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Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Love Cars And Coffee? The Honda Welcome Aoyama Might Be Worth The Visit


Honda fans’ main attraction will always be the Collection Hall in Twin Ring Motegi. However, because getting to Tochigi requires real planning, the Honda Welcome Plaza Aoyama is a great alternative, especially if you find yourself with a couple of hours to spare around Tokyo.

Located near the Aoyama-itchome Station (see complete address below), it’s a showcase of Honda’s products and corporate values. Visitors are greeted by the Waigaya Tree. Waigaya is a tradition of communication unique to Honda, where free flow of opinions between associates regardless of position, age or gender is encouraged. The tree itself is made of a collection of plants that also happens to represent Honda’s global presence.



From there, there’s the Honda Digital Wall to one side. Operatable by touch, it shares how Honda’s vehicles fit into peoples’ lifestyle both in Japan and overseas. If you happen to share something on Honda Cars Philippines’ Instagram account, who knows, your photo may be part of the rotation over there.

Every table is also outfitted with charging spots, all powered by Honda’s LiB-AID E500 system. If you need to brush up on your emails, there’s also free Wi-Fi as well.

Since the Honda Welcome Aoyama is located at the lobby of Honda’s global headquarters, it’s only natural to have a rotating display of cars, motorcycles, and power products. Marking the Japanese market launch of Honda Sound Sitter, there was a Honda NSX on display both inside and outside the venue when we were there. It was joined by the likes of the Honda N-Box and Step Wgn in the four-wheeled, and the EZ-9, CBR650R, and CB1300 Super Bol D’Or SP 30th Anniversary in the two-wheeled category. If you happen to find it, Asimo, Honda’s humanoid walking robot is also quietly tucked away towards the far end.



Need a caffeine fix? There’s the Miles Honda Café. The coffee here is as “third wave” as they come as the coffee beans used are grown and harvested by small producers in Huilia, Columbia. The beans themselves have a nutty, brown sugar flavor with a mild, orangey acidity, and are roasted for enjoyment in both espresso and drip forms. Interestingly, the water itself is different: it’s Soichiro’s Water. Before you get any funny ideas, it’s actually water stored in large barrels made from Canadian cypress wood in the basement of Honda’s Aoyama building. This add smoothness while bringing out the best of the coffee beans’ flavor. There are also pastries, additive-free soft-serve ice cream, organic fruit juices for children and non-caffeine drinkers.

Finally, no brand space is complete without a gift shop. The Welcome Plaza Shop has a uniquely wide array of Honda merchandise, aiming to meet the needs of all customers. These include Formula One merchandise, scale models (including Tomica), mugs, caps, and even a gatchapon machine.



With Honda announcing that its Aoyama Building will be redeveloped to a 20-storey building (the current one has 17 storeys), the Honda Welcome Aoyama will temporarily close its doors soon. So, Honda fans and those who love cars and coffee should make the visit before that happens.

Honda Welcome Aoyama: What You Need To Know
  • Address: Honda Aoyama Bldg. 1F, 2-1-1 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8556
  • Business hours: 10 AM to 6 PM
    (10 AM to 5 PM for Outdoor Exhibition).
    Entry may be limited to avoid congestion.
  • How To Get There: Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Toei Oedo Line → Aoyama-itchome" station, exit No. 5

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