A large-scale redevelopment project, "Yurakucho Station Area Urban Development," is underway in the area around Yurakucho Station in central Tokyo. The target area, covering approximately 3.2 hectares, includes the Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan and Tokyo Innovation Base (former Yurakucho Infos) located on the west side of JR Yurakucho Station, and a redevelopment preparatory association was established in June 2023 by the landowners concerned. This article provides an overview of the project and the parties involved, as well as updates on the urban design direction, use mix, pedestrian space and landscape considerations, relationship with government policies, and future schedule.
The Yurakucho Station Area Urban Development Plan is a large-scale redevelopment project covering an area of approximately 3.2 hectares on the west side of Yurakucho Station. For many years, the Yurakucho Station Area has been facing issues such as the lack of a station plaza, stagnation in the renewal of old buildings, and a lack of circulation due to the fragmentation of the pedestrian network. This plan aims to resolve these issues by promoting urban development through public-private partnership utilizing the former Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building site and other metropolitan-owned land to strengthen the area's functions as a hub for international business and urban tourism. Specifically, the main pillars of the project are the enhancement of MICE functions (international conferences, etc.), the improvement of the plaza in front of the station, and the expansion of the pedestrian network by utilizing the upper space of the "Tokyo Expressway (KK Line)," as described below.
In March 2022, the parties concerned agreed to begin discussions on this redevelopment project, and in June 2023, the Urban Redevelopment Preparatory Association was officially established. At present (as of spring 2025), the scale and specific plans for the redevelopment building have not been announced, and the project is expected to move into full-scale commercialization after an urban planning decision is made and a redevelopment association is established. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 or later, with completion around 2030. If realized, the streetscape in front of Yurakucho Station will change dramatically over the next 10 years.
There are five landowners involved in the redevelopment project, including the private sector and the government. Specifically, they are Tokyo Expressway Company (KK Line operator), which owns the land above the road; Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan Co. The five parties formed an urban redevelopment preparatory association in June 2023, and discussions are currently underway to put the project plan into practice. JR East and Tokyo Metro are also expected to cooperate in terms of station improvement and access enhancement. In particular, a new station plaza is planned to be constructed at the west exit of JR Yurakucho Station, and the convenience of the area will be improved in cooperation with railroad operators. On the administrative side, in addition to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Chiyoda Ward is also supporting this plan and is involved in urban planning coordination and local coordination.
The concept of this project is to create an urban function and liveliness suitable for an international business center, with the keywords of "Encounter, Exchange, and Communication". The future vision for the Yurakucho area as a whole emphasizes the creation of a place where people can meet and interact with each other, and the formation of a base for business innovation. In terms of urban design, the goal is to realize "a spatial design that allows people to experience Yurakucho" and "a multilayered, people-centered transportation design," with a pedestrian-friendly streetscape and a multilayered traffic flow plan to enhance circulation. For example, the project aims to create a space where everyone can stay and move comfortably by ensuring circulation at the ground, underground, and deck levels. In addition, by taking advantage of the proximity to the Tokyo International Forum and other cultural facilities in the area, a sophisticated landscape that integrates culture and art with business is expected to be created. The design concept also takes into consideration disaster prevention and environmental aspects, and contributes to enhancing the city's credibility and competitiveness as an international city through the development of a disaster-resistant and sustainable urban infrastructure.
Although the use of the redeveloped facility has not yet been officially announced, it is expected to be a high-rise office complex, given its prime location in the heart of the city. Although the specific scale has not yet been determined, it is likely to be a large-scale project with a total floor area of several hundred thousand square meters, and high-grade office floors equipped with the latest facilities are expected to be the main focus of the project. In addition, commercial facilities are expected to be located on the lower floors, taking advantage of the location in front of the station to enhance commercial and service functions. The Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan currently houses many restaurants and shops, and the new building will also have a shopping zone and restaurant district that will support the bustle of the area.
The plan also aims to strengthen the MICE function, and the introduction of facilities that can accommodate international conferences and exhibitions, such as a conference hall and event space, is also being considered. The plan also calls for the formation of a center for innovation creation through public-private partnerships, and may include startup support facilities, exchange lounges, and other spaces for the development of new industries. Although there is no official mention of a hotel or lodging function, there is room to consider adding a luxury hotel or serviced apartments in the future if the area is to be used as an international business hub with overseas visitors in mind. Residential use is not expected to be included in the plan, as the area is primarily a business district. However, the redevelopment building as a whole will be a multi-purpose complex, and with business and commercial activities at its core, it is expected to provide a variety of urban functions that will allow everyone to spend their time comfortably.
Significant enhancement of the pedestrian network is one of the highlights of this plan. First, a new station plaza will be constructed in front of the west exit of JR Yurakucho Station in conjunction with the redevelopment, creating a safe and comfortable gathering space for pedestrians. The redevelopment is expected to create a spacious pedestrian plaza and porte-cochere, which is currently crowded due to the lack of an adequate plaza in front of the station. In addition, plans are underway to extend the underground passageway. There are plans to connect and extend the underground passage from the east exit of Yurakucho Station (toward the Tokyo International Forum) to the underground plaza at the west exit, which is expected to dramatically improve the east-west circulation across the station. This will make it easier to cross the station and move in various directions even in rainy weather, and will also help create a lively underground space.
Furthermore, this project will be linked to the utilization of the overhead portion of the Tokyo Expressway (commonly known as the KK Line). The KK Line, an aging elevated roadway, will be closed to vehicular traffic in 2025, and will be rehabilitated as the "Tokyo Sky Corridor (tentative name)," a lush pedestrian deck similar to the High Line in New York City. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has already formulated this policy in March 2021, and a project to renovate approximately 2 km of elevated space into a pedestrian-oriented public space is underway. The Yurakucho Station area will be connected to the "Aerial Corridor," which will be directly connected to the redeveloped building by a deck. The Aerial Corridor will include a garden, green space, and observation deck, and will become a new sightseeing spot and recreational space in the Yurakucho area. The redevelopment plan calls for a pedestrian deck and terrace on the building side, which will be integrated with the Aerial Corridor to create a lush green flow line.
In terms of landscaping, consideration will be given to the formation of a high-quality, harmonious urban landscape in light of the building's location adjacent to Ginza and Marunouchi. The design of the building is expected to harmonize with its surroundings as part of a cluster of skyscrapers, while at the same time evoking the cultural flavor that is unique to Yurakucho. The low-rise facade will be designed to be open to the city, with greenery and plaza space that will enrich the pedestrian experience. The nightscape is also under consideration to create a safe and attractive street scene, such as by lighting up the streets in a manner befitting an international tourist center.
The redevelopment of the Yurakucho Station area is closely linked to the urban policies of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Chiyoda Ward. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has a policy of strengthening the international competitiveness of the city center and improving the sustainability of the city, and this plan is one of the concrete measures to achieve this goal. According to the Bureau of Urban Development of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Yurakucho area is expected to become a center for international business and urban tourism, and the government and private sector will work together to create an area with high mobility and MICE functions. The project is positioned as an "urban revitalization project" within the framework of the National Strategic Special Zone, and the goal is to obtain specific urban planning approval by the end of FY2023. This will promote development that makes maximum use of private-sector vitality while receiving administrative support measures such as a drastic relaxation of floor-area ratios and tax support.
Chiyoda Ward is also supporting this plan. The Yurakucho Community Development Vision Committee was established under the Otemachi-Marunouchi-Yurakucho District Community Development Committee, and the "Yurakucho Community Development Vision (Future Vision)" was compiled in November 2023. This vision provides a spatial vision of the Yurakucho area 20 years into the future, as well as guidelines for its development. The vision calls for the gradual strengthening of the urban infrastructure based on an appropriate division of roles among multiple districts, and for the entire area to become more attractive and a driving force of the Japanese economy. The redevelopment project around the station is the core of this vision, and is positioned as a "joint contribution project" to enhance the value of the entire area in coordination with other adjacent redevelopment projects (such as the Yurakucho Building and New Yurakucho Building reconstruction project described below). Chiyoda Ward is supporting administrative procedures such as district plan modification and road plan adjustment, and is also collaborating with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the project sponsors from the perspective of creating a pedestrian-friendly community (walkability promotion).
The Yurakucho Station Area Redevelopment Project is expected to be fully underway in the next few years. During the construction period, measures will be taken to minimize the impact on the surrounding area, such as staged construction and the use of temporary decks to secure pedestrians. In the case of redevelopment of multiple buildings, it is conceivable that construction could be completed in phases, but at this point, the most likely scenario is to open the project as a single large complex building.
The new Yurakucho is expected to be completed around 2030, which will coincide with the construction of an aerial walkway along the Tokyo Expressway (scheduled for completion in 2030). After the opening of the new Yurakucho, it is expected to attract international conferences and events, as well as domestic and foreign companies, and become the premier business exchange hub in the city center. In addition, the Ginza and Hibiya areas will be linked to the Yurakucho area to improve circulation, thereby attracting and retaining more customers in the area as a whole.
Other redevelopment projects are already underway in the Yurakucho area. For example, the Yurakucho Building and the New Yurakucho Building, both owned by Mitsubishi Estate and completed in the Showa period, are scheduled for demolition in 2023 due to their age. In addition, the Imperial Theatre and the Kokusai Building (Marunouchi 3-chome) are scheduled to be rebuilt, and both facilities will close in February 2025, marking a major turning point for the surrounding area. The redevelopment of the Yurakucho Station area is expected to take shape in step with the development of the surrounding area. According to an official, "As of the spring of 2025, details of the new facilities have not yet been announced, but they will be revealed as they are studied," and information will be disclosed and construction work will begin in stages toward the late 2020s.
When this redevelopment project is completed, the landscape in front of Yurakucho Station should be dramatically renewed. Buildings such as the Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan and the Yurakucho Marion (Yomiuri Kaikan), both symbols of the Showa period, will be reborn in the new area, and the station area that has stood since the postwar era will be renewed as a landmark for the new era. For business people, the new state-of-the-art office space and MICE facilities in a prime central Tokyo location will provide a venue for the creation of new business opportunities. On the other hand, for local residents and visitors, Yurakucho is expected to evolve into a Yurakucho where everyone can gather and relax by providing a lush green aerial corridor and sophisticated commercial space that are enjoyable to walk through.
As described above, the "Yurakucho Station Area Urban Development" project is being steadily prepared under public-private partnership, and is attracting attention as a project that will significantly change the landscape of central Tokyo in the future. We will continue to monitor the official announcement of the project and the progress of the construction work, and will keep you updated on the developments.