Tokyo is the most populated of Japan's 47 prefectures.[2] Mainland Tokyo is divided into two sections: Western Tokyo and the special wards of Tokyo. The prefecture's tallest structures are within the 23 special wards, which comprise the area formerly incorporated as Tokyo City. As of May 2025, there are over 200 structures in Tokyo that stand at least 150 metres (490 ft) tall, of which 49 are at least 200 metres (660 ft) tall, including those that are still under construction but have been topped out.[3][4][5] Most of these structures are buildings; however, there are other types of structures among the tallest in the prefecture, such as freestanding towers and incinerationsmokestacks.
As of May 2025, 29 skyscrapers are under construction in the prefecture (150 m or taller), with 11 planned to rise higher than 200 metres, including a supertall skyscraper—the 385-metre-tall (1,263-foot) Torch Tower—which is set to become the new tallest building in Tokyo and Japan upon completion in 2028.[11][12]
History
Skyscrapers are a relatively recent phenomenon in Japan. Before World War II, the tallest buildings in Tokyo were the 69-metre-tall (226-foot) Ryōunkaku—severely damaged in the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake and subsequently demolished—and the 65-metre-tall (213-foot) National Diet Building. Due to aesthetic and engineering concerns,[13] Japan's Building Standard Law set an absolute height limit of 31 metres (102 ft) until 1963, when the limit was abolished in favor of a floor area ratio limit.[14] Following these changes in building regulations, the Kasumigaseki Building was constructed and completed in 1968. Double the height of Japan's previous tallest building—the 17-story Hotel New Otani Tokyo—the Kasumigaseki Building is regarded as Japan's first modern skyscraper, rising 36 stories and 156 metres (512 feet) in height.[15][16]
A booming post-war Japanese economy and the hosting of the 1964 Summer Olympics helped lead to a building boom in Tokyo during the 1960s and 1970s. Tokyo pioneered the skyscraper construction boom in Asia (150 m or taller), with several of its skyscrapers holding the title of tallest building in Asia during those decades. Construction continued through the 1980s and 1990s as the Japanese asset price bubble rose and fell.[17]Nishi-Shinjuku, a district within Shinjuku, was the prefecture's first major skyscraper development area. Starting with the construction of the Keio Plaza Hotel in 1971, the district is now home to 11 of Tokyo's 50 tallest skyscrapers.[3][18] Other major skyscraper districts have since been developed, such as the ones around Tokyo Station, Shiodome, Toranomon, or Shibuya Station.
Tokyo has been the site of many skyscraper construction projects in recent years. Over the past decade, 16 buildings rising higher than 200 metres have been completed, of which 7 were completed since 2023.[3] A total of 63 buildings standing at least 150 metres in height have been completed in the prefecture since 2015.[3] Several other skyscraper construction projects have been proposed for the near future, as Tokyo is experiencing a "once-in-a-century" redevelopment boom.[19]
This list ranks the 50 tallest skyscrapers in Tokyo, based on standard height measurement. This height includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts. An equal sign (=) following a rank indicates that two or more buildings share the same height. The "Year" column indicates the year in which a building was completed. Freestanding towers, smokestacks, and other non-habitable or partially habitable structures are included for comparison purposes; however, they are not ranked. These structures are measured by pinnacle height, which includes masts.
Indicates non-habitable or partially habitable structures, such as freestanding towers or smokestacks, as well as buildings with masts or towers
Indicates buildings that are still under construction but have been topped out
Observation decks are located at 150 and 250 m (490 and 820 ft); however, SkyscraperPage claims the real heights are 125 and 225 m (410 and 738 ft)[22][23][24]
Tallest city hall in the world: the complex includes Building No.1, which features two public observation decks over 200 m (660 ft) high, and a 163-metre (535-foot) Building No. 2
Tallest building in Japan at the time of its completion
Part of Sunshine City, which includes the 130-metre (430-foot) Prince Hotel, it features the TENBOU-PARK observation deck, located over 225 m (738 ft) high[52]
It consists of three connected block-shaped elements: S Tower (235 metres; 771 feet), C Tower (209 metres; 686 feet), and N Tower (182 metres; 597 feet)[69][70][71]
The SHIBUYA SKY observation deck features a 360-degree outdoor viewing area at approx. 230 metres (750 feet) high
It is connected through elevated walkways to nearby skyscrapers, such as the 183-metre (600-foot) Shibuya Hikarie and the 180-metre (590-foot) Shibuya Stream and Shibuya Sakura Stage[78][79][80]
The 166-metre (545-foot) Hamamatsucho Building (Toshiba Building) is adjacent to the north and will be replaced by the 227-metre (745-foot) Blue Front Shibaura Tower N[81][82][83]
First skyscraper in the world retrofitted with seismic dampers designed to suppress vibrations from long-period ground motions of earthquakes[92][93][94]
First building completed in Japan with over 50 storeys
Tallest building in Asia at the time of its completion
Renovation works were completed in 2020, which included the construction of an all-weather atrium around the building's lower floors[118][119][120][121]
Part of the Ark Hills complex, which includes buildings like the 153-metre (502-foot) Ark Mori Building and the 133-metre (436-foot) ANA InterContinental Tokyo[136][137][138]
A large portion of the original Tokyo Central Post Office building was preserved as a facade on the lower floors and now features the KITTE Garden rooftop on the sixth floor[159][160][161]
Located just north of the 179-metre (587-foot) Marunouchi Building, which was built on the site of the old 33-metre (108-foot) Marunouchi Building, Tokyo's tallest building from 1923 to 1936[172][173][174]
Part of the WTC Tokyo complex, which includes the 185-metre (607-foot) World Tower Residence and the 156-metre (512-foot) Nissei Hamamatsucho Crea Tower[175][176]
Part of Grand Marina Tokyo, alongside the 165-metre (541-foot) Park Tower Kachidoki Mid[187][188]
= Indicates buildings that have the same rank because they have the same height.
Tallest buildings in each ward or city
The tables below list the tallest buildings in each of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, as well as in cities of Western Tokyo with buildings that stand approximately 100 metres (330 feet) or taller. Non-habitable or partially habitable structures are included if they are the tallest structure in a ward or city.
Demolition work on the WTC Building as of January 15, 2023.
This table lists buildings in Tokyo that have been demolished and once rose approximately 100 metres (330 feet) or taller, based on standard height measurement. The "Year built" column indicates the year in which a building was completed, while the "Year demolished" column indicates the year in which demolition work was finished. Buildings currently being demolished are also included, as well as buildings that are planned to be demolished.
Indicates buildings currently being demolished
Indicates buildings that are planned to be demolished
To be demolished: the 230-metre (750-foot) Tokyo Cross Park North Tower will be built on its site
The 61-metre (200-foot) Imperial Hotel Tokyo Main Building is also set to be demolished, making way for the 145-metre (476-foot) new Main Building (scheduled for completion in 2036)[157][226][227]
The 207-metre (679-foot) Akasaka 2-6-Chōme District Project East Building is under construction on its site[254][255]
Tallest under construction, proposed, and canceled
The tables below list projects currently under construction, proposed for construction, and plans that have been canceled. The cut-off height used for all lists corresponds to the height of the last entry on the Tallest buildings list above. Visionary projects are excluded but can be found in the List of tallest structures envisioned for Tokyo.
Under construction
Azabudai Hills Residence B under construction as of April 5, 2024.
Construction of the new WTC as of February 3, 2024 (first image); and Takanawa Gateway City (foreground), Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower (left, back), and Mita Garden Tower (center, back) as of June 25, 2022 (second image).
This table lists buildings currently under construction in Tokyo that are planned to rise at least 195 metres (640 feet). Buildings that have been topped out but are not yet completed are also included. A total of 29 skyscraper projects planned to rise at least 150 metres (490 feet) are underway in Tokyo, as of May 2025.[256]
Indicates buildings that are still under construction but have been topped out
It will have 117 elevators and is set to become the largest skyscraper in Japan by floor area—and, if completed today, the largest in the world—with approx. 550,000 m2 (5,900,000 sq ft)
An observation deck is planned at approx. 370 m (1,210 ft) high
Sky Hill—a garden and hotel lobby—will be located over 300 m (980 ft) high
Under construction on the site of the demolished 120-metre (390-foot) Asahi Seimei Otemachi Building[12][231]
Topped out: construction is expected to last until April 2026[171]
Proposed
This table lists buildings that are proposed for construction in Tokyo and are expected to rise at least 195 metres (640 feet). Several other skyscraper projects planned to rise at least 150 metres (490 feet) have been proposed.
Set to become the tallest residential building in Japan: although planned as a mixed-use building, the majority of its floors will be dedicated to residential units[274]
Ikebukuro Station West Exit Redevelopment Building B
A 145-metre (476-foot) Main Building will be built next to it, replacing the current 61-metre (200-foot) Imperial Hotel Tokyo Main Building (scheduled for completion in 2036)[157]
The project includes other buildings, such as a 190-metre (620-foot) Life Sciences & Commercial Complex, a 180-metre (590-foot) Residence Building, and a 150-metre (490-foot) Hotel Building, along with other shorter highrises and a stadium[286][287][288]
Tsukiji Market Redevelopment Office & Residence Building
If built, it would have become the tallest building in Japan upon completion
Four skyscrapers were to be constructed: in addition to Residences 1 and 2, a 190-metre (620-foot) Residence 3 (West) was also part of the plan
Relaunched as two residential skyscrapers: the 229-metre (751-foot) North Tower and the 228-metre (748-foot) South Tower, which are currently proposed for construction[281][292][293]
Canceled due to rising construction costs: the developers are preparing a new proposal for the site, which will feature two shorter skyscrapers, increasing the residential space from 40% to 60% at the expense of office space[298][299][300]
Built in 1968, the Kasumigaseki Building was the first modern office skyscraper in Tokyo and was the prefecture's tallest building until 1970.Tokyo Tower reigned as the tallest freestanding structure in Tokyo and Japan for nearly 54 years.
This is a list of buildings that once held the title of tallest building in Tokyo. Currently, the title belongs to Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower. However, the tallest structure is Tokyo Skytree. Since its completion in 2012, it has been the tallest structure in Tokyo as well as in Japan, overtaking Tokyo Tower.
Indicates buildings that once held the title of tallest building in Asia
Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower are not considered habitable structures, as they were built primarily for telecommunications and observation purposes. As such, they do not qualify as skyscrapers, but are the two tallest structures in Tokyo.
This list ranks Tokyo structures, including freestanding towers, smokestacks, and other non-habitable or partially habitable structures that stand at least 195 metres (640 feet) tall, based on standard height measurement. This height includes spires, architectural details, and antenna masts, corresponding to the pinnacle height. The "Year" column indicates the year in which a structure was completed.
Buildings are included only if their total height, including non-habitable structures like masts or lattice towers, is 195 metres or more, but their architectural or roof height without such additions does not meet the cut-off for the Tallest buildings list. Those that are at least 195 metres tall without the aid of non-habitable structures are excluded from this list, as they are eligible for the "50 tallest skyscrapers in Tokyo" ranking.
Observation decks are located at 150 and 250 m (490 and 820 ft) high; however, SkyscraperPage claims the real heights are 125 and 225 m (410 and 738 ft)
This table lists non-habitable or partially habitable structures that have been demolished or destroyed in Tokyo, including the remote islands of Iwo Jima and Minami-Torishima (Marcus Island), and once rose approximately 100 metres (330 feet) or taller, based on standard height measurement. The "Year built" column indicates the year in which a structure was completed, while the "Year demolished" column indicates the year in which demolition work was finished. If the year in which a structure was fully demolished is unknown, the year demolition started is provided instead. Structures currently being demolished are also included, as well as those that are planned to be demolished.
Indicates structures currently being demolished
Indicates structures that are planned to be demolished
A.^ This structure is not a habitable building but is included in this list for comparative purposes. Per a ruling by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, freestanding observation towers, chimneys or masts are not considered to be buildings, as they are not fully habitable structures.
^ ab"最上階到達!地上51階、高さ249.72m「東京駅前八重洲一丁目東B地区第一種市街地再開発事業」の建設状況(2024.10.6)" [Reaching the top floor! 51 floors above ground, 249.72m high "Tokyo Station Yaesu 1-chome East B District Type 1 Urban Redevelopment Project" construction status (2024.10.6)] (in Japanese). bluestyle.livedoor.biz. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
^"新呉服橋ビル等の跡地!地上44階、高さ218m「八重洲一丁目北地区第一種市街地再開発事業」の既存建物解体状況(2024.8.17)" [The former site of the Shin-Gofukubashi Building and others! 44 stories above ground, 218m high, demolition status of existing buildings for the "Yaesu 1-chome North District Type 1 Urban Redevelopment Project" (2024.8.17)] (in Japanese). August 25, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
^ ab"第二六本木ヒルズ!高さ327mのビルや高さ288mのタワマン「六本木五丁目西地区」の環境影響評価書案に係る見解書が公開" [The second Roppongi Hills! The opinion paper on the proposed environmental impact assessment for the "Roppongi 5-chome West District" - a 327m-tall building and a 288m-tall tower condominium - has been released] (in Japanese). March 6, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
^ ab"高さ270m・220m・185mの超高層ビル!池袋駅西口側の超大規模再開発「池袋駅西口地区」の環境影響評価書案に係る見解書が公開" [Skyscrapers 270m, 220m, and 185m tall! The opinion paper on the proposed environmental impact assessment for the ultra-large-scale redevelopment project "Ikebukuro Station West Exit District" on the west side of Ikebukuro Station has been released] (in Japanese). September 18, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.