The Tokyo Architecture Festival is now underway, turning the city into a celebration of buildings, creativity, and culture. The event runs from May 17 to May 25, with more than 150 different programs happening across the city. It gives people the chance to explore Tokyo’s buildings in new ways and see the city from a fresh point of view. This festival is for everyone—whether you know a lot about architecture or are just curious about how cities are built. It’s a chance to get closer to the design, people, and stories behind Tokyo’s cityscape.
A Rare Look Inside Tokyo’s Hidden Spaces
One of the biggest reasons to attend the festival is the chance to visit buildings that are usually closed to the public. These include private offices, historic landmarks, design studios, and homes that aren’t open during the rest of the year.
Visitors can step inside these spaces and experience the architecture up close. You’ll see how Tokyo combines old and new ideas, and how buildings are shaped by the people who live and work in them. Some buildings may require an online sign-up ahead of time, but most are open without any registration. There are also special displays inside public buildings. These include plans, drawings, and materials used in the design and building process. It’s a rare chance to understand how some of Tokyo’s most interesting buildings came to life.
Walk and Learn with Guided Tours
Another key part of the festival is the guided tours. These are led by people who know the buildings best—such as the architects, owners, engineers, and even researchers. They walk you through the space and explain what makes it special. Some tours include extra features like short lectures, meals, or discussions. These add to the experience and give you the chance to ask questions. In most cases, tours are done in groups and last between 30 minutes to a couple of hours.Hearing from the creators themselves helps bring each building to life.
You’ll learn about why certain choices were made, what challenges were faced, and how the building fits into its neighborhood. It’s a learning experience that goes beyond what you can see on your own.
Notable buildings taking part in the Tokyo Architecture Festival
Dai-ichi Life, Hibiya – Shimizu Corporation
The Dai-ichi Life Building in Hibiya has an open panel exhibition in the lobby on the 1st floor which will introduce the history of the Dai-ichi Life Hibiya Head Office and Its latest office renovations. The original building, which was completed in 1938, was designed by architects Hitoshi Watanabe and Yosaku Matsumoto. The current building, which was completed in 1995 added the DN Tower 21 (renamed to Dai-ichi Seimei Hibiya First in 2022), was created by the Shimizu Corporation. This was done while still maintaining the base original structure looking the same.
Palaceside Building – Nikken Sekkei
The Placeside Building is located in Chiyoda, close to the Palace Gardens. It is offering paid tours of the building by members of the Nikken Sekkei Corporation (now Nikken Sekkei Co., Ltd.), Yoshiaki Ogura (Architect), Koji Okada (Director, Design Supervision Division, Nikken Sekkei) and Koichi Nakayashiki (Nikken Sekkei Design Supervision Department). This allows a true in-depth look at how the building was created and the renovations and modernization. It was designed by famous architect Shoji Hayashi, chief architect of Nikken Sekkei. It is reminiscent of numerous Metabolist designs.
Takanawa Gateway City
The Takanawa Gateway City is a new development nearing completion, creating a new Access Hub for Tokyo, creating a seamless blend of history, modern architecture, and groundbreaking innovations. Pickard Chilton is the global architect company that worked working on this project. They are offering an exhibition of the town development materials and models at the Takanawa Gateway City Studio.
Events for Everyone
The Tokyo Architecture Festival is made for all kinds of people. There are many different events that don’t require any background in design. Book fairs, talk sessions, creative workshops, and even online learning programs are part of the schedule. These events are a great way to dive deeper into the world of architecture in a relaxed and open setting. For professionals, the festival offers networking sessions and talks with experts. For students and casual visitors, it offers fun and hands-on experiences that spark curiosity. No matter your level of knowledge, there’s something to enjoy. The festival helps people of all ages and backgrounds connect with architecture in a way that feels fresh and exciting.
What It Means for Real Estate and Design
For anyone interested in real estate, this festival offers more than just entertainment. It gives real insight into Tokyo’s design trends and the future of its buildings. Seeing the inside of high-end residences or mixed-use buildings helps you understand what’s driving value in different neighborhoods. Many of the homes and buildings featured during the festival reflect Tokyo’s ongoing focus on smart design, sustainability, and comfort. As the city continues to grow and change, these themes are becoming more important to investors, developers, and homebuyers.
This event is also useful for understanding the unique mix of tradition and innovation that makes Tokyo so appealing. Whether you are thinking of buying, renting, or investing, the festival can help you better understand what makes a property truly special in this city.
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A New Way to See Tokyo
The Tokyo Architecture Festival offers something more than just tours or talks. It’s a way to see the city with new eyes. Through direct access to buildings, expert guides, and creative events, it invites people to connect with Tokyo on a deeper level. Whether you live in Tokyo or are just visiting, the festival shows that architecture is not just about buildings—it’s about people, ideas, and the spaces that bring them together. To explore Tokyo’s design and real estate in more detail, Housing Japan offers luxury homes that reflect the best of what this city has to offer. From classic elegance to modern innovation, we’re here to help you find a space that fits your vision of Tokyo.
See the official Tokyo Architecture Festival website (Japanese only) -> Here
