Tokyo - Nishi-Shinjuku: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building by wallyg

Tōkyō-to Chōsha (東京都庁舎), or The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, also referred to as Tokyo City Hall or Tochō (都庁) for short, houses the headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which governs not only the 23 wards, but also the cities, towns and villages that make up Tokyo as a whole. Built to the design of architect Kenzo Tange, it was completed in 1991 and at 243 meters tall, it held the title of tallest building (by roof height) in Tokyo until 2006. The two panoramic observation decks, one in each tower on floor 45 (202 meters high), are free of charge to the public and contain gift shops and cafes. The building’s design, meant to resemble a computer chip, consists of three structures, each taking up a city block. The tallest and most prominent of the three is Tokyo Metropolitan Main building No.1, a tower 48 stories tall that splits into two sections at the 33rd floor, recreating the look of a Gothic cathedral. The other two buildings in the complex are the eight-story Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Building (including one underground floor) and Tokyo Metropolitan Main Building No.2, which has 37 stories including three below ground.