The commercial and residential district of Funabori in the Edogawa ward of Tokyo is not a touristic area, but it has one main feature that quite literally prevents it from being overlooked: Tower Hall Funabori, officially known as the Edogawaku Sohgoh Kumin Hall, is an iconic Funabori landmark.
The 380-feet (115-meter) tall tower can be seen from all over Funabori. The multi-use building acts as the Edogawa City Community Center and contains huge events halls for conferences or major celebrations as well as a wide range of smaller wedding and exhibition halls for more intimate celebrations, seminars, fairs, performances and gatherings.
From afar, the tower of glass panels seems to precariously balance on top of a base building. However, as you approach you will see that three metal beams hold it firmly in place.
If you are not here for an event, pay a visit to the hall’s panoramic restaurant on the seventh level or zoom straight up to the observation deck to see Tokyo stretch out before you. On a clear day, you can see the snowcapped peak of Mount Fuji in the distance. There is a family restaurant at ground level and the tower also has a cinema.
Apart from this iconic events space, Funabori has a few shopping malls with gaming arcades, municipal buildings and schools for the students of Edogawa City.
For some pampering, visit the area’s large spa complex with manmade hot springs. Choose between a range of body care and wellness treatments for a few hours of relaxation while the kids visit the games arcade or indoor play area. The Kenko Land venue with 18 baths is open 23 hours a day and also has a banquet hall with a stage for live shows and karaoke.
Funabori may not be central, but it’s easy to get here on the subway from the city center of Tokyo. The Tower Hall is right next to Funabori Station, which sits on the Toei Shinjuku subway line and also has a taxi rank. The spa is just 5 minutes away on foot. The two subterranean levels of the Tower Hall have parking spaces.
