In July of this year a new skyscraper called the Tokiwabashi Tower opened near Tokyo Station. Located on the north-east side of the station, Tokiwabashi Tower is 212 meters tall, and has a total of 43 floors, with 5 floors located beneath ground level and 38 floors above. From the B1 basement level to the 3rd floor the tower is dedicated to shops and restaurants with offices occupying the upper floors, and a multi-purpose area on the 8th floor with a lounge and conference rooms.
Tokiwabashi Tower opened in July, 2021
Outside the tower is a terrace area, Tokyo Torch Terrace, which will eventually open onto an extensive park featuring lawns, a river lined with cherry trees, and a pond stocked with koi carp.
A design image of Tokyo Torch Park
However, the new Tokiwabashi Tower, Tokyo Torch Terrace, and the planned park are just part of the Tokyo Torch project, a major redevelopment plan for this area that will also include a second skyscraper called Torch Tower. Although Tokiwabashi Tower is now Japan’s 24th tallest building, it will be dwarfed by Torch Tower, which when completed will be 390 meters tall and the tallest building in Japan.
A design image of the Tokyo Torch district with Tokiwabashi Tower on the left and Torch Tower on the right
Torch Tower will have 67 floors, with 4 below ground and 63 above. There will be shops, restaurants, and a large-scale event space on the lower levels, offices from floors 7 to 53, a luxury hotel from the 57th to 61st floors, and an observation deck at the top. The design of the building is meant to resemble the shape of a torch, and the name expresses the hope that the skyscraper will “illuminate Japan”.
A design image of Torch Tower
Scheduled to open in 2027 at a cost of ¥500 billion Torch Tower is certain to become an iconic symbol of Tokyo and a major tourist attraction by Japan’s busiest station.
A design image of the park between the towers
Article by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
