View source for Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

{{Short description|Building in Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan}}
{{Redirect|Tocho|the Niger–Congo language of Sudan|Tocho language}}
{{Infobox building
| name             = Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
| native_name      = {{Nihongo2|東京都庁舎}}
| image            = Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building 2024.jpg
| image_size       = 250px
| caption          = 
| location         = 2-8-1 Nishishinjuku,<br>[[Shinjuku]], [[Tokyo]] [[Postal codes in Japan|163-8001]] [[Japan]]
| coordinates      = {{Coord|35|41|23|N|139|41|32|E|region:JP-13_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| highest_prev     = [[Sunshine 60]]
| highest_start    = 1991
| highest_end      = 1993
| highest_region   = [[Japan]]
| highest_next     = [[Yokohama Landmark Tower]]
| status           = Complete
| start_date       = April 1988
| completion_date  = December 1990
| opening          = {{start date and age|1991}}
| building_type    = Prefecture building
| antenna_spire    = 
| roof             = {{convert|242.9|m|ft|sp=us}}<ref name=skyscraperPage>{{cite web|url=http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=210|title=Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building 1|publisher=[[SkyscraperPage]]|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-date=13 May 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030513222535/http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=210|url-status=live}}</ref>
| top_floor        = 
| floor_count      = 48
| elevator_count   = 
| cost             = [[Japanese yen|¥]]157 billion
| floor_area       = {{convert|195,764|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}
| architect        = [[Kenzo Tange]]
| structural_engineer = [[Kiyoshi Mutō]]
| main_contractor  = 
| developer        = 
| owner            = [[Tokyo Metropolitan Government]]
}}

The {{Nihongo|'''Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building'''|東京都庁舎|Tōkyō-to Chōsha}}, also referred to as the {{Nihongo|'''Tochō'''|都庁}} for short, is the seat of the [[Tokyo Metropolitan Government]], which governs the [[Special wards of Tokyo|special wards]], cities, towns, and villages that constitute the [[Tokyo|Tokyo Metropolis]].

Located in [[Shinjuku, Tokyo|Shinjuku]] ward, the building was designed by architect [[Kenzo Tange]]. It consists of a complex of three structures, each taking up a city block. The tallest of the three is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No.1, a tower 48 stories tall that splits into two sections at the 33rd floor. The building also has three levels below ground. The design of the building was meant to resemble an [[integrated circuit]],<ref>{{cite book
|title=Kenzo Tange: Multifaceted Colossus Who Mirrored the Era
|publisher=Nikkei Architecture – Nikkei BP
|language=ja
|date=2005
|isbn=4-8222-0476-6
|page=118}}
</ref> while also evoking the look of a [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] [[cathedral]]. It is the tallest city hall in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1991/01/11/tokyo-to-open-world-s-largest-city-hall-in-april/|title=Tokyo to open "world's largest' city hall in April|website=[[Tampa Bay Times]]|date=11 January 1991|access-date=1 April 2023|archive-date=1 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401210915/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1991/01/11/tokyo-to-open-world-s-largest-city-hall-in-april/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The other two buildings in the complex are the eight-story [[Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly]] Building (including one underground floor) and Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 2, which has 37 stories including three below ground.

The two panoramic [[observation deck]]s, one in each tower on floor 45 ({{convert|202|m|ft|sp=us}} high), are free of charge to the public and contain [[gift shops]] and [[café|cafe]]s.<ref>{{Cite web| title = Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories| publisher = Tokyo Metropolitan Government| url = http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/english/offices/observat.html| access-date = 6 October 2018| archive-date = 9 October 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181009175751/http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/english/offices/observat.html| url-status = live}}</ref> The two observation decks are open between 9:30 and 22:00 on alternating days.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://planetyze.com/en/japan/tokyo/tokyo-government-building/information|title=About Tokyo Government Building – Tokyo Travel Guide {{!}} Planetyze|website=Planetyze|language=en|access-date=2017-09-19|archive-date=2018-07-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701083406/https://planetyze.com/en/japan/tokyo/tokyo-government-building/information|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
The building was designed by [[Kenzo Tange]] and finished in December 1990 at the expense of [[Japanese yen|¥]]157 billion (about [[United States dollar|US$]]1 billion) of public money. It replaced the old city hall at [[Yūrakuchō]], which was built in 1957 and also designed by Tange, which is now the site of the [[Tokyo International Forum]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japan-experience.com/all-about-japan/tokyo/nightlife/tokyo-city-hall-shinjuku|title=Tokyo City Hall, Shinjuku Twin Towers Observatory|website=Japan Experience|date=5 June 2020|access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref>

At {{convert|242.9|m|ft|sp=us}},<ref name=skyscraperPage/> it was the [[List of tallest structures in Tokyo|tallest building by roof height in Tokyo]] until 2007, when the [[Midtown Tower]] was completed.

In February 2024, the building was recognized by the [[Guinness World Records]] for having the world's largest [[projection mapping]] display.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/02/26/japan/politics/tokyo-metropolitan-government-projection-mapping/ |title=Projection mapping show at Tokyo government building world's biggest |newspaper=[[The Japan Times]] |date=26 February 2024 |access-date=27 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510182844/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/02/26/japan/politics/tokyo-metropolitan-government-projection-mapping/ |archive-date=10 May 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20240226-171143/ |title=World's Largest Projection Mapping Display Kicks Off at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building: 5 Screenings Every Day from 7 P.M. |newspaper=The Japan News |publisher=[[Yomiuri Shimbun]] |date=26 February 2024 |access-date=27 February 2024}}</ref>

<gallery>
 Tokyo Prefectural Office and Tokyo City Hall 1930s.jpg|The first Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in the 1930s. It was damaged during World War II.
 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building circa 1960.jpg|The previous Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, between 1957 and 1991, in [[Chiyoda, Tokyo|Chiyoda]] district
 2024 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No.1.jpg|Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1 (''Tōkyō-tochō daiichi honchōsha'')
 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No.2 2009.jpg|Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 2 (''Tōkyō-tochō daini honchōsha'')
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|left=yes|Tokyo}}
* [[List of tallest structures in Tokyo]]
* [[List of tallest structures in Japan]]
* [[Tochōmae Station]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings (1991)}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040407181158/http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/TMG/map.htm Map showing the buildings and its neighborhood]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040407182304/http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/TMG/outline.htm Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings details]
* [http://www.yokoso.metro.tokyo.jp/ Guide to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Tour] {{In lang|ja}}
* [http://citymayors.com/cityhalls/tokyo_cityhall.html CityMayors.com feature]
* [https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/b878c9a5721d49ddc5ee04abdf4d8614/Model-of-the-Tokyo-City-Hall 3D model of the building for use] in [[Google Earth]]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040504115521/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/cx/?id=101773 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Complex]}} at Emporis
* [http://www.accessible-japan.com/places/japan/tokyo/shinjuku/attractions/tokyo-metropolitan-government-building/ Wheelchair accessibility information]

{{S-start}}
{{s-ach|rec}}
{{s-bef|rows=2|before=[[Sunshine 60]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of tallest buildings and structures in Japan#Tallest buildings|Tallest building in Japan]] |  years=<small>243 m (797 ft)</small><br>1990–1993}}
{{s-aft|rows=1|after=[[Yokohama Landmark Tower]]}}
|-
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of tallest buildings and structures in Tokyo#Tallest buildings|Tallest building in Tokyo]] |  years=<small>243 m (797 ft)</small><br>1990–2007}}
{{s-aft|rows=1|after=[[Midtown Tower]]}}
{{S-end}}
{{Tokyo Skyscrapers}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1990 establishments in Japan]]
[[Category:City and town halls in Japan]]
[[Category:Government buildings completed in 1990]]
[[Category:Government of Tokyo]]
[[Category:Kenzo Tange buildings]]
[[Category:Modernist architecture in Japan]]
[[Category:Postmodern architecture in Japan]]
[[Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Tokyo]]
[[Category:Skyscrapers in Shinjuku]]