Tokyo Station’s Domed Ceilings: A Photographer’s Guide
The domed ceilings of Tokyo Station sweep you back to an era of elegance and resilience. At first glance, they seem to be treasures of old-world grandeur, perfectly preserved for over a century. But their true story is even more compelling. These magnificent creations aren’t survivors, but glorious revivals.
Having been destroyed by war and rebuilt without their original flourish, the station’s iconic ceilings were resurrected in 2012 to their pre-war design. They are a testament not only to timeless architecture but to a city’s dedication to reclaiming its history. So grab your wide-angle lens, because these beauties have a story to tell.
Several hundred million people use this station every year. How many have never looked up as they walked through the Marunouchi North and South gates? They are missing out on a great Tokyo photo spot. But to be honest, when I went there for the first time, I didn’t see them either.
A brief history of Tokyo Station’s ceilings
- Construction began and finished in 1914. Tatsuno Kingo, a prominent Japanese architect (and student of Josiah Conder), was responsible for the design. He used steel framing and red brick to create a building reminiscent of those in Europe.
- Only two gates were on the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station when it opened. The North was the exit, and the South was the entrance. They gave a good view of the Imperial Palace’s walls.
- The sturdy steel framing, largely imported from England, enabled the structure to survive the devastating 1923 Great Kantō earthquake.
- WW2 bombings caused extensive damage. They were rebuilt at the end of the conflict but with a different design. Simple roofs replaced the domes.
- In 2007, reconstruction began and was completed in 2012. The facade of the building was restored. Most importantly, the domes and their beautiful ceilings returned!
Where to find the Tokyo Station domed ceilings
The ceilings are above the Marunouchi north and south gates. They are about two hundred and twenty meters apart. Ignore the Marunouchi Central Exit. Don’t enter the station.
If you arrive at Tokyo Station by train, they are easy to find. Everything is well-marked, so keep your eyes open and follow the signs. If you’re outside, walk around the building until you are on the west side.
Architectural details to look for
The ceilings are gorgeous and (usually) well-lit. So, even though they are high, you can see details. What is there exactly?
There are eight eagles, looking to the left, are in the octagon-shaped ceiling spaces, like the original. Under them are eight of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac.
The mystery of the missing zodiac animals
- So why only eight of the twelve? The missing animals are the Rat, Rabbit, Horse, and Rooster and represent the cardinal directions (North, East, South, West). They were omitted from the octagonal design.
- The eight animals you can see are those associated with the intermediate directions. They are the Ox (north-northeast), Tiger (east-northeast), dragon (east-southeast), snake (south-southeast), monkey (west-southwest), dog (west-northwest), and boar (north-northwest).
- Another fascinating detail from the reconstruction is the incorporation of original relief work found within the old domes. After being reinforced with advanced chemical compounds, these historical fragments were integrated, with great results.
Photography tips
- The key to a great shot of the domes is symmetry. For the best results, stand directly under the center of the ceiling and point your camera straight up. Use gridlines in its viewfinder or on the screen to line up the architectural elements perfectly.
- These ceilings are perfect subjects for a rainy day in Tokyo. If the weather has you stuck indoors, this is a beautiful and accessible photo opportunity.
- The use of tripods for photos inside Tokyo Station is forbidden.
Recommended lenses for Tokyo Station
Wide angles and zooms have their uses. The ceilings are wide and my Fujifilm 10-24 just fit them in. To focus on small details like the animals of the Zodiac, you need something long. I used the Fujifilm 100-400 mm for these photos, but it was a little overkill! A (crop sensor) 55-200 mm should be enough.
Visitor information: Location, access, costs, & hours
- Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005
- Opening hours: Daily from 5:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. (open during train operating hours)
- Entry fees: None
- To help plan your visit, consult the Tokyo Station City website.
- Here is the station on Google Maps:
More photo spots near Tokyo Station
- Hibiya Park
- Imperial Palace
- Kite Museum
- Tokyo International Forum
Are the domed ceilings worth it?
Tokyo Station is often the first stop for visitors, but it shouldn’t just be a place to catch a train. Between the zodiac animals and the symmetrical geometry of the domes, it is a great subject for architectural photography in the city. So, pack your wide-angle and your telephoto lens, keep your gridlines on, and make sure to visit both the North and South gates to get the full experience. Once you’ve filled your memory card, the historic Imperial Palace is a short walk away to continue your Tokyo photo tour.
Photography gear for this shoot
- Camera: Fujifilm X-T3
- Lenses:
- Fujifilm XF10-24mmF4 R OIS WR
- Fujifilm XF100-400mm F4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR
