Aoyama-Kitamachi Apartments, Public housing complex in Minato, Japan
The Aoyama-Kitamachi Apartments are a public housing complex in the Omotesando district of Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The complex is made up of several four- to five-story buildings without elevators, arranged around shared courtyards and walkways.
The complex was built in the late 1950s and 1960s, when Japan was experiencing rapid population growth in its cities after World War Two. Danchi estates like this one were a government response to the urgent need for affordable housing in Tokyo at that time.
The complex sits in the middle of Omotesando, one of Tokyo's most fashionable districts, which creates a strong contrast with its plain everyday character. Walking through the paths between the buildings, you can see bicycles, small gardens, and laundry lines that speak of a very different city life from the nearby boutiques.
Since many units are currently empty, it is worth checking in advance which parts of the complex are open to visitors. The buildings are all connected by open outdoor walkways, so the site is easy to explore on foot.
Although the complex sits in the middle of Tokyo, the land belongs to the Japanese government, which is why it has never been redeveloped in one of the world's most expensive neighborhoods. The empty buildings have attracted film crews and photographers looking for an authentic glimpse of post-war Tokyo.
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