Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is recognizable by its twin-towered silhouette that splits apart near the top, a design choice intended to evoke the vertical reach of a Gothic cathedral. Known locally as Tocho, this complex serves as the administrative headquarters for the Tokyo Metropolis, managing the government affairs of its millions of residents. Architect Kenzo Tange designed the structure, which was completed in nineteen ninety-one, incorporating patterned granite and glass to reflect both modern technological themes and traditional Japanese aesthetics.