This was published 2 years ago
Nakagin Capsule Tower, Tokyo: One of Japan's most iconic buildings to be demolished
By Alan Granville
The Nakagin Capsule Tower building created in 1972 by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa.Credit: iStock
It was designed with one eye on the future, but for Tokyo's distinctive Nakagin Capsule Tower, its own future is now very limited.
In one week, the building adored by architects and tourists alike, and featured in countless movies and TV shows, is going to be demolished.
The now dilapidated tower in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, is revered as a prime example of the Metabolism architectural movement.
A room decorated by Japanese retailer Muji in Nakagin Capsule Tower.Credit: Carl Court/Getty
Opening after a two-year build in 1972, it was designed by architect Kishi Kurokawa (1934-2007), who envisioned that the 140 capsules could be taken out individually and replaced to ensure the tower's longevity.
Each capsule homed in two concrete towers, 11 and 13 storeys high, was its own self-contained flat.
Space was at a premium at just 2.5m by 4m, with a large porthole window at one end over the bed. They were designed with the single businessman in mind and came with all the latest mod-cons including a TV and a reel-to-reel tape deck. Each capsule was created off site and then shipped.
Cosplaykoechan, a Cosplay DJ, practices in her capsule room.Credit: Carl Court/Getty
But despite the initial plan to update each of the capsules every 25 years, that never happened. The building, despite starring roles in movies The Wolverine and TV series Heroes Reborn, fell into disrepair.
Over the years most of the capsules were abandoned, becoming little more than storage units. A plan to sell the building fell victim to the financial crash in 2008, but it was eventually bought by a real estate developer in March last year. Despite the disrepair, at least 20 tenants still called the tower home at the end of 2021.
However, they have all left now and on April 12, work will start on the building's demolition.
An original telephone, tape recorder and radio are pictured in a capsule room.Credit: Carl Court/Getty
It will be a sad day for those who tried to protect the building, including Tatsuyuki Maeda from the Nakagin Capsule Tower Building Preservation and Regeneration Project.
He told CNN that he had purchased 15 of the units since 2010.
"Japan does not have the legislation to preserve this kind of architectural culture," said Maeda.
"It is unfortunate that one of the country's most representative examples of modern architectural heritage will be lost."
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