping to create new fans, especially among a younger audience.
"The point is not to overwhelm the audience with explanation. Just like with a modern art museum, we want visitors to enjoy the experience. Anyone interested in the devices can ask the staff for more information," said Nagano.
This area in collaboration with musical artists, called Sony Park Exhibition (Sony Park 展) is free but requires prior booking. The current installation runs from January 26 to March 20, with part two scheduled from April 20 to June 22. Other artists featured in 2025 include Creepy Nuts, BABYMONSTER, and Kensuke Ushio.
Many Aspects to Enjoy
Even for those not interested in music, the new Ginza Sony Park has intriguing aspects to offer.
The top floor showcases Sony's new car prototype. An installation uses real-time traffic footage to create a new immersive sound experience.
In the basement, there is a restaurant called "Nibun no Ichi," featuring the concept of casual dining. For those who just want a quick bite, or want to try different types of cuisine on one plate, this might be space for you.
What stands out most about the entire building is its commitment to innovation. One can imagine this becoming a new reference point in the trendy Ginza area.
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Author: Arielle Busetto
