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What Will Happen to Nakano Sunplaza? The Uncertain Future of a Tokyo Landmark



Nakano Sunplaza, a landmark building in Tokyo’s Nakano district, has stood as a symbol of the area since its opening in 1973. For over 50 years, it has served as a beloved multi-purpose facility, featuring a concert hall, hotel, restaurants, and a wedding venue. But now, its future is hanging in the balance.

■ Nakano: Tokyo’s Hub for Hobbyists

Just minutes from Shinjuku by train, Nakano is a highly accessible and popular neighborhood. It's best known for Nakano Broadway, a shopping complex packed with stores dedicated to manga, anime figures, vintage cameras, watches, and all manner of niche collectibles. The area is also known for its great food and is a favorite among foreign tourists and locals alike.



■ A Unique Shape and Cultural Heartbeat

When it opened, Nakano Sunplaza's distinctive triangular design made it stand out in a city that had few tall buildings at the time. It was envisioned as a local landmark—and it became exactly that. The upper-floor restaurants offered spectacular views, and the building's dramatic silhouette became iconic.

At its heart was the 2,222-seat concert hall, which hosted countless live performances across genres. Over the years, it became a cultural touchstone for fans of idol pop, anime songs, and voice actors. It even earned a reputation as something of a “sacred venue” for fans of these scenes.

■ A Complicated Road to Redevelopment

The push for redevelopment began due to several factors: aging infrastructure, seismic safety concerns, and changes in ownership. Here’s a brief timeline:

  • 2002: Ownership transferred from the Ministry of Health to a public-private third-sector entity involving Nakano Ward.

  • 2008: Nakano Ward acquired full ownership and began formal redevelopment planning.

  • 2012: A structural survey revealed that the building failed to meet modern earthquake safety standards.

  • Early 2020s: Plans were announced for a massive new complex—Nakano Sunplaza City (tentative name)—featuring a 62-story, 262-meter skyscraper.

  • 2024: Demolition was scheduled to begin, but rising construction costs (from ¥181 billion to an estimated ¥350 billion) forced the project to halt.

  • Late 2024–2025: New proposals, including twin tower designs and more residential space, were floated but rejected.

  • March 2025: Nakano Ward officially announced that it would not approve the revised plans, effectively resetting the entire redevelopment process.

■ A Farewell Marked by City Pop Nostalgia

On July 2, 2023, Nakano Sunplaza hosted its final concert: a performance by Tatsuro Yamashita, a legend of Japanese city pop. It was a fitting, poetic farewell that reflected the building’s deep cultural roots.

■ A Symbol of Urban Dilemmas

Many local residents opposed demolition, calling for preservation of the building's unique architecture and cultural legacy. Yet rising material costs, complex negotiations with developers, and the lack of a clear path forward have left the building in limbo. The originally planned completion by 2029 is now unlikely.

For now, the iconic building stands unused—caught between the past and an uncertain future.

What’s clear is that leaving it in this half-finished state benefits no one. Residents, fans, and city planners are all watching anxiously to see what comes next. Nakano Sunplaza has become more than a redevelopment project—it’s now a test case in how Tokyo handles the delicate balance of nostalgia, necessity, and future growth.



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