Meiji Seimei Kan

Meiji Seimei Kan

Meiji Seimei Kan (明治生命館) is a building in Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan. It was designed by Shinichiro Okada and completed in March 1934. During the Shōwa period, its metal fittings were requisitioned by the government of Japan. It survived the bombing of Tokyo during World War II, but was taken over by the General Headquarters / Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (GHQ/SCAP) after the war. It was returned to the government of Japan in 1956. In 1997, this building was designated a National Important Cultural Property. It was the first building erected in the Showa period to receive this honour. ^[1]

New foreign ambassadors are taken by horse and carriage from Tokyo Station to Tokyo Imperial Palace to present their letters of credence to the Emperor of Japan. When Tokyo Station was being renovated, the starting point of this journey was changed to Meiji Seimei Kan.

The building is a concrete encased steel beam structure with a height of 31 m and an area of 3,856 m². It sits on a property of 11,347 m². It has 8 floors above ground and 2 below. The first and second floor, which contain conference rooms, dining rooms, offices, and waiting rooms, are open to the public for touring. There are detailed digital displays in English and Japanese in many of the rooms.

Notes

Coordinates: 35°40′44.27″N 139°45′41.29″E / 35.6789639°N 139.7614694°E / 35.6789639; 139.7614694