Yasuyo Building

Anyo Building: A Modernist Masterpiece at Shinjuku's Doorstep

Standing just steps from the Central East Exit of JR Shinjuku Station, the Anyo Building (安与ビル) is one of Tokyo's most distinctive architectural treasures. Completed in 1968, this nine-story steel-reinforced concrete building is instantly recognizable for its extraordinary facade — a series of octagonal floor plates, each rotated at a slightly different angle and stacked one atop another, all wrapped in elegant vertical louvers. Registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan in February 2022, the Anyo Building is a testament to the creative brilliance of two of Japan's most celebrated architects: Shindo Akashi, who designed the building itself, and Yoshiro Taniguchi, who crafted the exquisite interiors of the kaiseki restaurant Kakiden housed within.

Historical Background

The Anyo Building was commissioned by Zenichi Yasuda, who built the commercial complex to honor the legacy of his father, Yoichi Yasuda. The elder Yasuda was a prominent businessman who played a key role in bringing the Isetan department store to Shinjuku and operated a number of ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurants) and ryokan (inns) in the area. The building was conceived under the elegant motto "A place for grown-ups to linger in Shinjuku" (新宿で大人の道草を), reflecting its aspiration to offer a sophisticated retreat amid one of the world's busiest transportation hubs.

The building was completed in December 1968 — a period of rapid economic growth and urban transformation in Japan. Construction was carried out by Kajima Corporation, one of Japan's leading general contractors. Despite over half a century of service in one of Tokyo's most bustling districts, the Anyo Building has been carefully maintained. Seismic retrofitting was completed in 2012, and a major renovation has ensured that the building continues to meet modern standards while preserving its architectural integrity.

Why It Was Registered as a Cultural Property

In February 2022, the Anyo Building was officially registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (国登録有形文化財) by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. The registration recognized several outstanding qualities of the building.

The exterior design is described as "distinctive yet refined" (特異ながら品のある外観意匠). The building's L-shaped service wing rises at the rear, while the inner corner features octagonal floor plates clad with vertical lattice-pattern louvers, each floor rotated at a different angle to create a striking spiraling effect. This innovative approach to facade design was ahead of its time and remains visually compelling more than fifty years after its completion.

The interior spaces, particularly those of the kaiseki restaurant Kakiden on the upper floors, were designed by Yoshiro Taniguchi during what is considered the mature period of his career. These interiors include a reproduction of the famous Zangetsu-tei tea room and are described in the cultural property registration as masterworks of Taniguchi's later years.

The Architects Behind the Building

Shindo Akashi — Architectural Design

Shindo Akashi was a professor at Waseda University and a noted researcher of Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture. His portfolio of built works includes the Shinjuku City Hall and the Shinjuku Musashino-kan cinema, both located in the Shinjuku East Exit area. His deep understanding of Wright's organic architectural philosophy can be seen in the Anyo Building's bold geometric forms and its thoughtful integration of structure and aesthetics. The octagonal stacking motif has been compared to a set of nested boxes (jubako), each slightly rotated to create visual rhythm and complexity.

Yoshiro Taniguchi — Interior Design (Kakiden)

Yoshiro Taniguchi (1904–1979) was one of Japan's most distinguished architects, honored with the Order of Culture. His remarkable body of work includes the interiors of the Togu Palace (the Crown Prince's residence), the Japanese rooms of the State Guest House (Akasaka Palace), the Imperial Theatre, the Tokyo National Museum's Toyokan (Gallery of Eastern Antiquities), and the Museum Meiji-mura in Aichi Prefecture, where he served as the first director. Taniguchi's interiors for Kakiden, created in 1969, represent the pinnacle of his mastery in sukiya-zukuri (the refined tea-house style of Japanese architecture).

Tachu Naito — Structural Design

The structural engineering for the Anyo Building was carried out by Tachu Naito, the legendary engineer known as the "Father of Towers" for designing Tokyo Tower, the Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka, and many other landmark structures across Japan. His involvement ensured the building's structural soundness, which has been further reinforced by modern seismic upgrades.

Architectural Highlights and Things to See

The Anyo Building's most eye-catching feature is its facade. The octagonal floor plates, each rotated at a slightly different angle from the one below, create an effect that changes depending on the viewer's position and the time of day. Covered in vertical lattice louvers, the building appears to shift and turn like a sculptural object rather than a conventional office tower. At night, the building is beautifully illuminated, making it a true landmark of the Shinjuku skyline.

Inside, the kaiseki restaurant Kakiden occupies the 6th through 9th floors. The restaurant, founded in 1720, preserves three tea rooms designed by Yoshiro Taniguchi: Zangetsu (a ten-tatami room modeled after the famous Zangetsu-tei), another ten-tatami room, and Ichiyoan (a three-and-a-half-tatami-plus-daime room). The restaurant's name, "Kakiden," was brushed by Nobel Prize-winning author Yasunari Kawabata himself. Visiting Kakiden offers a rare chance to experience authentic sukiya architecture in the heart of one of the world's most modern cities.

The building also houses the Kakiden Gallery in its second basement floor, a contemporary art space redesigned by interior designer Yukio Hashimoto in 2008, known for his work on The Peninsula Tokyo hotel.

Visitor Information and Access

The Anyo Building is located directly adjacent to Lumine Est (formerly My City), making it one of the most accessible cultural properties in Tokyo. The building is situated right at the Shinjuku Station East Exit rotary, providing excellent visibility and ease of access.

• JR Shinjuku Station Central East Exit: 1-minute walk
• Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Shinjuku Station: 2-minute walk
• Toei Shinjuku Line Shinjuku-Sanchome Station: 3-minute walk

While the Anyo Building itself is a commercial office building and not open for general interior tours, visitors can admire the spectacular exterior at any time. Those wishing to experience Taniguchi's interiors can make a reservation at Kakiden restaurant (lunch from 11:00, dinner from 17:00). The Kakiden Gallery on the B2 level hosts rotating exhibitions and is open to the public.

Surrounding Attractions

The Anyo Building's prime location places it at the heart of Shinjuku's cultural and commercial district. Nearby points of interest include:

• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden — one of Tokyo's most beloved parks, just a 10-minute walk south, offering expansive gardens blending Japanese, English, and French landscape design
• Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store — one of Japan's most famous bookstores, located steps away on Shinjuku-dori
• Isetan Shinjuku — the iconic flagship department store, a short walk east
• Hanazono Shrine — a historic Shinto shrine tucked behind the shopping streets, offering a quiet respite from the urban bustle
• Golden Gai — a labyrinthine neighborhood of tiny bars and eateries, offering a glimpse into a retro side of Shinjuku nightlife