Asakusa Diary - The Staff Blog

Many examples of buildings that display Tokyo at the cutting-edge of architectural design can be found amongst its fashionable shopping districts. One such place is Omotesando, Tokyo’s famous four-lane, tree-lined boulevard that in recent years has become the city’s showplace for luxury brands and top architects, and it is easily accessible from Asakusa. Just take the Ginza line for a 30-minute train ride from Asakusa to Omote-sando. Below are three recently built buildings located on Omotesando or in neighboring Aoyama:

Toyo Ito’s Tod’s Omotesando Building:

Designed for the Italian footwear retailer, Tod`s is a slender, L-shaped building, it contains offices and a boutique. The 27,448-square-foot building is wrapped by a dramatic enclosure composed of angled concrete elements and glass plates.

Tadao Ando`s Omotesando Hills

Omotesando Hills shopping arcade's low-rise profile echoes the height of the zelkova trees along Omotesando, an approach reinforced by extensive use of rooftop gardens. Omotesando Hills contains a six-story atrium, reaching from the third basement floor through the three above-ground floors. It is enclosed by a spiral ramp that echoes the slope of the boulevard outside.

Takenaka Corporation`s Prada Aoyama Tokyo