Kengo Kuma is one of the most sought-after Japanese architects who’s also prolific. If you plan ahead, you should be able to visit dozens of Kuma’s projects in central Tokyo.
Kengo Kuma’s Buildings in Central Tokyo (3): Ginza, Asakusa and Other Areas
The Kabukiza (Metro Higashi Ginza Station)
The Kabukiza is a performing arts theater dedicated for kabuki, traditional Japanese play. Kengo Kuma led the renewal of the building in 2013, which was the fifth in its long history. As the previous design by Isoya Yoshida (1950) had been popular, Kuma tried to retain Yoshida’s design details as much as possible.
Tiffany Ginza (Metro Ginza Station)
Kuma renewed the Tiffany Ginza building in 2008. He re-did the surface/facade with panels that sandwiched two aluminum honeycombs with glass. Depending on time and weather, they change colors and tones as reflections change.
The Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center (Metro Asakusa Station)
Kuma designed the Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center in 2012. It’s located right in front of the Senso-ji and Nakamise Shopping Street, one of Tokyo’s most touristic areas for its Edo-era (1603-1868) atmosphere. It’s design is defined by fine wooden louvers used to finish the surface for six stories that come in different height and angles.
The Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
The Kadokawa Culture Museum (JR Musashino Line Higashi Tokorozawa Station)
The Kadokawa Culture Museum (KCM) opened in Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan in November 2020 featuring books. The 30-meter, five-story building is clad by 20,000 granite slabs with almost no openings so that it looks like a natural geographical outcrop rather than a man-made building. Inside the building, you can experience the “Bookshelf Theater” which surrounds you with 30,000 books.
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