Landmark & Tower · Nagatacho

National Diet Building 国会議事堂

Japan's granite parliament with its stepped-pyramid central tower, completed in 1936; a free weekday tour of the House of Councillors takes you into the debating chamber, the Emperor's Room and the central hall.

About

Seventeen years in the making and finished in 1936, the Diet Building was assembled almost entirely from Japanese materials: granite from across the country, domestic marble and woods, with only the stained glass, door locks and mail chutes imported. Its 65 m central tower, crowned with a stepped pyramid, was the tallest building in Japan when it opened. The House of Representatives occupies one wing and the House of Councillors the other, and the Councillors run free guided tours on weekdays without reservation: you see the public gallery overlooking the plenary chamber, the gold-and-lacquer Emperor's Room, the soaring central hall with bronze statues of three founders of parliamentary politics and a fourth empty pedestal, and the front courtyard. The House of Representatives also runs tours, including in English by e-mail reservation. Even from outside, the symmetrical facade at the end of the long approach from Sakuradamon is one of Tokyo's most recognisable sights.

Highlights

• Stepped-pyramid central tower, 65 m tall
• Central hall with three statues and the famous empty fourth pedestal
• Public gallery overlooking the House of Councillors plenary chamber
• Lacquer, gold and silk Emperor's Room
• Granite and marble sourced from across Japan

Tips

• The House of Councillors tour reception is beside the Councillors' Annex; go after 9:00 to avoid school groups. Tours are in Japanese with an English pamphlet.
• For an English tour, e-mail the House of Representatives in advance; slots are limited.
• No visitors are admitted from an hour before a plenary sitting until it ends, so check the Diet calendar.
• The best exterior photo is from the main approach in front of the main gate, with the tower centred.
• The Parliamentary Museum (Kensei Kinenkan) nearby is a free bonus when open.

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

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