Immersive Fort Tokyo is a huge, indoor theme park that opened in March in a 323,000-square-foot shopping mall previously known as Venus Fort. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)
Thirteen separate theatrical experiences await visitors to Odaiba, a high-tech entertainment hub on an artificial island in Tokyo Bay.
Immersive Fort Tokyo is a huge, indoor theme park that opened in March in a 323,000-square-foot shopping mall previously known as Venus Fort. Inside, visitors may lose themselves in a world of stories created by actors.
Attractions and theme park maps are available in English. Tickets are available at the venue, but it’s better to purchase them in advance online and secure a spot at a particular showtime. Some attractions have an added fee.
The building interior is designed like a European street lined with old buildings, and every attraction has Hollywood-tier acting, sets and costumes.
Immersive Fort Tokyo is a huge, indoor theme park that opened in March in a 323,000-square-foot shopping mall previously known as Venus Fort. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)
I opted for “The Sherlock Holmes: Baker Street Murder Case,” “Jack the Ripper: Immersive Horror Maze,” “Immersive Stories: Hansel and Gretel” and “The Cabaret: Immersive Show and Restaurant.”
The 1½-hour-long “Sherlock Holmes” experience is an impressive attraction with high production values. It features a live performance in a 33,000-square-foot theater that re-creates 19th-century London.
English speakers may request for a translation device, an iPhone with headphones that syncs up to the scenes as the guests follow characters throughout the performance. As visitors walk around the set, they are drawn into several simultaneous experiences while Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson solve a murder case.
For guests who enjoy haunted houses, the “Jack the Ripper: Immersive Horror Maze” is a perfect fit. The 10-minute experience takes them into the dark back alleys of Victorian London where they are stalked and chased by knife-wielding serial killer Jack the Ripper. It’s full of spooky scenes and plenty of jump scares.
The "Cabaret: Immersive Show and Restaurant" at Immersive Fort Tokyo in the city's Odaiba district. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)
The trip highlight was “The Cabaret: Immersive Show and Restaurant.” It’s a dinner and theater experience with a child-friendly cabaret show with songs from “Cabaret,” from the musical of the same name; “All That Jazz,” from the musical “Chicago;” and pop hits like “Vogue” by Madonna.
My only complaint was the lack of vegetarian options on the café menu, but there are several restaurants in the theme park, including Casa di Peroni, an Italian restaurant; Dolce Vita, a dessert boutique; and Tokyo Revengers Café Flower, a sit-down café based on the manga and anime.
I was too squeamish to try the “Alice in Borderland: Immersive Death Game,” based on the Japanese Netflix series of the same name. Participants wear a “collar bomb,” as in the series, and the set is produced by the original team from the show.
Participants must sign a consent form because if they don’t complete tasks in a certain amount of time, the collar bomb emits an electric shock.
Throughout the day there are free street performances in the park, including “Party Fiesta.” A singer, saxophone player and violinist performed “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls; an upbeat version of “I Dreamed,” from the musical “Les Misérables”; and “Let’s Get Loud” by Jennifer Lopez.
The audience danced and sang along, and during the finale, confetti was shot from a cannon. It was a real party.
The "Spy Action Street Show" at Immersive Fort Tokyo in the city's Odaiba district. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)
On the QT
Directions: A 10-minute walk from Tokyo Teleport Station, at 1-3-15 Aomi, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0064.
Times: Open daily, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Costs: Adult admission, 6,800 yen, or $43.96, and children aged 4 to 11, 3,000 yen
Costs: Admission is 6,800 yen for 12 and older; 3,000 yen for ages 4 to 11.
Food: There are several restaurants and a cafe on site.
Information: Online: immersivefort.com
