The rainy season will soon be upon us again this year. On a wet day in the rainy season, there are few places you can visit comfortably. Here we will feature some recommended sightseeing spots that you can reach from the nearest station without getting wet, even when it's raining. There are some spots perfect for family outings as well, so this reference will be convenient for planning outings with the kids, too! 

*The published information is current as of May 28, 2021 (when the information was gathered).
Depending on the facility, it is possible that opening hours may change or the facility may be closed.
For details, please check each facility's official website.
*Please refrain from making unnecessary outings while a state of emergency is in effect.

Honda Welcome Plaza Aoyama is a showroom located on the first floor of the automobile manufacturer Honda's headquarters building, just outside Exit 5 of Aoyama-itchome Station on the Tokyo Metro Line. While there is a space to learn about Honda's business approach and products, there is also a showroom wherein anyone can relax and enjoy the space based on the concept of "a place that makes you want to visit again."

The building has a natural atmosphere, with a wooden interior and green plants. You'll get the sense that you're at a camp ground even though you're in the middle of a prime location in Aoyama. A "Waigaya Tree" sits in the entrance, which is a collection of plants from the countries where Honda's offices are located, which expresses Honda's corporate culture of connecting with people regardless of their ranking, age, or gender.

In addition to the latest models of cars and motorcycles, the exhibition space also displays race cars, concept cars, and timelessly famous cars depending on the time of year. There are also various special exhibitions that will keep you coming back for more.

In addition to the exhibits, one of the highlights is the stage show that showcases ASIMO, Honda's humanoid robot, which is held twice a day at 12:30pm and 3:00pm. The show includes a program in which ASIMO itself introduces the evolutionary process that brought about its adorable astronaut-like form.

MILES Honda Cafe, located in the building, serves coffee brewed with "Soichiro's Water," named after Honda's founder, Soichiro Honda. You can enjoy the mellow water, which is stored in a large viva barrel in the basement of the building, with delicious coffee. Sweets named after Honda locations around the world are also popular.

You can charge your phone with Honda's E500 portable power storage unit and make use of the free Wi-Fi, making it the perfect spot to relax on a rainy day while browsing the exhibits that vehicle lovers will enjoy.

Honda Welcome Plaza Aoyama
Address: Honda Aoyama Building 1F, 2-1-1 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Phone number: 03-3423-4118
Opening hours: 10:00 - 18:00
Closed: Golden Week holidays, summer holidays, year-end and New Year holidays
Admission: Free
Official website: https://www.honda.co.jp/welcome-plaza/

The Toranomon Hills Business Tower is directly connected to the Toranomon Hills Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. SPBS Toranomon is located on the second floor of this new place, which opened just last summer.

This is a store owned by Shibuya Publishing & Booksellers (SPBS), a book and editing company that operates bookstores and general stores, and also publishes its own content. It's a select bookstore curated to fit the lifestyle of business people working in Toranomon, where many famous companies house their offices.

The attraction of this store, where each book is staff-selected, is that you can encounter a "chance book" that you wouldn't have found in an online bookstore. The stores' 10,000 bookshelves are filled with a lineup that will pique your curiosity, including books that delve into recent keywords like the Sustainable Development Goals, sustainability, and space exploration, novels and new books that will have you reading during your commute, and life-hack books on philosophy and investment. The arrangement of the shelves on the stairs, which is somewhat reminiscent of a maze, also creates an opportunity for chance encounters.

It's a great place for business people who work while raising children to check out the wide selection of picture books and books on raising children. Whether you come alone one your way to work on weekdays, or with your family on a weekend outing, you'll find your favorite books at this bookstore.

The store also carries a wide variety of items besides books, such as useful tools for working from home, and items to brighten up your mood while staying at home. In addition, the "Enjoy Rain Fair" will be held through Sunday, July 18th, so you can find items you'll need for this season.

SPBS Toranomon
Address: Toranomon Hills Business Tower 2F, 1-17-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Phone number: 03-6457-9778
Opening hours: 8:00 - 20:00 (Saturdays, Sundays, holidays: 11:00 - 19:00)
Closed: no closing days
Official website: https://www.shibuyabooks.co.jp/spbs_toranomon/

Caretta Shiodome is a one-minute walk on the underground walkway from the Shimbashi Station Exit of Shiodome Station on the Toei Subway and Oedo Lines. Located on the second basement floor of Caretta Shiodome, the Advertising Museum Tokyo is the only advertising museum in Japan and one of very few of its kind in the world. The museum displays a wide variety of advertisements that have been created throughout the history of commerce.

The museum has an astonishing collection of about 330,000 pieces. The museum is divided into a special exhibit room and a permanent exhibit room. The permanent exhibition room consists of three sections: "History of Advertising in Japan," "Collection Table," and the "'4 Feelings' viewing booth," wherein you can browse some of the materials in the collection.

"History of Advertising in Japan" showcases the history of advertising in Japan through a wealth of materials. It begins with the display of advertising media from the Edo period, such as nishiki-e that depict fashions admired by common people, and hiki-fuda, which served as advertising flyers. With the flowering of civilization in the Meiji period, printed advertisements became widespread. In the Taisho period, modernist designs were introduced into advertising, and the transition of the advertising industry in the Showa period can be seen in chronological order.

In addition to the permanent exhibition that showcases the museum's archives, the special exhibitions are designed to provide visitors with an understanding of the current trends in the advertising industry, including award-winning works from various advertising awards and outstanding advertising works from around the world. In addition, visitors can search and view approximately 250,000 materials, including 27,000 books in the library.

There's so many materials to see here, and yet admission is free, so why not spend a little bit on a souvenir? The museum shop sells a variety of affordable items, from tote bags to pins with retro advertising designs.

Currently, admission is by reservation only through the official website. Caretta Shiodome also hosts a number of gourmet restaurants. You don't have to move around much to enjoy yourself here, making it the perfect spot for a rainy day outing.

Advertising Museum Tokyo
Address: Caretta Shiodome, 1-8-2 Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Phone number: 03-6218-2500
Opening hours: 12:00 - 16:00
Closed: Sundays and Mondays
Admission: Free
Official website: https://www.admt.jp/guide/

Dex Tokyo Beach is a two-minute walk from Odaiba Kaihin Koen Station on the Yurikamome Line. Among the many indoor entertainment facilities such as Joypolis and Madame Tussauds Tokyo, the Tokyo Trick Art Labyrinth Museum is a place where people of all ages can enjoy themselves with a smile.

Trick art is a type of artwork that uses optical illusions to create different impressions depending on the angle from which it is viewed, or which allows the viewer to enter the artwork to experience the illusion. A total of 54 pieces of trick art can be enjoyed at this facility, which is directly managed by a company that is a pioneer in interactive art.

One of this location's features is its section wherein you can enjoy Edo-themed Japanese-style trick art. You can take pictures of scenes such as the procession of courtesans and festivals, which make you feel as though you've wandered into the world of period dramas. The trick is not to be shy when taking photos, but to enjoy yourself to the fullest.

The "Delightful Ninja and Ghost Area" is a maze-like ninja house recreated through trick art. While ninjas and ghosts appear, will you be able to pull off the trick and escape? There is also a piece that utilizes the popular picture scroll "Torijyu Giga."

The "Trick Art Masterpiece Gallery" is an area in which you can experience the true essence of trick art with a collection of popular works from the most famous to the very latest. There are also parodies of famous paintings that will surely leave you with memorable photos!

This is a place that's better to visit and experience yourself rather than just talking about it. You may want to spend the whole day at Dex Tokyo Beach while visiting the other entertainment facilities. Please enjoy getting lost in the strange world of trick art.

Trick Art Labyrinth Museum
Address: Seaside Mall 4F, Dex Tokyo Beach, 1-6-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Phone number: 03-3599-5191
Opening hours: 11:00 - 21:00
Closed: no fixed off days
Admission: Adults (high school students and older): 1,000 yen, Children (ages 4 to junior high school): 700 yen, Children under 3: Free
Official website: https://www.trickart.info/index.html