21_21 DESIGN SIGHT

Overview

21_21 DESIGN SIGHT is a sleek, primarily underground design museum in Tokyo Midtown, co-founded by fashion designer Issey Miyake and architect Tadao Ando, dedicated to exploring design as it intersects with daily life.

Highlights

• Architecture: Tadao Ando's signature concrete building is almost entirely sunken below ground, with a dramatic folded steel roof inspired by a single sheet of fabric.
• Exhibitions: Thoughtful, meticulously curated thematic exhibitions exploring design concepts — from water to trash to chocolate — always surprising and intellectually stimulating.
• Garden Setting: The museum sits within Tokyo Midtown's beautiful garden, providing a peaceful setting in the heart of Roppongi.

History

Opened in 2007 as part of the Tokyo Midtown complex. Co-founded by Issey Miyake, graphic designer Taku Satoh, and product designer Naoto Fukasawa, with Tadao Ando creating the strikingly minimalist building.

Visitor Tips

• Exhibition Schedule: Shows rotate every few months. Check the website in advance as there may be brief closure periods between exhibitions.
• Midtown Combo: Combine with shopping and dining in Tokyo Midtown and a visit to the nearby Mori Art Museum.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.