Getting around town
Located in the Tokyo Bay entertainment district of Odaiba, Mega Web is a massive complex that sits below one of the largest Ferris wheels in the world. Mega Web is divided into three main sections, each one based on a different aspect of the Toyota experience. In this article, I’ll focus on the sections that will be of most interest to visiting car enthusiasts: the Toyota City Showcase and the History Garage.
Toyota City Showcase
The Toyota City Showcase is the largest section of Mega Web. This is a giant showroom where you can experience over 60 different Toyota models first hand. Much of this area is designed for locals who are in the market for a new vehicle, so if you are just visiting Tokyo, focus on the following:
- Mega Theater: Located on the first floor, the Mega Theater showcases Toyota’s racing efforts via a large screen and motion seats, working together to simulate the experience of thundering through the desert in a rally car or careening around corners in an endurance race.
- GR Zone: If you love racing and sports cars, set aside plenty of time for the GR (Gazoo Racing) Zone. Dedicated to Toyota’s motorsport division, the GR Zone proudly displays Toyota’s fastest and most striking vehicles, including the headline-making GR Supra Super GT Concept. This is also where you can show off your virtual racing skills via the premium Gran Turismo racing cabinets: a simulation setup that includes gas pedals and steering wheels.
- Ride One: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to drive a Vitz GR SPORT? Well, the Ride One experience is your chance to make that dream come true. Just make a reservation online and keep your Japanese or international driver’s license handy, and for a mere 300 yen, you can test drive the Toyota of your dreams. Learn more from the official reservation page. (Good luck getting a hold of that elusive stick shift Toyota 86!)
- Technology Zone: Located on the second floor, the Technology Zone showcases Toyota’s future, with an emphasis on hydrogen powered cars. Here you can see futuristic vehicles that look like they are fresh off the set of a science fiction film. There are also more interactive attractions including full-motion simulators and a VR experience.
The History Garage
A love letter to car culture through the ages, the History Garage alone is worth a visit to Mega Web. This wonderfully curated, two-story museum goes above and beyond expectations by including iconic vehicles from all over the world. This includes history-making vehicles from other manufacturers as well: Nissan, Fiat, Chevy, and Honda, just to name a few. Toyota seems to be leveraging the expansive collection housed in its amazing automobile museum in Nagoya to create a similar experience in Tokyo. With a detailed theme that recreates 1960s Tokyo, the History Garage is what truly earns Mega Web the right to be called a “theme park.”
Go for a spin
Whether you are a local in the market for a new car, or an automotive enthusiast from abroad, Toyota Mega Web is well worth your time, especially considering that the experience is free. Mega Web has been celebrating all things automotive for over 20 years. Don’t you think it’s about time to get in on the fun?
