Tokyo’s historic Tokiwabashi district is undergoing a large-scale redevelopment that will see the construction of Japan’s tallest high-rise building. 

For centuries, Tokiwabashi served as the gateway to Edo Castle, the 15th-Century site of the Tokyo Imperial Palace. In 1914, it became the access point for Japan’s national railway network, and in the 1960s, the district was redeveloped to support Japan’s rapid economic growth. Today, Tokiwabashi is experiencing another transformation. 

Led by real-estate developers, Mitsubishi Estate and their subsidiary architecture firm, Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei, the project, titled TOKYO TORCH, spans a 31,400-square-meter site. It aims to preserve the area’s legacy as Japan’s core economic district, while also imagining a new sense of “joy, pride, peace of mind, and happiness” into the area. The project is being led by Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei architect, Koji Matsuda, with a team consisting of Sou Fujimoto, Yuko Nagayama, and Takanori Fukuoka. 

Four new major buildings are planned for the district, including Tokiwabashi Tower, Torch Tower, which upon completion will be Japan’s tallest building, Electrical Substation Building, and Waterworks and Sewerage Bureau Building. In addition, a 7,000-square-meter plaza will sit between Tokiwabashi Tower and Torch Tower at the center of the redevelopment area. 

The plaza will link to a newly landscaped waterfront along Nihombashi River, a historically significant waterway in Tokyo, as well as Tokiwabashi Park. It will also connect to an open-air walkway that spirals around the first eight floors of Torch Tower, leading to a rooftop garden. The combined outdoor area covers approximately 20,000 square meters.

The seamless connections between the outdoor spaces and the two towers will make it possible to hold events that integrate all facilities. They will also provide local employees and passerby with spots for relaxation. Given the covid-19 pandemic, providing ample outdoor space and expanded options for movement were key priorities for the TOKYO TORCH project. 

The centerpiece of the master plan is Torch Tower, which is scheduled for completion in 2028. The design team’s aim for the 390-meter building is to craft a high rise that is built for people, where nature, architecture, and human activity are seamlessly integrated. An open-air observation deck will be located at the top of the building, while a world-class hotel will be invited to occupy the 57th through 61st floors. The pedestal, comprising the first below-ground floor through the sixth above-ground floor, will feature retail spaces and a multipurpose hall. Surrounding the pedestal will be a verdant open-air walkway.