The Keio Line principally connects Shinjuku to the western side of Tokyo with seven different lines running through to the likes of suburban city Hachiōji and the mountainous area at Takaosanguchi. All of it’s stations actually lie within the boundaries of Tokyo and, thanks to regular free tickets, Tokyo Fox has dug deep to come up with a few places worthy of visit beyond perennial favourites like Mount Takao and Tama Zoo……

#4 – Earth Tech Char Sub-One @ 2-30-4 Uehara, Shibuya-Ku.

There’s far more to this structure than meets the eye as the butterfly wings you see at street level are only a small part of the full picture. Steps actually lead down deep beneath this building, constructed in 1991, for about 20 metres (four floors deep) which was no doubt excavated at great cost. Click here to see some pictures of the underground floors courtesy of the official Shin Takamatsu Architect and Associates Co. Ltd website.

Shin Takamatsu is a leading Japanese architect famed for his futuristic looking architecture and this is one such example. He has been responsible for dozens and dozens of buildings around Japan as well as a few others in Taiwan, China and Germany. 

This architecture has been constructed mostly underground and I believe it’s used as an art space. The butterfly wings are skylights which allows light to enter the building though I’m not too sure how effective and deep it can actually go.

This place is located in a quiet residential area of Shibuya ward. It is just over ten minutes walk from Komabatodai-Mae Station which is just two stops from Shibuya.

Click here to read ‘Hidden Treasures Along The Keio Line #1 – Nakayasu Hotel’ 

Click here to read ‘Hidden Treasures Along The Keio Line #2 – Mount Arigata’ 

Click here to read ‘Hidden Treasures Along The Keio Line #3 – Toko-Ji Temple’