銀座ソニーパーク ・ Ginza Sony Park

Today I visited the new Ginza Sony Park, a project for the renovation of the Sony Building in Ginza.

The park has three stated aims: to create a new hub for Sony brand promotion, to offer people interactive new experiences, and to make Ginza "more comfortable". 

A brand park!

Currently the first phase is completed, which includes a green park on the street level and number of experiences both in the park and on several levels that extend below ground.

Most of the experiences involve shopping and eating, but some are educational or themed to be relevant to the Sony brand. (Playful.)

A few favorites:

TokyoFM created a hyperlocal broadcast booth in an old-school aluminum trailer, and are producing original audio content available on Spotify. 

Spring Valley Brewery put-up a "Beer To Go" stand where you can get good beer in a takeaway cup, and brew snacks like onion rings and brisket.

A local arts group called Artscape Ginza installed a virtual museum, in which masterpieces from around the world, along with takeaway explainer pamphlets, are tucked into the in-between spaces in the park. 

There are others including a rollerskating rink, a video game space with new-school screenless tabletop projected games, an An (あん ペースト) stand, and even an aquarium. 

The second (final) phase of the project will be completed in 2022, which includes a full replacement of the Sony Building. The architectural concept for the new building is based on providing quality public park-like space that allows visitors to take "a vertical stroll in Ginza". 

https://www.ginzasonypark.jp/e/