Every year, 20% of Tokyo is scrapped and rebuilt. “Historic” now stretches back only a few decades, since the average building lifespan is less than 30 years.

Whether you live here or are just passing through, we urge you to actively explore the city, to talk about it with others, to share the places you like, and to frequent the architectural treasures that you cherish. Only by demonstrating their continued commercial viability can Japan’s remaining historic buildings be rescued.