Marriott Miyako’s lobby on the 19th Floor, in Osaka’s 60-story Abeno Harukas.
The evolution of high-rise living in Japan has transformed the urban skyline into a canvas of architectural innovation. Rather than simple living space, today’s luxury residences blend world-class amenities with privacy and connections to nature. From soaring Tokyo towers to expansive regional landmarks, we want to share sterling examples of premier real estate that exhibit these hallmarks of modern urban living today.
Iconic Luxury Landmarks in Nagoya, Fukuoka and Osaka
Midland Square in Nagoya is a luxury mall housed within a 47-story mixed-use tower directly linked to the train station. It offers a comprehensive luxury experience:
- High-End Retail: World-renowned luxury brands and exclusive jewelry shops dominate the commercial space.
- Diverse Dining: A strictly Japanese culinary lineup featuring sushi, tempura, unagi, Wagyu beef, sukiyaki and ramen.
- Urban Cinema Complex: Spanning the fourth and fifth floors, it boasts 14 screens and 2,205 soft-leather seats, featuring Dolby Cinema (Screen 5) and Dolby Atmos (Screens 9 and 10).
- An automotive Showroom: Up-close access to the latest Toyota and Lexus models from the world’s top-selling car brand.
- Sky-High Views: The Sky Promenade—the highest observation deck in the Tokai region—pairs breathtaking cityscapes with fine dining at the Sky Restaurants on the 41st and 42nd floors.
Fukuoka Tower bills itself as the place “Where the sky meets the sea”; and its illuminations are inspired by “the waves and wind of Momochihama.” The Guinness World Records, on Jan. 22, recognized the radio tower and its observation deck as holding the record for lit-up days. The pixel animation illuminations had been on display for 3,935 consecutive days. Fukuoka Tower had converted all its lighting to LED illuminations back in 2014. Currently, there are 23 different video designs, including cherry blossoms in spring, goldfish in summer, moon viewing in autumn and Christmas in winter.
Abeno Harukas — Japan’s second-tallest building — takes its name from an archaic word meaning “to make cheerful and clear.” At 300 meters above ground, the observation deck offers a panoramic view of Osaka that “truly creates a cheerful feeling.” The owners liken the diverse facilities to “a multilevel city that transmits the future,” featuring:
- 58th floor: Sky Garden 300, offering a diverse menu of local ingredients with day-to-night sky views.
- 38th–57th & 19th–20th floors: The 360-room Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel.
- 17th–36th floors: Premium office spaces.
- 16th floor: A dedicated art museum.
- 12th–14th floors: 44 distinct restaurant and dining options.
- Basement–14th floors: The expansive Kintetsu Main Store.
Redefining the Tokyo Skyline: Developments for 2024–2028
Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower—Japan’s tallest building—aims to be conceived as a “modern urban village,” surrounded by greenery and, like a plaza, connecting people. The concept of “Green & Wellness” is the thread weaving through the diverse choices of dining, cultural and artistic themed shops and beauty stores. The Azabudai Hills Market offers one-stop shopping for fresh meat, fish, produce, general food items, desserts, as well as flowers and other decorative ideas to “brighten up the dining room table.” For busy shoppers, there are top-quality ready-made meals.
A recent development has been Janu, the sister brand of renowned hospitality brand Aman, opening their first hotel in Japan and globally (March 2024), opposite the central plaza. Aman complements the residential properties in the complex already—notably Aman Residences at the top of the tower. These accommodations are complemented by Azabudai Hills Residence—from spacious and open-living spaces to serviced apartments.
Scheduled for completion in March 2028, The Torch Tower near Tokyo Station will claim top honors as Japan’s tallest building at 390 meters and 63 stories. Designed by Mitsubishi Jisho Design Sekkei to “illuminate Japan and the world,” it introduces residential facilities to the historically commercial Otemachi, Marunouchi and Yurakucho districts:
- The Crown: Luxury residences, the internationally acclaimed Dorchester Collection hotel and a world-class observation facility.
- The Mid-Levels: A sky lobby designed for workers to relax and unwind while taking in panoramic views of the capital.
- The Base: A large-scale commercial facility and a 2,000-seat hall, seamlessly connected by an aerial walkway.
Pinnacles of Modern Living: Tokyo’s Premier High-Rises
Marq Omotesando One offers a new vision of Tokyo and aims to be “The Pinnacle of Modern Living.” In the heart of the capital city’s most stylish neighborhood, the luxury residence is “unlike any seen before in Japan.” Developed by internationally renowned EQT Real Estate, world-class architects have taken a bold new approach, “in stark contrast to conventional residential buildings in Japan.” They want you to enjoy the benefits of exclusive five-star hospitality, with all your everyday needs and security taken care of by their 24/7 concierge and team of porters, valets and security personnel.
The 14 exclusive contemporary residences are designed for expansive living, both inside and out.
Toranomon Hills Residential Tower, completed in Jan. 2022, sits in Tokyo’s global business center. Featuring interiors by world-renowned designer Tony Chi, the residences eschew “indulgent decorativeness” for beautifully “refined simplicity.”
Floor Plans:
- Standard Suites: 12th through 42nd floors.
- Sky Suites: 43rd through 54th floors.
Exclusive Amenities:
- In-Home Dining & Catering: Residents can order food delivery from Toranomon Hills Kitchen or cater a private party in the Guest House Living/Dining Room.
- The Hills Spa: Access to a premium pool, gym and spa treatments to support a healthy lifestyle.
- The Sky Lounge: Coffee, soft drinks and snacks reserved exclusively for Sky Suite residents and their guests.
Park Court Aoyama The Tower, built in March 2018, uses glass in the interior and exterior of its resplendent design, with all rooms facing the windows. The bilingual-speaking concierge and the swimming pool on the top floor, along with other amenities, make your life in Japan all the more comfortable. The residences occupy seven floors of the 26-story building and provide views with a southern orientation.
Low-Rise Luxury: Integrating Nature and Architecture
The Kita lies at the heart of Tokyo, on the edge of Yoyogi-koen. The mode of living is luxurious, defined by a strong connection to nature, offering an oasis of calm. Designed by Kengo Kuma, the architect of the National Olympic Stadium, the façade is composed of a filigree of specially treated metal louvers that reflect the light throughout the day. There are generous terraces and views in the direction of the verdant canopy of the nearby park. The interior design suggests simplicity and restraint, making the most use of the challenging tight site. You are forever reminded of the surrounding nature and city. A long, simple pool sits atop the roof—an elemental strip of water lofted above the neighborhood.
Prestige Residence Shirokane Chojamaru lies in a high-class residential area, at the midpoint of Meguro, Ebisu and Shirokane. The luxury designer apartment comprises only seven units, each with impressively spacious room plans. The range of unit types accommodates various lifestyles, together with beautifully designed interior arrangements and luxurious amenities. The three-story structure was completed in May 2018.
The Scape, also designed by Kengo Kuma, boasts balconies composed of delicate stainless-steel screens, giving them a gentle, soft quality that feels closer to an interior than a conventional exterior space. The rooftop borrows greenery from the adjacent park, similarly treats planting as a carpet laid across the deck. Interestingly, the delicacy of small accessories and furniture to the four-story building as a whole, involved working together with the client who runs a shop specializing in these items.
Up and down the Japanese archipelago, the concept of luxury has evolved far beyond simple square footage. Today’s premier Japanese residences — whether nestled in the quiet, upscale enclaves of Meguro and Shirokane, or soaring above the business districts of Marunouchi and Toranomon — are built around a holistic lifestyle.
They strike the perfect balance between the energy of a bustling metropolis and the serene privacy of an exclusive retreat. For those looking to experience the pinnacle of modern urban living in Japan, these architectural landmarks offer far more than just a view; they offer a space where you belong.
