My Favorite Building is Cocooned
What is my favorite building in Tokyo? Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower gets my vote. It is not far from JR Shinjuku Station. Actually, it is across the road. You can find it nestled among the other skyscrapers. For architectural photography it is fantastic. Look at its shape. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
In Shinjuku, it is very much one-of-a-kind. Mode Gakuen is a school. It contains three: Tokyo Mode Gakuen (for fashion), HAL Tokyo (a technology and design college), and Shuto Ikō (a medical college). At fifty stories high, it must be one of the biggest schools in the world.
This skyscraper is unique in Shinjuku. Nothing near it is similar in appearance. Well, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is close. I admit that. But, most of the others in the area are from an earlier generation. Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower is different.
The tower lives up to its name. White aluminum bands crisscross it. It looks like a huge creature weaved this gigantic cocoon. Could a monster like Mothra rest inside? She has visited Tokyo in several Godzilla movies, I believe.
The skyscraper looks incredible when clouds are above it. Well, as long as they are cirrus or cumulonimbus. Sunset is also great. You will be in for some magic if you can get both together. Try observing it from the windows of the Odakyu Department Store.
I’m still waiting for the perfect day to photograph the building. But getting the right conditions is hard. I have many places to go for articles, and I can’t devote myself to this one project. It will get done one day, though. And I often walk through the area to keep an eye on things.
One last thing. More buildings are going up in Shinjuku recently. Hopefully, we will see some more exciting architecture in the Nishi-Shinjuku soon.
Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower is both modern and futuristic. No wonder it is my favorite building in Tokyo. Many other people love it too.
Where is Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower?
It’s in Shinjuku, a short walk from the station. Leave via the west exit.
Address: Nishi-Shinjuku 1-7-3, Shinjuku City, Tokyo.
Here it is on a Google Map:
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
More of my favorite buildings:
