Tokyo Architecture City Guide: 35 Iconic Buildings to Visit in Japan's Capital City

One of the world's leading metropolises, Tokyo is home to extraordinary architecture that fascinates through its blend of traditional values and high-tech expression. The 1923 earthquake and the bombardments of World War II dramatically influenced the image of the city and its architecture, giving rise to modern urban environments with complex infrastructure.

The Japanese capital constitutes the most populated metropolitan area in the world, housing 33 million inhabitants. Divided into 23 wards and numerous neighbourhoods, the city features a diverse blend of atmospheres and urban fabrics that support an amalgamation of architectural typologies.

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The following list showcases 30 iconic modern and contemporary buildings that will provide a good starting point for your first visit to Japan's largest city, including works from renowned architects such as Nikken Sekkei, Herzog & De Meuron, Toyo Ito, Kengo Kuma, Sou Fujimoto, Kenzo Tange, OMA, Jun Aoki and Kazuyo Sejima.

Ginza Neighborhood

Tokyu Plaza Ginza / Nikken Sekkei

Tokyo Architecture City Guide: 35 Iconic Buildings to Visit in Japan's Capital City - Image 33 of 40
© Nacasa & Partners

Maison Hermès Tokyo / Renzo Piano

Tokyo Architecture City Guide: 35 Iconic Buildings to Visit in Japan's Capital City - Image 5 of 40
Courtesy of By Wiiii - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4526777

Yamaha Ginza / Nikken Sekkei

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© Kenichi Suzuki Photography Studio

Louis Vuitton Matsuya Ginza Facade Renewal / Jun Aoki & Associates

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© Daici Ano

De Beers Ginza Building / Jun Mitsui & Associates Architects

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© Naoomi Kurozumi

Shizuoka Press and Broadcasting Center / Kenzo Tange

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Courtesy of Petr Šmídek

Tokyo International Forum / Rafael Viñoly Architects

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© Fernanda Castro

Louis Vuitton Ginza Flagship Store / Jun Aoki Architects + Peter Marino Architect

Tokyo Architecture City Guide: 35 Iconic Buildings to Visit in Japan's Capital City - Image 6 of 40
© Daici Ano

Omotesando Neighborhood

Miu Miu Aoyama Store / Herzog & de Meuron

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© Nacasa & Partners

Omotesando Keyaki Building / Norihiko Dan and Associates

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© Kozo Takayama

Coach Omotesando Flagship / OMA

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© Iwan Baan

Shibuya Neighborhood

Yoyogi National Gymnasium / Kenzo Tange

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Courtesy of Flickr CC License / Jamie Barras.

Sunwell Muse Kitasando / Takato Tamagami and Tsutomu Hase

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© Masaya Yoshimura

Miyashita Park / Nikken Sekkei

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© Shin Shasin Kobo. ImageMiyashita Park by Nikken Sekkei

TRUNK (HOTEL) YOYOGI PARK / Keiji Ashizawa Design

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© Tomooki Kengaku

UPI Shop in Omotesando / Happenstance Collective [HaCo]

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© KATSU TANAKA

Shinjuku Neighborhood

Japan National Stadium / Taisei Corporation + AZUSA SEKKEI + Kengo Kuma & Associates

Tokyo Architecture City Guide: 35 Iconic Buildings to Visit in Japan's Capital City - Image 24 of 40
© Taisei Corporation, Azusa Sekkei Co., Ltd. , Kengo Kuma and Associates Joint Venture. ImageJapan National Stadium by Taisei Corporation + AZUSA SEKKEI + Kengo Kuma & Associates

Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower / Kenzo Tange

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© Tange Associates © Koji Horiuchi

Aoyama

Spiral Building / Fumihiko Maki

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Wiiii [Wikipedia] licensed by CC BY-SA 3.0

Asakusa Neighborhood

Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center / Kengo Kuma & Associates

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© Takeshi Yamagishi

Koenji Neighborhood

House NA / Sou Fujimoto Architects

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© Iwan Baan

Setagaya Neighborhood

Breeze / ARTechnic Architects

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© Nacasa & Partners

Suginami Neighborhood

Za Koenji Public Theatre / Toyo Ito

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© Iwan Baan

Shibaura Neighborhood

Shibaura House by Kazuyo Sejima

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Shibaura House. Image vía Flickr User: Park Licensed Under CC BY 2.0

Sumida Neighborhood

Asahi Beer Hall / Philippe Starck

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Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Wiiii

Kōtō Ward

The Ariake Gymnastics Centre / Nikken Sekkei + Shimizu Corporation

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© Ken’ichi Suzuki. ImageThe Ariake Gymnastics Centre by Nikken Sekkei + Shimizu Corporation

Sekiguchi Neighborhood

St. Mary Cathedral / Kenzo Tange

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© Kenzo Tange © Scarletgreen

Oshiage Neighborhood

One @ Tokyo / Kengo Kuma & Associates

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© Keishin Horikoshi / SS Tokyo

Kodaira Neighborhood

Musashino Art University Museum & Library / Sou Fujimoto

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© Daici Ano

Hachioji Neighborhood

Tama Art University Library / Toyo Ito & Associates

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© Iwan Baan

Harumi Neighborhood

Harumi Residential Tower / Richard Meier & Partners Architects

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© Ishiguro Photographic Institute

Meguro City

Tokyo Institute of Technology Hisao & Hiroko Taki Plaza / Kengo Kuma & Associates

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© Kawasumi Kobayashi Kenji Photograph Office. ImageTokyo Institute of Technology Hisao & Hiroko Taki Plaza by Kengo Kuma & Associates

Minato District

Azabudai Hills / Heatherwick Studio

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© Raquel Diniz

Toranomon Hills Station Tower / OMA/Shohei Shigematsu

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© Tomoyuki Kusunose

Nihonbashi Neighbourhood

K5 Tokyo Hotel / Claesson Koivisto Rune

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© Yikin Hyo

We invite you to visit our list of Architecture City Guides.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on April 29, 2022.

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Cite: Andreea Cutieru. "Tokyo Architecture City Guide: 35 Iconic Buildings to Visit in Japan's Capital City" 29 Apr 2022. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/168654/tokyo-architecture-city-guide-30-iconic-buildings-to-visit-in-japans-capital-city> ISSN 0719-8884

© Nacása & Partners Inc.. ImageMiyashita Park by Nikken Sekkei

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