Citizens’ Plaza: An Evolving Oasis Among Skyscrapers

Nestled within the curved facade of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Building and the skywalks to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) No. 1 Building lies the Citizens’ Plaza (Tominn Hiroba). The 3,000 square meter semicircle is a symbolic civic space within Shinjuku’s dense urban landscape.

Inspired by an Iconic European Square

The enclosed layout is based on the 1985 city hall construction plan, which looked to medieval European cities—where administrative buildings, churches, and marketplaces converged around a central plaza—for inspiration. Within Tokyo’s new city hall complex, the plaza was designed as a place for public gathering and interaction, connecting citizens with metropolitan governance, while also serving as a pedestrian route to Shinjuku Central Park.   

Tange Kenzo, the architectural legend and the designer of both the former and current TMG city halls, drew inspiration from iconic civic plazas in Europe. Tange’s concept emphasized the symbolism of the city hall complex by aligning the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, Citizens’ Plaza, TMG No. 1 Building, and Shinjuku Central Park along an urban axis of the Shinjuku subcenter. 

Adding an accent to the plaza are vivid vermilion arches by artist Inoue Bukichi. Titled my sky hole 91 Tokyo, the sculpture offers differing silhouettes depending on the vantage point—from the plaza, the skywalk, or the Tocho-dori Avenue. Looking up from the base of the sculpture, viewers will be overwhelmed by the soaring arch integrating with the 243-meter-high TMG No. 1 Building.

Since the completion of the new city hall in 1991, the plaza has served as a major civic open space, reflecting both Tange’s architectural vision and the metropolitan government’s openness to the public.

More than 35 years later, Citizens’ Plaza is being gradually reimagined. While respecting its role as the symbolic center of Tokyo’s governance, new features are being introduced to adapt the space to changing urban lifestyles.

Positioning within the Nishi-Shinjuku Grand Mall 

Originally developed under the 1960 Shinjuku subcenter plan to relieve congestion in central Tokyo, Nishi Shinjuku was shaped by wide roads, parks, super high-rise buildings, and publicly accessible open spaces. The vast expanse was once the site of the Yodobashi Water Purification Plant. With the relocation of the TMG building from Marunouchi, the area grew into a landmark business district emblematic of Tokyo’s rapid economic growth.

However, fragmented pedestrian routes and different elevations limited the development of integrated public space and seamless vibrancy. As the Shinjuku Station neighborhood undergoes redevelopment, a shift toward a more walkable, people focused environment is needed. Within this evolving context, Citizens’ Plaza plays a key role along the Nishi-Shinjuku Grand Mall linking Shinjuku Station’s west exit with Shinjuku Central Park, functioning not just as a formal forecourt but as a civic node that encourages movement, pause, and everyday interaction across West Shinjuku.

A More Welcoming Urban Space

In 2024, turf was installed in the center of the stone-paved plaza, softening the atmosphere and creating a more approachable environment. On some days, hammocks, tables, and chairs are placed for public use, inviting visitors to sit, relax, and spend time in what has become an urban oasis amid high-rise buildings. Visitors now tend to linger longer than when the plaza was just paved with stone.

From June 2025, the plaza’s stage was opened to the public as a recreational sports space. Visitors can try activities such as pickleball, boccia, and double Dutch free of charge, with equipment provided.

Another Face After Dark

As evening falls, Citizens’ Plaza takes on a different role. The space becomes a venue for nighttime entertainment, with spectacular images cast onto the façade of the TMG No. 1 Building, certified by Guinness World Records™ as the largest architectural projection-mapped display (permanent).

Held almost every evening, these free shows feature a wide range of content, from popular anime and games to traditional ukiyo-e motifs. The program has transformed the plaza into a nighttime destination, further expanding its role as a public space enjoyed by all generations.

Linking Past, Present, and Future

Today, Citizens’ Plaza continues to evolve while honoring its original vision. By blending architectural heritage with new ways of using public space, it serves both as a symbol of metropolitan governance and as a welcoming place in everyday urban life.