Roppongi: Tokyo’s New Art District

Tokyo is one of the world’s leading centers for contemporary art. On past visits, I was frustrated because my favorite galleries were scattered across this vast city. To see them all in one trip was not realistic. This time, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the art scene has migrated and that many galleries are now opening branches near the famous museums in the central Roppongi district.

The 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT museum in Roppongi was the creation of architect Tadao Ando and fashion designer Issey Miyake. Located within a futuristic black concrete structure, it is a display space for achievements in the fields of architecture, technology and design. I especially enjoy this gallery because it offers exceptionally informative lectures and workshops in its multi-use café and lounge.

Across the street, the Suntory Museum of Art, owned by the famous whiskey distiller Suntory, primarily exhibits works focusing on “Art in Life,” or classical arts and crafts such as lacquerware, glass and ceramics. The museum’s subtly lit rooms were designed with traditional materials including pale wood and washi paper, and are in sharp contrast to the surrounding mixed-use Tokyo Midtown Galleria mall. A tearoom tucked in back is not to be missed.

The Mori Art Museum is located on the 52nd and 53rd floors of the 780-foot Mori Tower. It has no permanent collection, but stages temporary exhibitions by leading contemporary artists such as Bill Viola and Ai Weiwei. Designed by Richard Gluckman, who worked on the expansion of the Whitney Museum in Manhattan, the space also houses a café and a bar. When you’re finished touring the galleries, head to the observation deck on the floor below for 360-degree views. (The director of the museum, Fumio Nanjo, is the curatorial director for the inaugural Honolulu Biennial in spring 2017.)

Nearby, the four-story multi-use Piramide Building now hosts four leading galleries on its upper floors. For 20 years, Ota Fine Arts has been a pioneer of Japanese contemporary art, presenting sound and video, sculpture and installations. Taka Ishii focuses on Japanese filmmakers and photographers. Zen Foto concentrates on modern Chinese photography. Finally, Wako Works of Art relocated to Roppongi from its original home in Hatsudai in 2011. The gallery specializes in contemporary European art and represents luminaries such as Gerhard Richter and Wolfgang Tillmans.