Arts & Design
Arts & Design

8 architectural marvels to awe Tokyo’s walking tourists

The ultra-modern and ultra-futuristic metropolis of Tokyo is home to some of the world’s most impressive architectural masterpieces. From stellar adaptations of traditional architecture to modern works of art, here are the best buildings to check out on a walking tour of the city.
See / Do

Prada Aoyama (プラダ青山店)

Designed by Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron, this eye-catching…

5-2-6 Minamiaoyama, Minato, Tokyo 107-0062
See / Do

Tokyo Tower

Gazing at the peak of the Tokyo Tower

4-2-8 Shiba-Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo105-0011 ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬
See / Do

Omotesando Hills (表参道ヒルズ)

Famed Japanese architect Tadao Ando designed this popular landmark in…

4-12-10 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001
See / Do

Nakagin Capsule Tower (中銀カプセルタワービル)

The glamorous Ginza district is most famous for its towering…

8-16-10 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
See / Do

Tokyo Station (東京駅)

Built in 1914, the historic Tokyo Station is one of…

1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005
See / Do

21_21 Design Sight (21_21デザインサイト)

The brainchild of three of Japan’s most respected designers –Issey…

Tokyo Midtown, 9-7-6 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6290
See / Do

Reiyukai Shakaden Temple (霊友会釈迦殿)

This giant complex with a pyramid-shaped roof in the heart…

1-7-8 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8644
See / Do

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (東京都庁舎)

Designed by master architect Kenzo Tange, this impressive complex is…

2-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 163-8001
The ultra-modern and ultra-futuristic metropolis of Tokyo is home to some of the world’s most impressive architectural masterpieces. From stellar adaptations of traditional architecture to modern works of art, here are the best buildings to check out on a walking tour of the city.

Prada Aoyama (プラダ青山店)

Designed by Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron, this eye-catching glass building has become an iconic landmark in the swanky Aoyama district since its launch in 2003. This asymmetrical building created out of diamond-shaped glass panels is especially beautiful after dark, when the luxe interior (and designer goods) can be seen from the outside through the green glass. It certainly gives new meaning to the term window shopping.
Address: 5-2-6 Minamiaoyama, Minato, Tokyo 107-0062
Tel: +81 03 6418 0400
Website
Opening hours: 11am – 8pm, Monday to Thursday; 11am – 9pm, Friday to Sunday and public holidays

Tokyo Tower (東京タワー)

Built in 1958 by architect Tachu Naito, the Tokyo Tower is a popular site for visitors hoping to get a 360-degree view of the city’s skyline. It also functions as a telecommunications tower. This unmistakable landmark in Tokyo has made appearances in countless Japanese anime and manga too. On a clear day, visitors to the observatory may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji.
Address: 4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato, Tokyo 105-0011
Tel: +81 03 3433 5111
Website
Opening hours: 9am – 11pm, daily (No entry allowed after 10.30pm)

Omotesando Hills (表参道ヒルズ)

Famed Japanese architect Tadao Ando designed this popular landmark in the glitzy Omotesando shopping district. Built on a wedge-shaped strip of land, this uniquely designed shopping mall features a 250m-long LED wall that lights up its facade. But what’s even more impressive is its interior, which features a 700m-long spiral ramp spanning six levels of the mall for an uninterrupted shopping experience.
Address: 4-12-10 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001
Tel: +81 03 3497 0310
Website
Opening hours: 11am – 9pm, Monday to Saturday; 11am – 8pm, Sunday

Nakagin Capsule Tower (中銀カプセルタワービル)

The glamorous Ginza district is most famous for its towering skyscrapers and designer stores, but in its heart stands this quirky building, a rare example of post-war Japanese Metabolism. Designed by Kisho Kurokawa, this mixed-used office and residential tower opened in 1972 and looks like a heap of washing machines stacked on top of each other. Each capsule unit was designed to be removed and replaced once worn out, but this proved too costly to be done so the tower has been left to slowly deteriorate. Today, only a small fraction of the units are occupied.
Address: 8-16-10 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
Website

Tokyo Station (東京駅)

Built in 1914, the historic Tokyo Station is one of the few significant representations of early 20th century architecture in Japan. Designed by architect Kingo Tatsuno, this landmark combines Western elements with Japanese aesthetics. The complex was restored in 2012, and now houses a luxury hotel as well as multiple shopping and food outlets, on top of serving approximately 415,000 passengers daily.
Address: 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005
Website

21_21 Design Sight (21_21デザインサイト)

The brainchild of three of Japan’s most respected designers –Issey Miyake, Taku Satoh and Naoto Fukasawa– this masterpiece is built by renowned architect Tadao Ando. Ando’s brief was to design a structure that would represent Japan, and he came up with this low-rise, angular building featuring a cavernous underground space. Despite having 70 per cent of the space underground, the galleries are brightly lit and have been venues for art and design exhibitions hosted by some of the world’s most creative minds.
Address: Tokyo Midtown, 9-7-6 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6290
Tel: +81 03 3475 2121
Website
Opening hours: 10am – 7pm (Entrance until 6.30pm)

Reiyukai Shakaden Temple (霊友会釈迦殿)

This giant complex with a pyramid-shaped roof in the heart of Tokyo may look like it’s straight out of a sci-fi movie, but it is actually the headquarters of a Buddhist sect that aims to promote world peace. Despite its forbidding exterior, the temple welcomes visitors warmly and even offers free Japanese lessons. It houses a giant Buddha carved from ancient camphor wood, as well as a reservoir that can be used by the city in case of emergencies.
Address: 1-7-8 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8644
Website

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (東京都庁舎)

Designed by master architect Kenzo Tange, this impressive complex is the headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Tange was inspired to make the building look like a computer microchip, while gothic cathedral elements of the towers add to its grandeur. There are two observatories within that offer panoramic views of the futuristic Shinjuku neighbourhood and beyond.
Address: 2-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 163-8001
Tel: +81 03 5321 1111
Website
Opening hours: 8am – 6.45pm, Monday to Friday