Tokyo’s futuristic Nakagin Capsule Tower to be demolished

The building will be torn down next month despite a long battle to save the structure and its space-age units

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  Nakagin Capsule Tower, a mixed-use residential and office building in Tokyo, is scheduled to be demolished in April. AFP

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  Takayuki Sekine, a resident of the building, with a scale model of the tower. He lives in one of the 140 units that comprise the building. AFP

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  Masato Abe in one of the 20 units used as homes in the tower. Offices, art studios and second homes comprise about 70 of the capsules. AFP

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  Filmmaker Masa Yoshikawa works in his room at the tower, which was constructed in the 1970s. Getty

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  Tatsuyuki Maeda, a member of the Nakagin Capsule Tower Preservation and Restoration Project, in one of the rooms he owns in the building. There has been opposition to the demolition plans. Getty

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  Cosplaykoechan, a Cosplay DJ, practises in her capsule room. The building considered to be a rare example of Japan's post-war Metabolism architectural movement. Getty

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  The capsules were supposed to be replaced every 25 years, but have instead been allowed to linger in poor condition and now suffer from rust and leaks. Getty

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  The tower was designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa and built in 1972. EPA

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  Owners and residents have campaigned to save the tower, which is scheduled to be torn down on April 12. Getty

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  The building consists of 140 prefabricated steel modules that are 4 metres by 2.5 metres. EPA

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  An original telephone, tape recorder and radio fitted in one of the capsules. Getty

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  Architect Akiko Ishimaru of the Nakagin Capsule Tower Building A606 Project in one of the properties. The crowdfunding project has raised more than $16,000 to preserve one of the capsules. EPA

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  Campaigners want the tower to be designated a Unesco World Heritage Site. Getty

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  Ishimaru has helped to restore capsule A606 in the hopes of preserving it. EPA

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  The view from one of the 140 capsules that make up the Tokyo landmark. EPA

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  The building represents the Metabolism movement, which aspired to build sustainable homes that people could take with them if they moved. EPA

The Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo will be demolished next month, its owners say, after a long battle to save the building.

Completed in 1972 and designed by renowned architect Kisho Kurokawa, the tower is a landmark of the Metabolism movement, which aimed to create sustainable living spaces that people could take with them if they moved.

Its dozens of capsules with large, round windows were designed to be individually removed and replaced, but have instead remained there in a worsening state of disrepair.

The owners plan to extract some of the white cuboid capsules before demolition begins on April 12, said Tatsuyuki Maeda, who bought his first capsule in the tower in 2010.

A security guard on patrol at an area near the Nakagin Capsule Tower (background) in Tokyo, Japan on 29 September 2021. EPA

“We don’t know yet how many capsules we’ll be able to save, but we plan to repair some deteriorated parts and refurbish them to send them to museums, for example,” said Mr Maeda, who refitted several of them himself.

“It’s not a complete end to the building, and I’m looking forward to seeing the capsules’ new life.”

The company started by Kurokawa, who died in 2007, is helping with the revival project, he said.

Mr Maeda and other capsule owners campaigned against the demolition of the building, in central Tokyo’s Shimbashi district, which for years has faced redevelopment threats.

Each of the capsules, built as micro-homes and offices, has a floor space of just 10 square metres and 1970s features such as a fold-out desk and retro clocks.

A detail view of the Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo, Japan on 29 September 2021. EPA

But most of the units have been left to rot, and in recent years the building has suffered corroding pipes and water damage.

Some capsule owners said they would prefer to see the tower demolished than pay for its upkeep.

But the building’s fans reacted to the news on social media with a mix of sadness and resignation.

“Capsule Tower will be demolished soon ... It will be very sad to see the building we admired go,” posted one Twitter user.

“Finally it will be demolished. It’s valuable, but it was the right decision to dismantle it, as it had become quite shabby,” wrote another.