Eastern Capital

Tokyo architecture

Tokyo is a culinary titan, holding more Michelin stars than any other city on the planet for its incredible range of high-end and street-level dining. It is a city of distinct neighborhoods, from the neon-lit electronics district of Akihabara to the serene forested grounds of the Meiji Jingu Shrine.

16Landmarks
645Oldest · Sensō-ji Temple (Main Hall)
634 mTallest · Tokyo Skytree
13Architects

Tokyo Skytree
Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower
Tokyo Station (Marunouchi)

Before you go

Fly intoNarita (NRT)
Narita is a world leader in airport robotics, utilizing automated baggage systems and AI-powered service robots to assist travelers throughout the terminal. It recently added a specialized terminal for low-cost carriers that features indoor running tracks to guide passengers through the gates.
CurrencyJapanese Yen (¥)
LanguageJapanese
Japanese is the primary language, and travelers will find that public silence is deeply valued on transit. While English is common in tourist districts, learning basic polite phrases is highly respected by locals.
Getting aroundYamanote Line
The Yamanote Line is a green-colored loop that serves as the world's most efficient urban railway. Tokyo's subway is divided between two major operators, Tokyo Metro and Toei, which perfectly cover the 23 wards. High-speed Shinkansen bullet trains depart from Tokyo Station to connect the city to the rest of Japan.

16 landmarks in Tokyo

Photo: Kakidai, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tokyo Skytree

1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045, Japan

The tallest structure in Japan blends ultra-modern design with traditional Japanese aesthetics. Its silhouette transitions from a triangular base representing a tripod to a circular top. The lattice structure is painted in 'Skytree White,' a color based on the lightest shade of traditional Japanese indigo. To resist earthquakes, the core column is structurally detached from the exterior frame to act as a seismic damper. This innovative engineering technique was directly inspired by the center pillars of ancient five-story pagodas.

Built
2012
Architect
Nikken Sekkei
Style
Neo-Futurism
Height
634 m (2,080 ft)
Stories
29
Today
Broadcasting / Observation
Photo: Kakidai, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower

1 Chome-7-3 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan

This striking giant in the Shinjuku skyline is the second-tallest educational building in the world. Its distinctive elliptical shape and white-and-blue glass diagonal lattice represent a 'cocoon' to symbolize the nurturing of students. The design was selected from over 100 entries to provide a vertical alternative to traditional sprawling campuses. Inside, the tower houses three separate vocational colleges specialized in fashion, technology, and medical care. It remains a definitive icon of Shinjuku's high-density urban planning and futuristic vision.

Built
2008
Architect
Tange Associates
Style
Modernist / High-Tech
Height
204 m (669 ft)
Stories
50
Today
Vocational University
Apple Marunouchi

2-chōme-5-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan

Located directly across from the historic Tokyo Station, this store features unique two-story 'Vitrine' windows with curved glass. These massive windows are framed by cast aluminum with rounded corners to resemble the aesthetic of an iPhone. The interior uses bamboo to bring a touch of Japanese nature into the high-tech retail space. The store serves as a transparent window onto the bustling Marunouchi business district. It is currently Apple’s largest retail location in Japan, blending minimalist tech with urban sophistication.

Built
2019
Architect
Foster + Partners
Style
High-Tech / Product-Inspired
Height
12 m (39 ft)
Stories
2
Today
Retail Flagship
Photo: MaedaAkihiko, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tokyo Station (Marunouchi)

1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan

This grand red-brick landmark survived the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake and WWII bombings. Its European-style facade features two distinctive octagonal domes with interior ceilings decorated in relief carvings. Following a massive 2012 restoration, the station was returned to its original 1914 splendor. It serves as the primary gateway to the city and a symbol of Tokyo’s early 20th-century modernization. The building also houses the ultra-exclusive Tokyo Station Hotel, allowing guests to stay within the monument itself.

Built
1914
Architect
Tatsuno Kingo
Style
Western-Style / Queen Anne Revival
Height
35 m (115 ft)
Stories
3
Today
Railway Hub / Luxury Hotel
Photo: Akonnchiroll, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sensō-ji Temple (Main Hall)

2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan

As Tokyo's oldest temple, this site is dedicated to Kannon Bosatsu, the Goddess of Mercy. While the original structures were destroyed in 1945, the faithful reconstruction maintains the grand scale of the Edo period. The Kaminarimon entrance features a massive 700kg red lantern that has become a symbol of the district. The complex layout focuses on a central axis that guides visitors through the bustling Nakamise shopping street. It remains the spiritual heart of Asakusa, drawing millions of pilgrims and tourists every year.

Built
645
Architect
Traditional / Reconstruction
Style
Traditional Japanese (Buddhist)
Height
30 m (98 ft)
Stories
1
Today
Buddhist Temple / Landmark
Photo: Akonnchiroll, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tokyo Tower

4 Chome-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo 105-0011, Japan

Inspired by the Eiffel Tower, this communications tower is painted white and international orange for aviation safety. It was once the tallest structure in Japan and now serves as a nostalgic symbol of post-war rebirth. At night, it glows with a 'Landmark Light' that changes color based on the season to provide warmth or cooling. The structure remains a functional broadcasting hub for television and radio signals across the Kanto region. Its foot-town area houses various museums and shops, maintaining its status as a top tourist destination.

Built
1958
Architect
Tachu Naito
Style
Modernist / Lattice
Height
333 m (1,093 ft)
Stories
15
Today
Observation / Tourist Landmark
Photo: Jordy Meow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nakagin Capsule Tower (Legacy)

8 Chome-16-10 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan

This world-famous example of Japanese Metabolism consisted of 140 self-contained, prefabricated capsules bolted onto concrete cores. Each capsule was designed as a tiny modular studio featuring a circular porthole window and built-in electronics. Though the building was dismantled in 2022, several capsules were preserved for display in international museums. The design symbolized a futuristic vision where architecture could grow and replace parts like a biological organism. It remains one of the most significant architectural experiments of the 20th century.

Built
1972
Architect
Kisho Kurokawa
Style
Metabolism
Height
54 m (177 ft)
Stories
13
Today
Dismantled (Museum Pieces)
Photo: Kakidai, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

2 Chome-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 163-8001, Japan

Often called 'Tokyo City Hall,' this massive complex features twin towers that resemble a split Gothic cathedral. The facade was designed to look like a computer chip while maintaining a grand, civic presence. It houses the city's administration and offers free observation decks with stunning views of the metropolis. On exceptionally clear days, visitors can see the silhouette of Mount Fuji on the western horizon. The building stands as a centerpiece of Shinjuku's Skyscraper District and a triumph of postmodern architecture.

Built
1991
Architect
Kenzo Tange
Style
Postmodern / High-Tech
Height
243 m (797 ft)
Stories
48
Today
Government Office / Observation
Prada Aoyama

5 Chome-2-6 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062, Japan

This retail landmark features a skin made of diamond-shaped glass panes that vary between flat and curved surfaces. This unique glazing creates a constantly shifting perspective for both those inside and those watching from the street. The glass acts as a structural shell, allowing the interior to remain open without traditional supporting walls. At night, the entire building glows like a green crystal, illuminating the upscale Aoyama neighborhood. It is widely considered one of the most visually stunning examples of 21st-century retail architecture.

Built
2003
Architect
Herzog & de Meuron
Style
Contemporary / Glass Lattice
Height
32 m (105 ft)
Stories
6
Today
Retail / Fashion Hub
Photo: Sakura Torch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Shibuya Scramble Square

2 Chome-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0002, Japan

The tallest building in Shibuya is famous for 'Shibuya Sky,' an open-air deck hanging over the famous crossing. The building features a 'shifting' glass facade that reflects the chaotic energy of the district below. It is a major multi-use hub that integrates rail transit, luxury retail, and tech offices. The observation area offers a 360-degree view that includes the Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower simultaneously. It has quickly become the defining landmark of Shibuya's massive redevelopment project.

Built
2019
Architect
Nikken Sekkei
Style
Contemporary / Neo-Futurism
Height
230 m (755 ft)
Stories
47
Today
Mixed-use / Observation
Fuji TV Building

2 Chome-4-8 Daiba, Minato City, Tokyo 135-0091, Japan

This futuristic landmark on Odaiba island is known for a massive silver titanium sphere suspended between two towers. The sphere weighs 1,200 tons and serves as a public observation deck for views of Tokyo Bay. Its lattice-grid structure is designed to be earthquake-resistant while maintaining a science-fiction appearance. The building's design was a pioneer in the development of the Odaiba waterfront area. It remains one of the most recognizable silhouettes in the city's modern architectural landscape.

Built
1996
Architect
Kenzo Tange
Style
Postmodern / Structuralism
Height
125 m (410 ft)
Stories
25
Today
Television Studio / Observation
Apple Japan Headquarters (Roppongi Hills Mori Tower)

6 Chome-10-1 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-6140, Japan

Located within the Mori Tower, Apple's Japan headquarters sits in the heart of the 'city within a city' of Roppongi Hills. The office moved here in 2013 to centralize its operations within Tokyo's primary tech and art hub. The tower itself features a circular design and cutting-edge seismic engineering to protect its occupants. While the office floors are private, the tower is famous for the Mori Art Museum on the 53rd floor. It serves as a symbol of corporate prestige and modern high-tech office design in Japan.

Built
2003
Architect
Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF)
Style
Modernist / High-Tech
Height
238 m (781 ft)
Stories
54
Today
Corporate Headquarters / Mixed-use
Photo: Arne Müseler, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

Yoyogi National Gymnasium

2-1-1 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0041, Japan

Designed for the 1964 Olympics, this masterpiece features a revolutionary suspended roof structure held by steel cables. The flowing curves blend traditional Japanese temple aesthetics with bold, modern Brutalist architecture. It became a global icon of the Modernist movement and influenced stadium design for decades. The interior space remains versatile, hosting everything from swimming competitions to international pop concerts. Its distinctive silhouette remains a focal point of the Harajuku and Yoyogi Park area.

Built
1964
Architect
Kenzo Tange
Style
Modernist / Brutalist
Height
40 m (131 ft)
Stories
2
Today
Sports / Concert Venue
National Museum of Western Art

7-7 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan

This UNESCO World Heritage site is a textbook example of Le Corbusier's 'Five Points of New Architecture.' It features 'pilotis' concrete stilts that lift the main gallery space off the ground. The facade is made of prefabricated concrete panels embedded with green pebbles for a natural texture. Inside, the 'Museum of Unlimited Growth' concept allows the building to be expanded in a spiral fashion. It remains the only building in Japan designed by the legendary Swiss-French architect.

Built
1959
Architect
Le Corbusier
Style
Modernist / International Style
Height
15 m (49 ft)
Stories
3
Today
Art Museum
Photo: Akonnchiroll, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Meiji Jingu Shrine

1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557, Japan

This shrine is a prime example of 'Nagare-zukuri' style, featuring asymmetrical gabled roofs that flow outward. It was built from 1,000-year-old Japanese cypress and topped with copper plates that have turned green over time. The architecture is designed to harmonize with the 170,000 trees of its man-made sacred forest. Large torii gates made of ancient cedar mark the transition from the city into the sacred grounds. It remains a tranquil sanctuary dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.

Built
1920
Architect
Chuta Ito
Style
Traditional Japanese (Nagare-zukuri)
Height
12 m (39 ft)
Stories
1
Today
Shinto Shrine / Landmark
Apple Ginza

4-chōme-5-7 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan

This high-tech sustainable building serves as a reimagining of Apple's first international store. It features a unique 'double-skin' facade with automated louvers that adjust to sunlight for temperature regulation. The interior utilizes warm Japanese wood paneling and a signature oxygen-generating glass elevator. It stands as a minimalist oasis in the heart of Tokyo's most prestigious shopping district. The building's footprint is narrow but efficient, utilizing vertical space to create a multi-level retail experience.

Built
2022
Architect
Foster + Partners
Style
High-Tech / Sustainable Modernism
Height
50 m (164 ft)
Stories
12
Today
Apple Flagship Store