Nine days of tennis on the bay
The 2026 edition runs from October 24 to November 1. That is nine days, Saturday to Sunday, and the final is on the closing Sunday. At events of this size, the first weekend usually carries qualifying matches and the main draw follows in the week.
It is a WTA 500 event, one level below the biggest tournaments on the women’s tour. Fields at this level regularly include top-ranked players. Because the draw is smaller, the stars often appear on court quite early. The organiser publishes the dates, the order of play and its ticket links on its official site. In Japanese the event is 東レ パン・パシフィック・オープン, which is worth knowing when you search local listings.
Ariake Tennis Park and its covered centre court
Ariake Tennis Park lies on reclaimed land in Koto ward, on the Tokyo Bay side of the city. The main stadium is Ariake Coliseum, a bowl with a retractable roof. It was renovated as the tennis venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, so sightlines and seating are modern.
Around the Coliseum are rows of outdoor hard courts. Early-round and qualifying matches spread across them. With a grounds-style pass you can usually stand a few metres from a player warming up, something the arena seats never give you.
Late October in Tokyo tends to be mild and dry. The bay air off the open courts can feel cool once the sun drops, so a light layer is useful for night sessions.
Getting to Ariake
Two rail lines serve the area.
- Yurikamome line: Ariake-Tennis-no-mori Station sits right beside the park. The driverless train starts at Shimbashi and runs over Rainbow Bridge past Odaiba.
- Rinkai line: Kokusai-tenjijo Station is about a 10-minute walk away. Rinkai trains link up with the JR Saikyo line, which helps from Shinjuku or Shibuya.
- Tokyo Metro Yurakucho line: Toyosu Station connects with the Yurikamome. Change there to approach from the Toyosu end.
Suica and Pasmo IC cards work on all of these. The Yurikamome cars fill fast once a session ends, and many fans walk to Kokusai-tenjijo to get a less crowded train.
Courtside manners in Tokyo
Japanese tennis crowds are among the quietest on tour. Knowing the routine makes the day easier.
- Stay seated during points. Ushers hold people at the aisle entrances until a changeover. Spectators move only at the end of odd-numbered games or between sets.
- Applause, not commentary. Clapping after a good rally is normal. Shouting during play, even in support, gets looks from the people around you.
- Phones on silent. No flash photography while the ball is in play.
- Rubbish goes home with you. Public bins are rare in Tokyo. Most attendees carry a small bag for wrappers and bottles.
- Snacks from the konbini. There are convenience stores near the stations, and many fans pick up onigiri and drinks on the way in rather than queue at the food stalls.
Tickets carry session and seating details. Day sessions and night sessions are often sold separately, so one ticket does not always cover the whole day.
A tournament with a long Tokyo story
The Pan Pacific Open goes back to the mid-1980s. For years it was played indoors at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Sendagaya, then it moved to Ariake. During the Olympic renovation it was held away from Ariake for a while. Naomi Osaka won in 2019, when the event was staged in her birthplace, Osaka.
Toray, the Japanese materials company, has been the title sponsor for decades. Its name is part of how locals refer to the event.
Making a day of the waterfront
Ariake is close to plenty of other things, so a short session fits easily into a longer day.
- Ariake Garden: a large mall and food court a short walk from the courts, good for a meal between sessions.
- Tokyo Big Sight: the convention centre with the upside-down pyramids, near Kokusai-tenjijo Station.
- Toyosu Market: Tokyo’s wholesale fish market, a few Yurikamome stops north, with its sushi counters and viewing galleries.
- teamLab Planets: the immersive digital art space beside Shin-Toyosu Station.
- Odaiba: the seaside promenade and the Rainbow Bridge views, a few stops south.
Most visitors stay near Shimbashi, Ginza or Toyosu. From there the Yurikamome or the Yurakucho line brings them to the courts quickly without a car.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Toray Pan Pacific Open 2026?
It runs from Saturday October 24 to Sunday November 1, 2026, and the final is on the closing Sunday. The organiser publishes the daily order of play on its official site.
Where is the tournament held and what is the nearest station?
It is held at Ariake Tennis Park in Koto ward, Tokyo. Ariake-Tennis-no-mori Station on the Yurikamome line is right next to the grounds. Kokusai-tenjijo Station on the Rinkai line is about a 10-minute walk away.
What level of tournament is it?
It is a WTA 500 women's event, one level below the tour's biggest tournaments. Fields at this level regularly include top international players.
Is the main court covered if it rains?
Yes. The centre court is Ariake Coliseum, which has a retractable roof, so matches there can carry on in bad weather. The outdoor courts around it are open to the sky.
What else is near Ariake Tennis Park?
Ariake Garden mall, Tokyo Big Sight, Toyosu Market, teamLab Planets and the Odaiba waterfront are all a short walk or a few Yurikamome stops away.
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