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The Amazing Art and Architecture of Japan's Tokyo Station

The Amazing Art and Architecture of Japan's Tokyo Station

Last updated: 21 May 2020

Aside from the station building being designated as an important cultural property, there are a lot of highlights in Tokyo Station. When you first arrive at Tokyo Station, make sure to take a look around the inside of the station building.

The Majestic Ceiling

The Majestic Ceiling

The original octagonal and coved ceiling with eagle carvings was destroyed during the war. However, after restoration work, it was precisely reproduced according to the original design. The impressive eagles were placed in 8 spots, and the 8 animal reliefs were arranged in designated directions. Other than that, the keystone inspired by a 15th century military commander's helmet and the sword relief are beautifully made and will take your breath away.

Mixed Face Bricks

Mixed Face Bricks

If you look closely at the station building face bricks, you'd notice that their colors are slightly different between the 2nd and 3rd floors. During the conservation and restoration work, the original bricks for the 1st and 2nd floor wall were preserved. The wall of the 3rd floor was extended with new face bricks, with bricks made by 3 different methods being used.

Restored Pillars

Restored Pillars

The 3rd floor was restored with reinforced concrete and covered with new face bricks. The face bricks were made according to the original design. For the restoration of the outer wall of the 3rd floor, the pillars were also restored to their original appearance. The pillars of the 3rd floor were constructed anew and the carvings that used to be on the 2nd floor were moved to the top of the pillars on the 3rd floor. For the 2nd floor, the original pillars were kept.

Famous Meeting Point

Famous Meeting Point

Gin no Suzu (Silver Bells) Square was created in 1968. At that time, the number of Shinkansen bullet train passengers increased and the station was packed with people who came to see these passengers. Eventually many people lost their way around the station and in order to solve the problem, this meeting point was made. The square with an outstanding big bell, inspired by ones used in shrines, became a very well-known meeting point in Tokyo Station. The current bells are actually the 4th generation of bells.

Tokyo Station is the starting point of Japanese railway

Tokyo Station is the starting point of Japanese railway

Because the Chuo Line, Tohoku Main Line, Tokaido Main Line, Tokaido Shinkansen, Tohoku Shinkansen, and Sobu Main Line start at Tokyo Station, there is a distance post indicating zero at each rail track at the Station. Each post looks different and it would be fun to check and compare them. The post in between platform 4 and 5, as you can see in the picture above, was installed in 1969 for the 55th anniversary of Tokyo Station.

The Wheels of a Glorious Machine

The Wheels of a Glorious Machine

A monument of the wheels of a real train are displayed in Dorin no Hiroba Square located in the Marunouchi Underground North Gate. The wheels belonged to the C62-15 steam locomotive which achieved a total mileage of 2.63 million kilometers until it was disassembled in 1971. Three 1.75 meters in diameter wheels are lined up there.

  • The Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building
    • Address 1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0005
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    • Nearest Station Tokyo Station (Tokaido Shinkansen Line / Hokkaido Shinkansen Line / Tohoku Shinkansen Line / Akita Shinkansen Line / Yamagata Shinkansen Line / Joetsu Shinkansen Line / Hokuriku Shinkansen Line / JR Tokaido Main Line / JR Yokosuka Line / JR Sobu Main Line / JR Sobu Main Line (Rapid) / JR Keihin-Tohoku Line / JR Yamanote Line / JR Chuo Main Line / JR Keiyo Line / JR Ueno Tokyo Line / Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)

A Prestigious Hotel

A Prestigious Hotel

The Tokyo Station Hotel was opened in 1915 on the premises. The hotel was also renovated during the station building's conservation and restoration work. When you enter, you will see elegant classic European style interior decoration suitable for the splendid station building. A part of the original red bricks are displayed inside. From the small room with a view of reliefs of both domes, you can enjoy their beautifully made ceilings.

  • The Tokyo Station Hotel
    • Address Chiyoda-ku Marunouchi 1-9-1, Tokyo, 100-0005
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    • Nearest Station Tokyo Station (Tokaido Shinkansen Line / Hokkaido Shinkansen Line / Tohoku Shinkansen Line / Akita Shinkansen Line / Yamagata Shinkansen Line / Joetsu Shinkansen Line / Hokuriku Shinkansen Line / JR Tokaido Main Line / JR Yokosuka Line / JR Sobu Main Line / JR Sobu Main Line (Rapid) / JR Keihin-Tohoku Line / JR Yamanote Line / JR Chuo Main Line / JR Keiyo Line / JR Ueno Tokyo Line / Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
      1 minute on foot

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The Exhibit Room for the Brick Wall with a 100-year History

The Exhibit Room for the Brick Wall with a 100-year History

The Tokyo Station Gallery is located in front of the Marunouchi North Exit. Exhibitions in a wide variety of genres are held in calm spaces in the Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building which is registered as an important cultural property. You can take a close look at the original bricks in an exhibition room on the second floor. These remaining partially burnt red bricks tell the story about its long dramatic history, including surviving the war.

  • Tokyo Station Gallery
    • Address 1-9-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0005
      View Map
    • Nearest Station Tokyo Station (Tokaido Shinkansen Line / Hokkaido Shinkansen Line / Tohoku Shinkansen Line / Akita Shinkansen Line / Yamagata Shinkansen Line / Joetsu Shinkansen Line / Hokuriku Shinkansen Line / JR Tokaido Main Line / JR Yokosuka Line / JR Sobu Main Line / JR Sobu Main Line (Rapid) / JR Keihin-Tohoku Line / JR Yamanote Line / JR Chuo Main Line / JR Keiyo Line / JR Ueno Tokyo Line / Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
      1 minute on foot
    • Phone Number 03-3212-2485
*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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