Who designed the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building?

Kenzo Tange designed the structure.

What is the common local name for the building?

The complex is known locally by the short name Tochō.

What world record is held by the building?

Guinness World Records recognized the site for the largest projection mapping display.

What now occupies the previous city hall location?

The former municipal site in Yūrakuchō became the Tokyo International Forum.

Was the building the tallest structure in Tokyo?

The complex was the tallest building by roof height in Tokyo until Midtown Tower was completed.

Tokyo · Japan

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Long-term residents handle prefectural bureaucracy in the lower halls while visitors gather outside for the evening projection displays on the facade.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building · CC BY-SA 4.0

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About the place

Kenzo Tange designed the complex as the central seat of metropolitan administration.

Locally called Tocho, the complex concentrates the regional governance of Tokyo across two prominent towers. The municipal government manages the special wards, western cities, suburban towns, and outlying island villages from this headquarters. Workers and residents interact with metropolitan administration here for regional planning matters, while the public observation levels provide panoramic views across the urban expanse.

Read on

Architect Kenzo Tange designed the Shinjuku high-rise complex after previously creating the former Yurakucho city hall, which was later replaced by Tokyo International Forum. The twin-tower structure stood as the tallest building by roof height in the metropolis until the completion of Midtown Tower. The exterior gained Guinness World Records recognition as the largest projection mapping installation, drawing crowds to the plaza.

Associations

TochōCommon Japanese name designating the metropolitan government seat.
Kenzo Tange ArchitectureArchitectural masterwork designed by Kenzo Tange across twin towers.
Projection MappingGuinness certified display brings large evening crowds across the plaza.
Administrative ScaleCentralized governance hub creates extensive bureaucratic corridors for visitors.

Facts

Kenzo Tange designed the building to replace the previous city hall located at Yurakucho.
The complex serves as the administrative seat governing Tokyo Metropolis, including its special wards, cities, towns, and villages.
The structure held the record for the tallest building by roof height in Tokyo until the completion of Midtown Tower.
Guinness World Records certified the facade for hosting the largest projection mapping display in the world.
The local Japanese abbreviation for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government headquarters is Tocho.

Updated September 10, 2026Source: Wikipedia

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

What is around13

Kenzo Tange designed the complex as the central seat of metropolitan administration.

Getting there and staying

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