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Oakwood Premier Tokyo
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National Diet
The National Diet Building was constructed between 1920 and 1936 and is where both houses of the National Diet of Japan meet. The House of Representative sessions take place in the left-wing, while the House of Councillors meets in the right-wing. Interestingly, the Diet Building is constructed out of Japanese-made materials, save for the stained glass, door locks, and pneumatic tube system.
Notice
English tours of this attraction are canceled until further notice, as part of a nationwide drive to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19 disease). Japanese-language tours resumed on June 17th, 2020.
Plans for the Diet Building began as early as 1880, however, thanks to design disputes, the fall of the Ito government, and two separate fires (destroying the first building in 1891 and the second in 1925) they were postponed. It wasn’t until 1918 when a public design competition sponsored by the Finance Ministry that the design by Watanabe Fukuzo won and a final image for the building was created.
Tour of the House of Representatives
Free English tours are available of the National Diet, for non-Japanese visitors. Each session takes about 60 minutes, with slots limited and advance email reservation required. They take place every weekday afternoon (3pm, or 2pm on Mondays).
Tour of the House of Councillors
A free 60-minute tour can be joined without prior reservation, during visiting hours. A Diet guard will escort visitors through the House of Councillors, taking in highlights such as the Public Gallery, Emperor's Room and Front Courtyard.
Overview
Address
1 Chome-7-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0014 (Map) (Directions)Hours
Closed todayOpening Hours
Monday
8:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
8:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
8:00 - 17:00
Thursday
8:00 - 17:00
Friday
8:00 - 17:00
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Holidays
Closed
Phone Number
03-5521-7445Website
Highlights
Central Hall
Reaching up the 6th floor, the stained-glass ceiling is one of its main features. Also of note are the four oil paintings of Japan’s four seasons painted not by famous artists, but by Japanese art students. In each of the four corners, there are statues of Itagaki Taisuke, Okuma Shigenobu, Ito Hirobumi, and one empty pedestal for display of a pine bonsai on the first day of the Diet session.
Central Tower
This was the tallest building in Japan until 1964 at 65.45 meters. The pyramid-shaped dome houses a spiral staircase that leads all the way up to the observatory on the top floor of the tower. Sadly, the observatory and hall are closed today and only the building manager has access.
Gokyusho
The Gokyusho was supposedly allotted 10% of the original Diet Building’s budget. It makes up the private chambers for the Emperor to rest during his visits to the Diet. It’s not difficult to see why it might have been so expensive with its luxurious interior.
Public Gallery
Above the back end of the Chambers of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors is the public gallery. To visit the public gallery, guests must present their admission ticket and maintain chairman-mandated statues.
General Amenities
- Information Counter
- Restroom
Internet
- Free Wi-Fi
Access
The National Diet Building is a 5-minute walk from Kokkaigijido-mae Station on the Marunouchi and Chiyoda lines, or Nagatacho Station on the Yurakucho, Hanzomon, and Nanboku lines.
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National Diet
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