University of Tokyo Faculty of Law Building 3

University of Tokyo Faculty of Law Building No. 3: A Masterpiece of Uchida Gothic Architecture

Standing just to the right of the Main Gate of the University of Tokyo's Hongo Campus, the Faculty of Law Building No. 3 is one of the most striking examples of early Showa-era academic architecture in Japan. Completed in 1927 and designed by the celebrated architect Yoshikazu Uchida, this four-story reinforced concrete structure is a registered tangible cultural property that embodies the distinctive "Uchida Gothic" style — a harmonious blend of Western Gothic Revival elements with modern Japanese construction techniques born out of the devastating Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.

For international visitors exploring Tokyo's rich architectural heritage, this building offers a rare opportunity to experience how Japan's foremost university rebuilt itself in the wake of catastrophe, creating a campus landscape that has endured for nearly a century and continues to inspire awe today.

Historical Background: From Earthquake Ruins to Gothic Splendor

The Great Kanto Earthquake of September 1, 1923 devastated much of the University of Tokyo's Hongo Campus. The majority of the Meiji-era brick buildings were destroyed by the earthquake and subsequent fires. In the aftermath, Professor Yoshikazu Uchida of the Faculty of Engineering was tasked with leading the monumental reconstruction effort. Uchida served not only as a professor of architecture but also as the head of the university's building maintenance department, giving him both the academic expertise and administrative authority to shape the campus's future.

Uchida introduced a bold master plan that established clear axial lines across the campus — most notably the east-west axis from the Main Gate to Yasuda Auditorium, lined with iconic ginkgo trees. Along this central corridor and its perpendicular intersections, Uchida designed a series of buildings in a unified Gothic Revival style that would come to define the campus identity. The Faculty of Law Building No. 3, completed in 1927, was among the earliest structures realized under this ambitious reconstruction plan.

Why It Is Designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property

The Faculty of Law Building No. 3 was officially registered as a tangible cultural property on October 9, 1998, alongside several other Uchida Gothic buildings on the Hongo Campus. The registration recognized the building's significance on multiple levels.

First, the building is valued as a key component of the post-earthquake campus reconstruction plan. Its position directly to the right of the Main Gate makes it one of the first structures visitors encounter upon entering the campus, and it faces the Faculty of Engineering Reppin-kan across the central east-west axis, creating a symmetrical gateway composition. While the entrance features Gothic arched arcades similar to those of the Reppin-kan, the eastern façade is designed with emphatic vertical lines that respond to the north-south axis connecting the General Library and Faculty of Engineering Building No. 1. This dual-axis awareness demonstrates the sophisticated urban planning consciousness embedded in Uchida's campus design.

Second, the building exemplifies the rational approach to construction that characterized Uchida's philosophy. Built with reinforced concrete — a fire-resistant material chosen specifically in response to the earthquake disaster — the structure features scratch tile cladding arranged in a distinctive running bond pattern. Uchida favored this technique because the textured surface of scratch tiles concealed minor construction imperfections while creating rich shadow effects, allowing for both efficiency and aesthetic quality.

Architectural Highlights and Points of Interest

The Faculty of Law Building No. 3 rewards careful observation from multiple vantage points. The main entrance on the west-facing side presents a dramatic Gothic arched arcade — a signature motif of Uchida Gothic architecture that echoes the medieval church interiors of European cathedrals. The pointed arches are adorned with finials and crockets that were deliberately modeled after decorative elements from the pre-earthquake campus buildings, creating a visual link between the university's past and its rebuilt present.

The eastern façade presents a contrasting character, with strong vertical pilasters that draw the eye upward. This verticality was intentional, designed to harmonize with the north-south axis of the campus that connects several major buildings. The four-story structure, with a building footprint of approximately 1,727 square meters, achieves an imposing presence without overwhelming the surrounding landscape.

The characteristic brown scratch tiles that cover the exterior are a hallmark shared across all Uchida Gothic buildings. These tiles, with their horizontally scored surfaces, create a warm, textured appearance that changes subtly with the light throughout the day. In the golden afternoon sun, the tiles take on a rich amber hue that contrasts beautifully with the green foliage of the surrounding campus trees.

Visitors should also note the so-called "doghouse" porch — a small entrance canopy with a steeply pitched Gothic roof that appears on many Uchida Gothic buildings across the campus. Uchida was known to be personally fond of this design element, and spotting these distinctive porches on different buildings makes for an engaging architectural scavenger hunt during a campus walk.

The Architect: Yoshikazu Uchida and His Legacy

Yoshikazu Uchida (1885–1972) was one of the most influential architects and structural engineers in modern Japanese history. Born in the Fukagawa district of Tokyo, he graduated from the Tokyo Imperial University's architecture department in 1907 and went on to become a professor and eventually the university's 14th president (1943–1945). He was awarded the Order of Culture in 1972, the highest cultural honor in Japan.

Uchida's approach to architecture was characterized by a deep commitment to rationalism. He believed that good architecture should be easy to construct, and this principle guided his material choices and structural solutions. His adoption of reinforced concrete, scratch tiles, and the running bond tile pattern all reflected this practical philosophy. Yet Uchida was far from utilitarian — his buildings possess a dignified beauty that has earned them lasting admiration from architects, scholars, and visitors alike.

The term "Uchida Gothic" refers to the unified design language that Uchida developed for the campus reconstruction. Drawing inspiration from the Collegiate Gothic tradition popular at American and British universities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Uchida adapted these Western forms to Japanese construction methods and materials, creating a distinctly modern interpretation of Gothic architecture. His work at the University of Tokyo includes some thirty buildings, making the Hongo Campus one of the finest ensembles of early 20th-century academic architecture in Asia.

Exploring the Surrounding Hongo Campus

A visit to the Faculty of Law Building No. 3 naturally leads to a broader exploration of the Hongo Campus, which is open to the public and free to enter. The campus covers an area equivalent to approximately eleven Tokyo Domes and is filled with architectural, historical, and natural attractions.

The iconic ginkgo-lined avenue leading from the Main Gate to Yasuda Auditorium is one of Tokyo's most beloved autumn foliage spots, with trees over a century old turning brilliant gold each November. Yasuda Auditorium itself, completed in 1925 and also designed by Uchida, is the symbolic heart of the university and a registered tangible cultural property.

Sanshiro Pond, named after the famous novel by Natsume Soseki, is a peaceful Japanese garden that dates back to the Edo period when the campus grounds were part of the Maeda clan's feudal estate. The Akamon (Red Gate), an Important Cultural Property built in 1827 for the wedding of a Tokugawa princess, is another must-see landmark, though it has been closed for seismic reinforcement work in recent years.

For dining, the campus offers surprisingly appealing options. The Central Cafeteria beneath Yasuda Auditorium serves affordable Japanese meals including the famous Akamon Ramen. The Hibiya Matsumotoro restaurant in Faculty of Engineering Building No. 2 provides a more upscale dining experience, and the Tsubakiyama-so Camellia restaurant in the Ito International Research Center offers French cuisine near the Red Gate.

The University of Tokyo also offers guided campus tours led by current students on weekends, available in both English and Japanese by advance reservation. These tours provide excellent context for understanding the campus's layered history and architectural significance.

Nearby Attractions

The Hongo Campus is situated in the heart of Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward, a culturally rich district with numerous attractions within walking distance. Yushima Tenmangu Shrine, dedicated to the deity of learning, is particularly popular with students praying for academic success. The Kyu Iwasaki-tei Gardens, a former Meiji-era mansion featuring both Western and Japanese architecture, is a designated Important Cultural Property just a short walk away.

The nearby Nezu Shrine, famous for its spectacular azalea garden in spring, and the Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, one of Tokyo's finest Edo-period landscape gardens and a designated Special Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty, are also well worth visiting. For museum enthusiasts, the University of Tokyo's own Intermediatheque at the JP Tower in nearby Marunouchi offers a fascinating collection of academic specimens and artifacts in a beautifully renovated space.