Tokyo Buildings (Photo Collection)

One of the fun things about visiting Tokyo is seeing all the different architecture. I don’t mean the skyscrapers (although they do look cool), but the quirky retro-looking buildings tucked between modern high rise apartments.

I like the mix of new high-tech buildings and 1980s (or earlier) looking ones, sometimes side by side. I’ve put together a collection of interesting buildings I spotted during my visits to Tokyo, and I thought I’d share them with you all here.

Most of these were taken around the Asakusa/Taito City area as that’s where I stayed the longest the last time I was in Tokyo, but there’s some interesting random buildings from different locations in the city. I’ve put cross-street locations as best as I can remember in case you want to go see these buildings for yourself!

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and buy something, I get a small percentage at no extra cost to you. Your support helps keep this blog running— thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Pink Houses

These three were all right next to each other. I love how they’re all slightly different but have similar elements: square tiles, pink and white colors, rectangular windows.

Three Tall & Skinny

The brown building on the left is Soba Shōnin, a noodle shop! The one on the right is Hotel Amanek Asakusa Ekimae. What’s the middle building? Google Maps doesn’t know.

Address: 2 Chome-7-3 Komagata, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0043, Japan

Round corners

I think this might just be an apartment building? I love the rounded corners!

Address: Next to 目黒食品㈱, 2 Chome-18-3 Honjo, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0004, Japan

Ivy

Very rare to see this kind of greenery on Tokyo buildings!

Address: Somewhere in Meguro City (I can’t find the specific location, sorry!)

Toy Shop

This is a tiny toy shop located between two taller buildings. I passed it every time I went up to Ichiran for dinner and always wondered what was inside!

Address: ヒラメキ工房 発明家ショップトキメキ, 1 Chome-14-7 Azumabashi, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0001, Japan

Soba Noodle Shop

A classic-looking Tokyo building, tbh, with the very traditional wooden front facade and more modern upper story.

Address: 生そば大むら, 4 Chome-22-7 Kamezawa, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0014, Japan

Triangle Top

Another interesting shape! I also just realized I didn’t straighten this photo out properly…

Address: Beside 2 Chome-2-8 Higashikomagata, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0005, Japan

Commercial Printer (グンジ印刷㈱)

Just a fun-looking building with some cool text on the store sign. Very reminiscent of 90s anime city backgrounds.

Address: 2 Chome-6-2 Ishiwara, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0011, Japan

Minemura

This is Minemura, a clothing store, which obviously was closed when I walked by. I visited in February so the tree is totally dead, but I’m sure during spring and summer it looks lovely.

Address: 2 Chome-26-2 Ishiwara, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0011, Japan

Small Details

Here’s a collection of photos of things that aren’t entire buildings, necessarily, but that are attached to buildings and that give a certain flavor to the neighborhood.

Shutters

Now this is really just part of a building and not the whole thing, obviously, but I took a photo because of the windows! They remind me of the Edo era houses I saw in Kawagoe, albeit on a modern building. Lots of buildings in Tokyo have details like this, where the past mingles with the present.

Address: Behind Genkoji Temple, 2 Chome-13-14 Honjo, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0004, Japan

Street views

Self-explanatory:

Bicycles

For these I’m not going to put the exact address because they’re private residences.

Red and Black Tiles

Tokyo Chinese Muslim Restaurant

This building is actually three (or more) tiny restaurants but the one with the interesting sign outside is for the Tokyo Chinese Muslim Restaurant (東京穆斯林飯店).

Address: Japan, 〒130-0022 Tokyo, Sumida City, Kotobashi, 2 Chome−18−6 地下一階 第２田中ビル

Coffee Group

Address: 5 Chome-10-14 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022, Japan

Final Thoughts

Walking around Tokyo looking at stuff (buildings, decor, whatever) is SO fun and honestly one of the best things you can do with your time while you’re there.

Do you like looking at buildings? What are some of your favorites you’ve seen in Tokyo?

Save to Pinterest

Explore More

Further Reading

• Tokyo’s Architectural Wonders
• Architectural development of Tokyo, Japan
• Kengo Kuma: My Life as an Architect in Tokyo (book)

Japan Adventures

• Japan Budget Travel Guide (2024)
• Kawagoe, the Little Edo | Tokyo Day Trip
• Exploring Asakusa, Tokyo
• Exploring the Mozu Tombs in Japan (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• From Fukuoka to Busan with the JR Queen Beetle Ferry (My Experience)