Inspiring Architecture: Roppongi Hills, Tokyo

There’s no shortage of inspiring architecture around the world — particularly in ultra-metropolitan areas. But every once in a while on our travels we encounter truly stunning enclaves full of building genius that stop us in our tracks. Roppongi Hills has been called a “city within a city” for good reason; nestled squarely into in the Roppongi district of Minato, Tokyo, the urban reserve boasts everything from spas, restaurants, museums and theaters to learning institutions, green space and a central plaza. Built by Minoru Mori in 2003, the area is home to some rather breathtaking architecture — namely, the 54-story Mori Tower, which houses brands like Google, Chevron, Lenovo, Goldman Sachs, Time Inc and Ferrari Japan. With inhabitants like that, it’s no surprise that the living quarters within the area are world-class, overlooking Tokyo Tower (made famous in Western culture by its prominence in King Kong, Mothra and Godzilla lore) from their perches high in the sky. Reaching heavenward with bold, sometimes even brash linear statements, Roppongi Hills looks and feels like the future, and probably for good reason. For architecture enthusiasts, it’s a veritable playground of delights.