Tokyo Marunouchi: A Nighttime Visit to the Meiji Seimei Kan

🏛️ Meiji Seimei Kan
💞 Recommended Reasons: Designated as an Important Cultural Property, the Meiji Seimei Kan offers a glimpse into the dignified atmosphere of a life insurance company workplace from its era. Its intricate yet understated design exudes a calm ambiance distinct from chapels or palaces, making it an excellent destination for children's summer educational trips, especially when paired with a visit to the Seikado Bunko Art Museum.
💞 Recommended Reasons: Admission is free.
■ Opening Hours
9:30 AM – 7:00 PM (Last admission at 6:30 PM)
■ Reception Location
2nd Floor of Meiji Seimei Kan (Please use the west elevator.)
📍 Address: 2 Chome-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005
💞 Recommended Reasons:
The Meiji Seimei Kan was completed in March 1934 (Showa 9) after 3 years and 7 months of construction. It was designed by Shinichiro Okada, a prominent professor at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts) and a leading figure in the architectural community at the time. The building is highly regarded as a masterpiece of classical architecture and is considered a representative structure that contributed to the development of modern Western-style architecture in Japan.

From September 12, 1945, to July 18, 1956, the building was requisitioned as the headquarters of the U.S. Far East Air Forces. During this period, until 1952, the second-floor conference room served as the venue for the Allied Council for Japan, an advisory body to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers. General MacArthur himself attended several meetings held in this room.

On May 29, 1997, the building was designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Council for Cultural Affairs, becoming the first Showa-era structure to receive this recognition.

🏛️ Seikado Bunko Art Museum
🗓️ Travel Tip: It is recommended to visit the Seikado Bunko Art Museum on a separate day from the Meiji Seimei Kan.
📍 Address: 2-23-1 Okamoto, Setagaya City, Tokyo 157-0076
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Nighttime openings available; please check the exhibition page for details.)
* Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.
Closed: Mondays (open on public holidays, closed the following weekday), during exhibition changes, year-end, and New Year holidays.
Admission Fees:
- General: ¥1,500
- University, vocational school, and high school students: ¥1,000
- Junior high school students and younger: Free
- Visitors with a disability certificate: ¥700 (One accompanying person: Free)

The collection of Yanosuke Iwasaki spans a wide range of fields, including paintings, sculptures, calligraphy, lacquerware, tea utensils, and swords. In contrast, Koyata Iwasaki's collection is notable for its systematic focus on Chinese ceramics. Additionally, the museum houses numerous works by artists contemporary to Yanosuke and Koyata from the Meiji to early Showa periods.