Prime Minister's Official Residence, Official residence in Nagatachō, Japan
The official residence in Nagatachō rises five floors above ground with one basement level, totaling around 25,000 square meters. The building combines modern administrative spaces with reception areas and a crisis center inside.
The current building opened in 2002, replacing the previous residence that had served for 73 years. The new structure was designed to meet growing demands for security and diplomatic functions.
The name Kantei refers to the residence and is often used in daily conversation as shorthand for the government itself. Visitors can observe from outside how wood and stone combine in ways that recall traditional building methods.
The grounds are not open to the public, but the exterior can be viewed from surrounding streets. The complex sits in the government district, where security measures restrict access.
Bamboo grows beside granite in the inner courtyard, a design element meant to illustrate the relationship between growth and permanence. This arrangement echoes similar compositions found in several Japanese gardens.
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