travelsalad: Modern Architecture in Tokyo

Due to its destruction during the 20th Century, Tokyo's skyline is known to be a diverse collection of modern and contemporary architecture, from eccentric living capsules to innovative and iconic buildings in the city.

There are a lot of structures to visit and see in this city, but here are seven (7) modern architecture you can easily find Tokyo:

1. Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower

Completed Year: 2008

Architect: Tange Associates (Paul Noritaka Tange)

Height: 204 m

Area: 3,541 sqm
Capacity: 10,000 pax (students)

Standing in the heart of the Shinjuku district, this educational tower was designed in the concept of a cocoon and an incubating form which nurtures the students and inspires them to create, grow and transform. Before the selection for the design of this project, Mode Gakuen held a competition among the 50 participating architectural firms and chose over 150 proposals.
This integrated school building houses Tokyo Mode Gakuen, a fashion vocational school with courses like fashion, makeup and other design courses. It also houses the HAL Tokyo, a special technology and design college with courses like IT and digital content courses), and the Shuto Iko, a medical college with courses like medical, social care, and sports courses.

This 50-storey multi-disciplinary educational building was awarded the 2008 Skyscraper of the Year by Emporis.com. Its elliptic form allows generous views and more ground space which add to its ability to be a facility with powerful learning tool.
Address
1-7-3 Nishi Shinjuku,
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
How to get there
Yamanote Line: Shinjuku Station (plus 3-minute walk)

2. Christian Dior Omotesando

Completed Year: 2004

Architect: SANAA (Kazuyo Sejima & Ryue Nishizawa)
Height: 30 m

Exterior facade of transparent glass walls set in front of a translucent wavy acrylic screens.

Located in Tokyo's most fashionable street where world's luxury retailers are situated, this Dior store is an outgrowth of a very competitive ambiance among the architecture of these retail shops. A straightforward trapezoid box which let the shop transition from one season to another as its collection changes.

Glass sandwiched between horizontal white bands at unequal heights.

Located in the heart of the city's fashion centre, this is a flagship store of the french fashion house, Dior, in Tokyo. Visit also other notable designer stores by Toyo Ito (Tod's) and Tadao Ando (Omotesando Hills)

Address

5-9-11 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku

Tokyo, Japan
How to get there
Omotesando subway Station
Meijijingumae subway Station

3. Tobu Asakusa Station
(Matsuya Department Store)

Completed Year: 2004

Architect: SANAA (Kazuyo Sejima & Ryue Nishizawa)
Height: 30 m

This is a terminal station of Tobu trains heading into the suburbs and prefectures north of Tokyo, including trains to Nikko. This also houses the Matsuya department store.

4. Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center

Completed Year: 2012

Architect: Kengo Kuma & Associates

Area: 234.13 sqm

Each of the floors is defined by the individual roofs which extends from the center part of the building giving several volumes or like different structures on top of another. The design shows the roots of the Japanese architect which shows a series of traditional houses in wood defining the facade of the building.

The division in the facade also defines and separates the spaces according to its use and activities. This visitor center includes the tourist information center in the area, a conference hall, a multi-purpose hall and an exhibition space.

Check here video showing the architecture of Asakusa Information Center.

Address

2-18-9 Kaminarimon, Asakusa, Taito-ku

Tokyo, Japan

5. Tokyo Sky Tree

Completed Year: 2012

Architect: Nikken Sekkei

Height: 634 m
Area: 36,900 sqm
Capacity: 2,900 pax

Exterior is painted as "Skytree White" or a blush white traditional color called "aijiro".

Surrounded by the Arakawa and Sumida river, this 29-storey observation tower, primarily a television and radio broadcast site, is the tallest tower in Japan and the second tallest structure in the world next to the Burj Khalifa.
Additional facilities for this tower are aquarium, theater, cooling and heating facilities.

According to the concept published in 2006, there are three concepts for this tower, which are fushion of neo-futuristic and traditional beauty of Japan, catalyst for revitalization of the city, and safety. The tower has a seismic proofing and a central shaft made of reinforced concrete, together with the damper, as a preventive measure for the earthquakes in Japan.
Address
1-1-13 Oshiage
Sumida-ku, Tokyo
How to get there
Tokyo Skytree Station
Oshiage Station

6. Palaceside Building

Completed Year: 1966

Architect: Nikken Sekkei (Shoji Hayashi)

Height: 634 m

This is 9-storey building with six (6) basements and houses 100 offices. It is known for the most up-to-date telecommunications and its eco-friendly facilities like the free charging for electric vehicles.
Address
1Chome-1 Hitotsubashi
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo-to 100-0003
How to get there
Tozai Line: Takebashi Metro Station

7. Yoyogi National Stadium

Completed Year: 1964

Architect: Kenzo Tange

Capacity: 13,000 pax

Yoyogi Stadium and its iconic suspended curved roof

This was built for the 1964 Summer Olympics Games in Tokyo by one of the most famous modernists, Kenzo Tange. Yoyogi Stadium will also host the handball competitions for the upcoming 2020 Summer Olympics.

It reflects the traditional Japanese architecture and inspiration from the western modern architecture. Innovative structural design is evident in this building during that time with its subtle structural tensile cables, the iconic roof, and its curving concrete base show the aerodynamic, monumental, and suggestive design made it as one of the icon of Tokyo.

It is also well-incorporated with the public space and the Yoyogi park outside the stadium.