"Tokyo Architecture Festival 2026" Program Announced

The "Tokyo Architecture Festival" (Organizer: Tokyo Architecture Festival Executive Committee, Executive Committee Chair: Shunsuke Kurakata), a large-scale architectural experience event with the philosophy of "Feeling people through architecture, knowing the city," announces its program information for the 2026 event (Saturday, May 16 - Sunday, May 24, 2026) on its official website.

◇ "Tokyo Architecture Festival" Official Website
https://kenchikusai.tokyo/

In its first year in 2024, the festival started with Nihonbashi-Kyobashi, Otemachi-Marunouchi-Yurakucho, and Ginza-Tsukiji as target areas. In 2025, Ueno-Yushima-Hongo, Kanda-Kudanshita, and the Minato Ward area were added, expanding the scope. For the third edition in 2026, Shibuya will also be included, featuring a record-breaking 151 participating architectural sites.

This event offers an opportunity to encounter the diverse forms of Tokyo's architecture through special public openings, special exhibitions, guided tours, and talk events.

Tokyo Architecture Festival 2026 Program Overview

The Tokyo Architecture Festival 2026 offers a variety of programs to experience the joy of architecture.
In addition to historical modern architecture, post-war office buildings, and ingeniously renovated buildings, this year's festival features an enriched selection of school buildings, cultural facilities such as museums and art galleries, Japanese-style architecture, and embassies, further broadening the range of architectural experiences. Opportunities to meet people involved in architecture, such as open houses of design firms and construction companies, and presentations by architecture students, have also been expanded.

Furthermore, the program includes talk events and networking sessions with city stakeholders and those involved in communicating architecture, as well as collaborative projects like cruises and exhibitions, offering a deeper appreciation of architecture.

The festival has secured 35 sponsoring partners who support its social significance. This is approximately 1.3 times the number of supporting organizations and companies from last year (as of March 23).

● Special Public Openings / Special Exhibitions

These are free, no-application-required self-guided programs.

You can enjoy special public openings that showcase normally inaccessible buildings and spaces, and special exhibitions held in normally accessible locations during the festival period, at your own pace.

70 sites are planned for 2026.

※ Some venues with limited visitor capacity may require advance booking for entry order.

● Guided Tours

These programs are generally paid and require advance application.

Guides will include people deeply involved with the sites, such as building owners, architects, engineers, and researchers, who rarely have the opportunity to share their insights. Tours will cover architectural details and untold stories. Tours with lunch or lectures are also available.

These popular programs often have a high lottery win rate, but in 2026, the number of courses has been expanded to 120 courses and 257 sessions, offering a more diverse range of experiences.

● Events

A total of 27 programs, including talk events, networking sessions, and workshops, will be held to delve into the depth of architecture.

Participation fees and methods vary depending on the event.

● Visit Support to Deepen Architectural Experience

The Tokyo Architecture Festival provides visit support such as "Audio Guides" and "Architecture Navigators" to enhance your architectural experience.

Audio Guide (Free)
This service provides audio commentary on the highlights of special public openings and special exhibitions. It can be used for pre-visit preparation or as a companion during your visit, making it easy to understand the background and points of interest of the buildings.

Architecture Navigator
With the cooperation of organizations like the "Tokyo Heritage Managers Association," Architecture Navigators will provide explanations at about a dozen special public opening sites. A key feature of this support is discovering the charm and highlights of buildings through on-site guidance.

Here is a partial list of all programs.

◆ Special Public Openings / Special Exhibitions: 70 sites (Free, No application required)

Former Iwasaki Residence Garden, Tokyo National Museum Japanese Garden Tea House, University of Tokyo Faculty of Science Building No. 2, MARU. architecture, Tokyo University of the Arts Main Building (Red Brick), Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ouenso, National Diet Library International Library of Children's Literature, Yasui Architects Tokyo Office, Kanda Port Building, Okada Building, Former Konoe Division Headquarters, Kyoritsu Auditorium, Nihon University College of Science and Technology Surugadai Campus Building No. 1, Palace Side Building, JINS Tokyo Headquarters, manchi ecute Kanda Manseibashi (Former Manseibashi Station), Watertower, Meiji Seimei Kan, Dai-ichi Life Hibiya First, Shin Tokyo Building, Former Tokyo Central Post Office, Nissho Kan, Mitsui Main Building, Maruishi Building, HAMACHO HOTEL, HAMACHO FUTURE LAB, Mitsukoshi Theater, Tokiwa Elementary School, Yaesu Dai Building, Toda Corporation Headquarters Museum TODA CREATIVE LAB “TODAtte?”, Edo-ya, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Former Miyaki Building (Kawasaki Brand Design Building), Catholic Tsukiji Church, Hibiya OKUROJI, Yurakucho Marion (Yurakucho Center Building), Former Shimbashi Station Building, BLUE FRONT SHIBAURA, SHIBAURA HOUSE, Minato City Traditional Culture Exchange Center, Waters Takeshiba, Minato City Lifelong Learning Center Balloon, Tokyo Port City Takeshiba, Canadian Embassy, All Japan Seamen's Union Headquarters Building, Noah Building, Former Nogi Residence, Kajima KI Building, renovators, spiral, Minato City Local History Museum, Keio University Mita Enzetsukan, Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, Friends School Junior High and High School Junior High Building, TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY, Shinagawa Intercity, Keio University Old Library, Onko Gakkai Kaikan, Hiroo Elementary School, Kokugakuin University, Hillside Terrace, NOVARE Archives (Shimizu Corporation Historical Archives), Jun Mitsui & Associates Architects, Kume Sekkei Headquarters Building, Nikken Sekkei Tokyo Office (Headquarters)

◆ Guided Tours: 120 courses (Generally paid, advance application by lottery)

Partial Excerpts
【Ouenso (Former Karatoda Residence)】From the brink of demolition to the next 100 years: Renovation project of a Taisho-era residence
【Yanaka】Tracing the memories from Edo remaining in the streets and buildings
【Mexican Embassy】Savoring the modernism of Hiroshi Ohe
【NTT Hibiya Tower】Viewing the future urban landscape with planners
【Mitsubishi Ichigokan】The charm of Condor's architecture revived in modern times and the behind-the-scenes story of its restoration
【Tokyo Sankei Building】A tour of a large-scale office building connected to the city

【JINS Ginza Store】A tour with the designer, feeling the soft resonance of Japanese style and art
【Museum Tower Kyobashi Building】Touch upon the design philosophy of a skyscraper connecting the city and art

【GINZA SIX】Behind-the-scenes of urban regeneration with the designer, special tour of the Noh theater and non-public areas

【Zojoji Temple San-gedatsu Gate】Special viewing of the preservation and repair site of an important cultural property

【SHIBAURA HOUSE】Newly created accommodation space also open for viewing, walk through the floating architecture

【Spanish Embassy】A Spanish-style Western-style house from Gardiner's late period

【All Japan Seamen's Union Headquarters Building】Modernism passed down and architecture that lives on

【SunnyHills Minami Aoyama】Tour with tea time to explore the architecture with a wooden lattice facade

【Toraya Akasaka Store】Enjoying Japanese confectionery culture with Minori Kai in "Sweets at Famous Architectures"

【Architecture Museum】Experience another face of Tokyo through architectural models
【Danish Embassy】A residence reflecting culture - To the modernist ambassador's residence

【Azusa Architect & Engineers】Architecture that works with the sky - Azusa Architect & Engineers Office x ANA BLUE BASE Tour

【Watarium Museum】Tour with special Japanese sweets to enjoy architecture and art, from exhibition spaces to the rooftop and backyards

Others

◆ Various Events and Projects (Participation methods vary by event)

Partial Excerpts

【Talk Event】Creating Tokyo, Creating in Tokyo - Dialogue with Young Female Architects

【Talk Event】Architecture with a Human Face - Young Architects x Entrepreneurs Talk Session

【Talk Event】Masayuki Kurokawa Lecture: From the Age of Creation to the Age of Discovery

【Talk Event】Gaudi: A Window to the Future

【Workshop】Creating a Unique Lamp from Upcycling
【Workshop】Parent-Child Dialogue-Based Architectural Appreciation
【Collaborative Project】YKK AP 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT Tokyo Satellite Exhibition (Exhibition)

【Collaborative Project】Time Leap Cruise ~Viewing the Transition of Architecture from the Waterside~ (Cruise Tour)

【Collaborative Project】Echo Heritage A Cappella Live

【Collaborative Project】Tohata Architects "Seirin Bunko Exhibition"

【Collaborative Project】Short Film Screening "A Summer in Singapore"

Others

◆ Visit Support

How to Enjoy the Tokyo Architecture Festival: In-depth Analysis of Specially Opened Buildings (Pre-event Live Streaming)

Tokyo Architecture Festival Audio Guide (Architecture historian and executive committee member Shunsuke Kurakata explains specially opened buildings)

Architecture Navigator (Support for Special Public Openings)

Free Shuttle Bus (Introduction to free buses and community buses within the area)

Minmachi Drop (Map with comments)

Others

◆ Membership Community "Architecture Festival Official Club"
A place for architecture fans to enjoy both online and in real life. In collaboration with architecture festivals in Kyoto and Kobe, it offers monthly live streams, member-exclusive openings, and tours, fostering interaction among experts and participants.
▶ Details and Registration here

https://club.kenchikusai.jp/

Lottery Application Details

Guided tours and events requiring advance application will be accepted via lottery as follows. Please apply within the application period below.

■ Application Site: Tokyo Architecture Festival Official Website, Each Program Page
https://kenchikusai.tokyo/

■ Program Release (Lottery Application Acceptance Start)
March 31, 2026 (Tuesday) 9:00 AM

■ Lottery Application Deadline
April 19, 2026 (Sunday) 23:59

※ After the lottery, remaining seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

About the 2026 Tokyo Architecture Festival

Name: Tokyo Architecture Festival
Dates: Saturday, May 16 - Sunday, May 24, 2026 (Special Public Openings: Saturday, May 23 & Sunday, May 24)

Event Areas: Ueno-Yushima-Hongo / Kanda-Kudanshita / Nihonbashi-Kyobashi / Otemachi-Marunouchi-

Yurakucho / Ginza-Tsukiji / Shimbashi-Takeshiba-Shibaura / Shinagawa-Mita-Shirogane /

Roppongi-Akasaka-Aoyama / Shibuya (※Newly Added) / Others

Official Website: https://kenchikusai.tokyo/

Crowdfunding in Progress: https://motion-gallery.net/projects/tokyokenchikusai2026

Architecture Festival Official Club: https://club.kenchikusai.jp/

Organizer: Tokyo Architecture Festival Executive Committee

Cooperation: Agency for Cultural Affairs / Chuo City Tourism Association / Chiyoda City Tourism Association / Otemachi, Marunouchi, Yurakucho Area Management Association / Nihonbashi Kabutocho Revitalization Council / Nihonbashi-Hamacho Area Management Association / Higashi-Ginza Area Management Association / Kyobashi Saiku Area Management Association / Minato City Tourism Association / Ginza Street Planning Council / Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association / Tokyo Architecture Access Point / Tokyo Heritage Managers Association

Grant: Arts Council Tokyo [Grant Program for Creating Cultural Appeal]

Sponsorship: JINS Holdings Inc. / Yamashita PMC Inc. / Takenaka Corporation / Taisei Corporation / Kajima Corporation / Obayashi Corporation / Shimizu Corporation / Toda Corporation / Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd. / Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei Inc. / JR East Architects & Engineers Inc. / Tokyo Localized / YKK AP Inc. / Azusa Architect & Engineers Inc. / Nihonmatsu Gakuin Educational Foundation / Heiwa Real Estate Co., Ltd. / Yasuda Real Estate Co., Ltd. / Tohata Architects & Engineers Inc. / NTT Urban Solutions Corporation / Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company / Sankei Building Co., Ltd. / Nikken Sekkei Ltd. / Yasui Architects & Engineers Inc. / Sato Architectural Office / Kengo Kuma & Associates / DE-SIGN Group / Nihon Sekkei Inc. / Kume Sekkei Co., Ltd. / Yokomori & Associates / Matsuda Hirata Architects / Ishimoto Architectural & Engineering Firm, Inc. / Yokogawa Architects & Engineers Inc. / NTT Facilities Inc. / Daibiru Corporation / renovators Inc.

Material Partner: JR East Urban Development Co., Ltd.

【Contact and Media Inquiries】
Tokyo Architecture Festival Executive Committee Secretariat (Nishikawa)
103-0001 Tokyo, Chuo-ku, Nihonbashi-Kodenmacho 16-5
https://2026.kenchikusai.tokyo/contact/