Japan’s new tallest building opens in Tokyo

330 meter tall Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower opened on November 24, 2023

By Raina OngNovember 20, 2023

Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower, the tallest building in the Japan, Roppongi Hills on the left and Toranomon Hills with the T on the right

Azabudai Hills, a mixed-use commercial and residential complex in central Tokyo, opened on November 24, 2023. The sprawling complex consists of three towers - one office tower and two residential towers - and smaller garden plazas. Known as the Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower, the office tower is currently Japan's tallest building at 330 meters, until 2027 when the 390 meter Torch Tower near Tokyo Station is expected to be completed. Unfortunately, none of the higher floors are open to tourists, so gazing up the tower is the only way to appreciate the height of the building.

The highest floors - 53rd to 64th - of the office tower is occupied by Aman Residences, a partnership with the Aman luxury hotel group, followed by office space from the fifth to the 52nd floors. The Keio University medical center is located on the fifth and sixth floors. Open to the general public are the retail shops and restaurants, which take up the basement to the fourth floors. Additionally, several luxury brands have their boutiques in the garden plazas. Azabudai Hills is directly connected to Kamiyacho Station on the Hibiya Subway Line, and is about five minutes on foot from Tokyo Tower.

The urban redevelopment of Azabudai Hills brings about a significant increase of residential and office space, retail shops and restaurants in the otherwise quiet neighborhood of Azabudai, which contains numerous embassies and consulates.

Scale model of the Azabudai Hills project. The tallest tower on the left is the Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower and the two others are the residence towers. The complex also includes several smaller garden plazas

Looking down at the smaller garden plazas

The 52nd floor overlooks the 250 meter high upper observation deck of Tokyo Tower

Office workers and residents with access to the higher floors at Azabudai Hills will be able to enjoy nice views of the city

The main concept of Azabudai Hills is to create an urban, modern village that integrates wellness, greenery and culture. The complex incorporates plenty of greenery in the form of an expansive herb and fruit garden in the open space between the buildings and even on the roofs of the plaza buildings. Additionally, public art work by various internationally renowned artists in the complex can be enjoyed by everyone.

While the official opening of Azabudai Hills was on November 24, 2023, the full opening of all the businesses in the complex will happen gradually over the months to come. Of interest to most visitors are the digital art museum teamLab Borderless, the wide and varied retail shops and dining options as well as Aman's new sister hotel, Janu Tokyo.

The newly built Sakura-asa Street splitting the garden plazas. High end boutiques by brands like Hermes, Celine and Dior will be opening along this street over the next few months

Azabudai Hills from the ground. The skyscraper on the right is the Ark Hills Mori Tower

Public artwork in the green space. This sculpture is Miss Forest in Tokyo by Nara Yoshitomo

This looks like a nice outdoor space in the city center

Some strolling paths in the central garden to get closer to the herb plants and fruit trees

Strolling down Sakura-asa Street and Tokyo Tower in the background

Garden plazas with the Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower on the left and a residence tower on the right

teamLab Borderless, which used to be located in Odaiba, Tokyo, closed on August 31, 2022. From early February 2024, teamLab Borderless will be reborn at Azabudai Hills, bringing with it new artwork, which would no doubt mesmerize many. The digital art museum is located in the basement floor of Azabudai Hills.

In between projections at the Megalith Crystal Formation artwork

Slated to be the next gourmet destination in central Tokyo, Azabudai Hills is where many domestically and internationally renowned restaurants and cafes call home. The carefully curated list of shops and restaurants located in the office tower and garden plazas provide mix of casual and fine dining options, while ensuring that a high level of quality is maintained throughout all options. Michelin favorites like Florilege, aca, Tominokoji Yamagishi and Tempura Niitome will be reopening their restaurants on site, while offshoots of Sushi Saito and Saawaan will be opening new restaurants to allow a wider range of diners to experience their cuisine.

Roof top terrace restaurant, which can also be accessed directly from street level

Minimal, a chocolate company, offers an interesting chocolate and drink course pairing

% Arabica has two stores in Azabudai Hills for their first foray in Tokyo

Nakamura Tokichi is a noted green tea specialty shops from Uji, Kyoto

Shogun Burger, a wagyu beef patty burger, has its humble beginnings in Toyama Prefecture

The Azabudai Hills Gallery hosts an exhibition by Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson through March 2024

Those interested in manga might want to check out the Shueisha Manga Art Heritage permanent gallery, which showcases manga art published by Shueisha

Artworks of popular manga One Piece and Bleach can be seen and purchased here from November 24, 2023 to February 29, 2024

The underground Azabudai Hills Market - scheduled to open in late January 2024 - additionally offers shoppers quality groceries from trusted brands. Visitors would be able purchase quality Japanese groceries from notable specialty shops brought together from all across Japan.

Finally, opening in February 2024 is the Janu Tokyo, a sister brand of the Aman hotel group with a focus on wellness travel. Janu Tokyo is the brand's first flagship hotel in the world offering approximately 120 rooms, offering an oasis of peace in the bustling city.