Tokyo is known for having a hodgepodge style of architecture: in some neighbourhoods, the styles are so varied that the architectural make-up of that area appears jarring. Yet for fans of concrete, Brutalist-style architecture, the city has a wealth of hidden and not-so-hidden gems, perpetuated by big names such as Kenzo Tange, Tadao Ando and Toyo Ito, Japanese architects all known for their unorthodox use of concrete.
If you're looking to get a handle on some of the most interesting ones, the Concrete Tokyo guide map has a round-up of 50 noteworthy buildings. Edited by Naomi Pollock, a Tokyo-based licensed architect-turned-writer, the bilingual map shows a map of the city on one side, while the reverse lists the buildings and their respective architect and location in both English and Japanese, plus photos and an introduction on concrete architecture in the capital.
Yoyogi National Stadium by Kenzo Tange / © Jimmy Cohrssen for Blue Crow Media
However, the map doesn't provide much in terms of a background story to each building or possible opening hours for the more public buildings – that is up for you to find out. The ¥1350 price tag may feel a bit steep for those not inclined to seek out design in the wild. But it is a beautiful map (the gray background mirrors the theme perfectly, too) that provides enough lead for you to head out there and explore some of the most intriguing concrete architecture in Tokyo.
Want to get a copy? The Concrete Tokyo Map is sold at various outlets in Tokyo, including Daikanyama T-Site, GA Gallery and B&B.