Tokyo Architecture

Tokyo, Japan - Chris Jongkind - Wednesday, January 11th, 2006 : goo

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Westernized and utilitarian to the point of being drab, the skyline and architecture of Tokyo is a bit disappointing to anyone naturally expecting an exotic and eye-catching Asian metropolis, but perhaps an industrialist photographer’s paradise.

There are two reasons for this alleged architectural mediocrity. The first is the relatively young age of most of the buildings. Between earthquakes, war, and a Japanese penchant for constant renovation, the age of Tokyo architecture is scant compared to its European urban counterparts, despite having an equally lengthy and impressive history. Secondly, for a city of its size and sophistication, Tokyo has a surprisingly low skyline. Four tectonic plates meet in Japan, and it is thus frequently shaken by earthquakes. So, for safety reasons, the current tallest member of the Tokyo skyline is the City Hall at a modest 248m, and several other buildings top out around this limit. As engineering technology improves, this number creeps up; a 338m office tower is proposed for west Shinjuku.

That is certainly not to say that Tokyo is without its architectural gems, far from it, this is Japan after all. A convenient and spectacular example to start with is the Tokyo International Forum, south of Tokyo Station. The result of a contest in 1989, won by Rafael Vinoly Architects, this colossal 225m long glass hall, which is said to resemble a whale skeleton, is a marvel to walk through. The Fuji Television Head Office in Odaiba catches your eye with its massive spherical observation platform. Tokyo City Hall is modelled after the Notre Dame cathedral, while maintaining Tokyo’s futuristic persona with its microchip pattern throughout. On a smaller scale, head to Den-en-chofu’s arced streets to see how Tokyo’s wealthiest design their intricate and unique homes.

For the best views of the Tokyo skyline, several buildings have observatories open to the public. Tokyo City Hall, at the heart of the Shinjuku Skyscraper District, offers the best 360-degree views. For other excellent vantage points, also consider the Bunkyo-ku Civic Center (Kasuga Station), the Carrot Tower (it’s orange, Sangenjaya Station), the Sumitomo Building (next to City Hall), Ebisu Garden Place Tower (Ebisu Station), the Marunouchi Building (Tokyo Station), St. Luke’s Tower (Tsukiji Station), Tokyo Tower (Kamiyacho Station), the World Trade Center Building (Hamamatsucho Station), or the Sunshine 60 Building (Ikebukuro Station); only the last three in this list cost money.

Of course, if blocks of modern urban utilitarianism are your thing, there’s a bounty of subject matter in Tokyo. Head to Nihombashi and environs, particularly along Chuo Dori and Showa Dori. Also, the new skyscrapers around Shinagawa Station, the Shiodome Sio-Site at Shimbashi Station, and the Shinonome Canal Court complex just west of Tatsumi Station. And for true manufacturing industry, wander through the Keihin Industrial Island, the meaty part of Japan’s gargantuan industrial machine, best reached from Kojima-Shinden Station on the Keikyu Daishi Line.

View of Shinjuku from the Ebisu Garden Place Tower

View of Shinjuku from the Bunkyo-ku Civic Center

Sunset on Tokyo Tower

Detail of Shinjuku’s office towers

Twin towers in Shiodome

Looking west from Kinshicho

View from the Carrot Tower

Shiodome

In the Tokyo International Forum

In the Tokyo International Forum

Tokyo’s gray and cluttered streets

Along the Sumida River

A bleak but beautiful view east

Apartments in Oimachi

The River City 21 complex

JR Shinagawa Station

In the Bunkyo-ku Civic Center

In the Bunkyo-ku Civic Center

Shinonome Canal Court

Apartments in Kasai-Rinkai

Apartments in Minami-Senju

Businessman in Nihombashi

The Shiodome Sio-Site

Urban desolation by night

Urban minimalism by night

View of Shinjuku from the Ebisu Garden Place Tower

View from the Tokyo City Hall

View from St. Luke’s Tower

Thanks for very much reading everyone. For more photos of Tokyo, I invite you to visit shiodome.deviantart.com/store, or for information on other projects please visit www.chrisjongkind.com. For more information on Tokyo’s architecture, please visit www.emporis.com.

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Nairi: Wow. Amazing photos, and amazing city.

lkm: This is great!

Paolo: wonderful tokyo !

ovi: barcelona is also very beautiful!

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