We’re still processing the news that Odaiba’s Palette Town complex is closing down for a major redevelopment. While VenusFort shopping centre, teamLab Borderless and the area’s iconic Ferris wheel will be around for another few months, Mega Web Toyota City Showcase was, unfortunately, the first venue to shut down, marking its last day on December 31 2021.
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The sprawling showcase of cars from around the world made its Tokyo debut when Palette Town first opened in 1999. Inside, you could take Toyota’s newest models for a test drive, check out its electric car prototypes, and browse through vintage cars from different brands inside the History Garage, a two-storey exhibition that was entirely free to visit.
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Toyota hasn’t announced what will become of all those beautiful automobiles, but the company has several other car museums around Japan and the company has confirmed the cars won’t be scrapped, so we’re betting they’ll pop up at another venue soon.
Mega Web Toyota City Showcase might not be around anymore, but don't worry, there are still plenty of other must-visit attractions around Odaiba.
Tokyo said goodbye to quite a few major landmarks in 2021 – here’s our full list.
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