Immersive Fort Tokyo to Close in 2026: CEO Cites 'Overly Large Scale' for 'Difficult Decision'

Immersive Fort Tokyo, the new sensory theme park in Odaiba, has announced it will cease operations on February 28, 2026. Tsuyoshi Morioka, CEO of Katana Inc., the operating company, commented that the decision was a “difficult one” made due to the “overly large scale of the facility.”

Opened in 2025, the facility distinguished itself with its “immersive experience,” allowing guests to participate as characters in stories. Its highly immersive attractions garnered significant attention. Following the closure announcement, many fans expressed their regret on social media, with comments such as, “The experiences were truly amazing,” and “It completely changed my perception of entertainment.” Many also expressed a desire to visit before the closure, saying, “I haven’t been yet, so I want to go before it closes.”

Popular attractions like “Jack the Ripper” and “Midnight Banquet” particularly left a deep impression on visitors with their unique worldviews and the high acting skills of the cast. On the other hand, the challenges of immersive entertainment were also noted, with some analyses suggesting, “Many Japanese people are shy, and some may have felt resistant to suddenly acting as a character.”

The facility, which opened on the site of the former VenusFort in Odaiba, drew attention from its inception due to its location and vast premises. Some social media users had previously raised concerns about its operational status, stating, “I always felt there weren't many people around,” and “I saw videos showing it was empty.” Furthermore, this closure has led to speculation about its potential impact on the operations of other new theme parks, such as “Junglia” in Okinawa, once again highlighting the inherent difficulties in the theme park business as a whole.

As Immersive Fort Tokyo approaches its grand finale, many guests are expected to visit in the remaining period to create lasting memories. Officials are urging visitors, “We will deliver the best experience every day, so please enjoy it to the very last moment.”

The context

Odaiba is a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay, a popular shopping and entertainment district known for its futuristic architecture and attractions. VenusFort, which Immersive Fort Tokyo replaced, was a prominent shopping mall in Odaiba designed to resemble a 17th-18th century European town. The closure of a relatively new theme park like Immersive Fort Tokyo, despite its innovative

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