A Romanesque Office Block in Kanda
The Taiyo Building (Maruishi Building) (太洋ビルディング（丸石ビルディング）) is an office building of 1931 in Kajicho, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on February 14, 2002 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a steel-framed reinforced concrete building of six storeys and a basement, covering 555 square metres, extended in 1933; registration number 13-0119.
An Office Building on the Former Ryukan River
The Taiyo Building (Maruishi Building) is an office building on the boundary with Chuo Ward, beside the course of the former Ryukan River, designed by Yamashita Toshiro (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Apart from the stone-faced ground floor, it is clad mainly in scratch tiles, with a band moulding at the sixth floor and a terracotta cornice at the top giving the front variety.
The voussoirs of the ground-floor arches and the capitals of the pilasters are carved with animals and plants (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The Chiyoda City Tourism Association introduces it as a Romanesque office building, rare in Japan.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it as a model of design, an office building given variety by its scratch tiles and terracotta.
What to Look For
Notice the animal and plant reliefs on the ground-floor arches and pilaster capitals (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
According to the Chiyoda City Tourism Association, it is still an office building. No official information on interior visits was found.
Q&A
- When was the Taiyo Building built?
- In 1931; it was extended in 1933 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Who designed the Taiyo Building?
- Yamashita Toshiro.
- What should I look for at the Taiyo Building?
- The animal and plant reliefs on the ground-floor arches.
- Is the Taiyo Building still in use?
- Yes, as an office building.
- When was the Taiyo Building (Maruishi Building) registered?
- On February 14, 2002 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Taiyo Building (Maruishi Building) (太洋ビルディング（丸石ビルディング）) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-10-4 Kajicho, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2002/02/14 (Heisei 14) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Steel-framed reinforced concrete, 6 storeys and basement, 555 m² |
| Owner | Taiyo Shokai Co., Ltd. |
| Public Access | Office building (no visiting information) |
References
- Taiyo Building (Maruishi Building) (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00002614
- Maruishi Building (Chiyoda City Tourism Association)
- https://visit-chiyoda.tokyo/app/spot/detail/56
Last verified: 2026.10.16