Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Skyscraper Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (東京都庁舎 Tōkyō-to Chōsha) also abbreviated as Tokyo Palace (都庁), houses the headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which governs not only the 23 wards, but also cities, towns and villages that make up Tokyo as a whole. Located in Shinjuku, the building consists of a complex of 3 structures, each of them taking up a city block. The tallest and most prominent of the three is Tokyo Metropolitan Main Building No. 1, a 48-story tower that splits into two sections on the 33rd floor. The building also has three levels below ground. It was built by Kenzō Tange and a few of his collaborators, and has many symbolic touches, particularly the subdivision at the top, which appears to be reminiscent of a Gothic cathedral. The other two buildings in this complex are the "Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Building" (8 floors, including a basement) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Main Building No.2, which has 37 floors, three of which are underground. The two observation decks are free to the public and contain souvenir shops and a few cafes. They are open until 11pm on weekdays. The use of cameras is permitted, while the use of tripods is prohibited.