Breathtakingly Beautiful Artistic Space: Tokyo International Forum

Tokyo International Forum is located in Yurakucho, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.

You can often see it from the train, but I think there are few opportunities to visit unless you have business like an event.

I had an image of it being modern but simple and inorganic, but when I actually saw it, it was not like that at all; it was a work of art where the warmth of the wood and the way the light enters are in perfect harmony.

It is a piece of architecture that I would definitely like you to drop by and see.

About Tokyo International Forum

It is an international convention center located in Yurakucho.
It is a large facility equipped with conference rooms and halls where events can be held.
It opened in 1997, so it has actually been around for quite a while.
It consists of two parts: the Hall Building and the Glass Building.

The focus this time is on the Glass Building, which is modeled after a ship.

Is it surprisingly well-known that the old Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building used to be here?
By the way, the old government building was also a magnificent piece of architecture by the famous architect Kenzo Tange, so it might be worth looking into if you are interested.

About the Underground Plaza

The ground floor basically only has the area near the entrances.
You go down the escalator to the underground plaza, which connects to the underground concourse and each hall.

Placing the plaza underground leads to a sense of openness.

The outdoor ground-level plaza, separated by glass walls, has restaurants and is visited by food trucks regularly. It is characterized by high foot traffic and is surprisingly lively.

Furthermore, if you focus on the fact that the Glass Building's plaza is underground, you can see that the space is clearly separated.

Because of this, even though it is separated by glass, I feel that the inside of the building suddenly becomes a quiet and calm international convention center atmosphere.

Wooden louvers in the underground plaza

People tend to notice the glass atrium first, but I think these wooden louvers are what catch the eye next.They are installed across the entire wall, and they provide a balance with the inorganic glass and structures.

They are installed across the entire wall, and they provide a balance with the inorganic glass and structures.

I think I would have had a rather stiff impression if this weren't here.

Because the entire surface is glass, the way the light streams in was truly artistic.

By the way, it wasn't particularly hot due to the incoming light.

You can also see the trees in the ground-level plaza, so it has a relatively warm feel.

About the aerial corridor

There is an aerial corridor that connects to the Hall Building.

It is located on the 4th to 6th floors and allows access to the Hall Building (it is usually closed).

It is quite high up, so it has an atmosphere similar to the Kyoto Station building.

I wonder if the aerial corridor was structurally necessary.

At first glance, the ceiling doesn't look very clean, but since it is V-shaped, I think it blends in well in terms of design.

It is surprisingly high, so I do not recommend it for those with a fear of heights.

The shape is a stylish truss structure. That point also blends in well.

Other

Light is streaming in, creating shadows.

The way they are irregularly reflected on the walls and floor is also quite nice.

It's hot, so everyone is sitting on the benches for a break.
Having such luxurious benches is just what you'd expect from Tokyo.

Perhaps because it opened in 1997, the signage had a cool Heisei-era vibe.

Since this design was the standard during my childhood, it feels nostalgic, and I have always loved Tokyo from this era, which felt like the near future.

There is a SHAKE SHACK on the premises.

You can also enjoy alcohol at Shake Shack, so it was lively at night as well.

Conclusion

I usually find myself thinking about old architecture, but it is also nice to see modern designs once in a while.

I only saw it during the day this time, but I look forward to seeing it again at night, as it seems it would show a different side of itself.

Basic Information

100-0005
3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
1-minute walk from Yurakucho Station

Opening hours: 07:00–23:30