“ZERO-SITE Takanawa Gateway” is a limited-time venue that was directly connected to Takanawa Gateway Station in Tokyo. Although it has only been less than a month since its opening at the end of March this year, the venue has already attracted a lot of attention, and on Saturday, May 3rd (Holiday), a culture festival offering a new urban experience where urban sports and music intersect.“URBAN SPORTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL – USMF -“(hereinafter referred to as USMF) will be held.
This article will introduce the appeal of the “urban venue” that sets its stage, ZERO-SITE Takanawa Gateway, as well as the highlights of USMF.
Text by Jun Fukunaga
A new venue with cutting-edge facilities directly connected to the station
ZERO-SITE Takanawa Gateway, opened in conjunction with the town of TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY, the largest city in Japan, and is a new venue with the innovative concept of “night museum bar and club.” Its features are its overwhelming access, directly connected to Takanawa Gateway Station, and the “rare feeling” that it is operated for a limited period of only four months.
The venue, which has an event space that can accommodate 700 people, a lounge, and three bars, offers a program that intersects a wide range of cultures, including music events featuring top domestic and international DJs, as well as art, fashion, design, and sports. It shifts to night museum bars on weekday nights and music bars and clubs on weekends, and changes their appearance on weekdays and weekends. It also offers ethical menus such as upcycled beer and plant-based bar food.
Furthermore, taking advantage of its unique location, the EKINAKA FRIDAY is also being held on Friday nights in Japan’s first station DJ event, “EKINAKA FRIDAY,” at Takanawa Gateway Station. The event will be held in 10 irregular events, but most recently a free event was held by TREKKIE TRAX, a label that represents the Japanese dance music scene.
In terms of acoustics, the sound system of “Danley Sound Labs,” which is said to be the world’s highest-ranking sound quality in terms of accuracy, sound pressure and durability, has been introduced in Japan for the first time in the event space of the 3rd floor. This allows you to explore the deep sound world with its delicate and powerful sound. Meanwhile, the second floor lounge is also used by famous nightclubs, and the sound system is built using “VOID ACOUSTICS”, which has clear sound quality and is highly supported by top DJs. Additionally, speakers from the latest American brand “1 SOUND” will be provided, providing a special music experience that can only be enjoyed here.
The visual presentation is also a major selling point of this venue. The 3rd floor event space has a 27m LED panel covering the ceiling, allowing you to enjoy an immersive image projected on the top of the space, which is still rare on Japanese venues. Furthermore, the kinetic art installation, which is the first in Japan, is permanently set up, and it is also attractive that you can enjoy art of light along with music.
An opening event featuring gorgeous artists
As this location and specs attract attention among music lovers, the three-day opening event held at the end of March featured a variety of gorgeous acts including Tomoyuki Tanaka (FPM), MFS and nasthug, who lead the current club scene, as well as DJs, and Ken Ishii, nicknamed “Techno God,” appearing on a daily basis at the three-day opening event held at the end of March. It added some glamour to the memorable opening.
I also participated in this opening event, and the first thing that surprised me was how accessible it was. As mentioned above, ZERO-SITE Takanawa Gateway is located directly connected to Takanawa Gateway Station, but it is closer to the station ticket gate than you would expect. It’s a great feature that you can enter without getting lost. The next thing that impressed me was the stylish interior that sets it apart from traditional clubs. The minimalist and organic design is filled with a very arty and sophisticated atmosphere, and the finish is very exciting to the aesthetic sense of visitors.
The kinetic art installed on the 2nd and 3rd floors is also worth watching. In my case, I was tired of dancing with DJ music and then took a break to watch the show, but to be honest, I even thought it would be a waste.
And I was particularly impressed by the 3rd floor event space in terms of the essential acoustics and visual performance. The delicate and powerful sound that the venue advertises is, and when you actually experience it, you will be amazed at the high resolution of the sound. To enjoy listening to music in a relatively large space, a high-spec sound environment is still required. This sound system clearly conveys a deep understanding of this. On the other hand, it also has a moderate volume that allows you to enjoy conversations. The fact that it has an impactful sound and is also enjoyable conversation is a great help to people like me who make this space a place for interaction. Furthermore, when I actually experienced the visual production of the LED panel on the ceiling, I was able to immerse myself in the sound space created by the DJ more than I expected.
We were invited to Takanawa Gateway’s ZERO-SITE Takanawa Gateway 🙏 pic.twitter.com/AwJZa75knN
— Jun Fukunaga fka LC (@LadyCitizen69) March 29, 2025
A precious day where you can experience the fusion of urban sports and music
ZERO-SITE Takanawa Gateway captivates music lovers who are used to playing with the sound, stylish atmosphere and the art of displays, but USMF will be held in collaboration with JR East to enjoy an experience that makes full use of its specifications.
USMF, held under the concept of “an extraordinary day where you can experience the “now” of the streets,” brings together top domestic players and dancers from a variety of urban sports, including breaking, hip-hop, wakking, parkour, BMX, double dutch, freestyle basketball, and freestyle football. Create a new urban experience where movement and sound intersect.
The daytime session, which will be held free of charge on the day, will feature a program that can be enjoyed by everyone from children to adults. From workshops where you can move your body easily, to showcases that will make your heart flutter just by watching, exhibition cyphers where improvised battles are unfolding, and live painting that gives the atmosphere of art, the venue will transform into a “city playground” where parents and children can experience urban sports.
Additionally, with live performances from rapper vividboooy, beat live by veteran MPC player KO-ney, and performances from DJs who are active at the forefront of scenes such as DJs WATARAI, JOMMY, and Yabe Yuna, ZERO-SITE will be transformed into a one-day-only urban festival space.
Meanwhile, the evening session features Ishino Taku Tennis, SHINICHI OSAWA, ☆Taku Takahashi (m-flo, block.fm), Okamoto Rage (OKAMOTO’S), and DJ HOKUTO. Here, a fusion of music selections by top Japanese artists with cutting-edge acoustic and visual equipment will likely create an enthusiastic club experience that you can’t find anywhere else.
ZERO-SITE Takanawa Gateway is scheduled to close at the end of July. It will be a unique opportunity to experience the fusion of urban sports and music in this special space that will later be described as a “legendary venue.” Why not try and experience this day-only festival space where music, dance and sports are integrated into one place?
[Event Information]
“ZERO-SITE Takanawa Gateway
URBAN SPORTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL – USMF –
Date and Time: May 3, 2025 (Saturday, public holidays) 12:00-23:00
Venue: ZERO-SITE Takanawa Gateway & Special Stage in front of the store
Fee:
Admission free for the daytime session (12:00-17:30)
Night session (17:30-23:00) ¥2,000 (2D included)
Cast:
(DJ)
Ishino Takujutsu
SHINICHI OSAWA
☆Taku Takahashi (m-flo, block.fm)
Okamoto Rage (OKAMOTO’S)
MAR SKI (MIGHTY ZULU KINGZ)
DJ WATARAI
DJ HOKUTO
JOMMY
Yabe Yuna
kaikan boy
RILL
(LIVE)
vividboooy
UK
(MPC PLAYER)
KO-ney
(PARKOUR)
ZEN
(SHOWCASE)
Valuence INFINITIES
INFINITY TWIGGZ + ARMY (FULLCAST RAISERZ)
List::X
(DOUBLE DUTCH)
REG☆STYLE
TATSUYA
(BREAKIN)
TSUKKI
AYANE
Lón
Nanoha
(HIPHOP)
SEIYA
RINKAAA
karim
(FREESTYLE BASKETBALL)
Zinez
Lee
RIKU
KENGO
(FREESTYLE FOOTBALL)
Yu-ri
Kazane
Ibuki
(BMX)
430
(WAACKING)
Mizuki Flamingo
JUNKOO
Koyuki
CHIHIRO
(TRICKING)
Tok\o Tricking Mob
(LIVE PAINT)
Gospel
KB
(FOOD)
Sunday Food Service
Aiko sandwich
(SHOP)
Pake®
(VJ)
JACKSON kaki
