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About

Building Overview

Inaugurated in 1961 as one of the projects commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Metropolitan Tokyo

Tokyo Bunka Kaikan opened in April 1961 in response to public demand for an opera and ballet venue as well as to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the city by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

The great resonance

Numerous legendary operas, ballet and classical music performances by celebrated artists from all over the world have honored the venue since its opening. The Tokyo Bunka Kaikan is also world-renowned for its amazing acoustics.

Music Hall of Fame

The Tokyo Bunka Kaikan features the Main Hall with 2,303 seats for operas, ballets, and orchestral concerts and the Recital Hall with 649 seats for recitals and chamber music performances. The Tokyo Bunka Kaikan also has rehearsal rooms, various meeting rooms and the unique Music Library. The building was designed by Kunio Maekawa and is a well-known example of modernist architecture which has led to great appreciation by the public as a “Music Hall of Fame.”

View Tokyo Bunka Kaikan's Architecture

Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Building Specifications

Location

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

Structure

Main Building
Exposed Reinforced Concrete, 4 stories above ground and 1 below
New Rehearsal Building
Reinforced Concrete, 1 story above ground and 2 below

Dimensions

  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

Total Cost of Construction

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

Start of Construction

Main Building
January 1959
New Rehearsal Building
May 1983

Completion of Construction

Main Building
March 1961
New Rehearsal Building
November 1984

Architectural Design Office

Mayekawa Associates, Architects & Engineers Yokoyama Architects and Design Office

Acoustical Design

Science & Technical Research Laboratories

Construction Manager

Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Cultural Hall, Architects Office

Contractor

Shimizu Corporation

Designated Administrator of the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan

Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture