Tokyo Bunka Kaikan opened in April 1961, in response to public request for a venue to enjoy opera and ballet in Tokyo, as well as to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the city, by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Even today, they continue to offer fascinating opera, ballet and classical music concerts etc... by international artists. "Tokyo Bunka Kaikan" is known the world over for its "miraculous" acoustics.
The Main Hall seats 2,303 people and is used for opera, ballet, and large orchestras. The Recital Hall seats 649 people and houses chamber music performances and recitals. Tokyo Bunka Kaikan also has rehearsal rooms and various meeting rooms; furthermore, there is a music library. It was designed by Mr. Kunio Maekawa, who is now deceased. Tokyo Bunka Kaikan is often described by the public as a leading modernistic architecture, a "music palace."

5-45, Ueno Koen, Taito-Ku, Tokyo Japan

Main Building　Exposed reinforced concrete　　First Basement　4 stories below the ground   New Rehearsal Building　Exposed reinforced concrete　　Second Basement　First Basement

Lot area Building area Total Floor area Main Building   7,459m2 21,234m2 New Rehearsal; Building   86m2 1,334m2 Total Lot Area 10,370m2 7,545m2 22,568m2

Main Building; 1,630,000,000 yen     New Rehearsal Building; 960,000,000yen

Main Building: January; 1959     New Rehearsal Building; May 1983

Main Building; March 1961     New Rehearsal Building; November 1984

Mayekawa Associates, Architects & Engineers     Yokoyama Architects and Design Office

Science & Technical Research Laboratories

Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Cultural Hall, Architects Office

Shimizu Corporation

Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture Group        Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture        NHK ART INC.        Suntory Publicity Service Limited.