Suntory Museum of Art will reopen in "Tokyo Midtown" (Akasaka 9-chome). "Tokyo Midtown", a redeveloped complex, consists of a vast green belt of 4 hectares, offices, commercial establishments, housing, hotels, design institutes, medical facilities, and event/conference halls. With the concept of "diversity of the green", it aims to become a base of integrating multiple functions and transmitting state-of-the-art information to the world.
As for commercial functions, it offers shops and restaurants to meet the needs of the sophisticated adult in fashion, lifestyles and gourmet food. The five-star "Ritz-Carlton" will open its first hotel in Tokyo to revitalize the hotel scene in this district. Also for focusing on "design" and "art" while stimulating international competitiveness, the "21_21 DESIGN SIGHT" will open along with the new Suntory Museum of Art, to lead a movement to raise interest in and understanding of design.
Tokyo Midtown will be located between the Roppongi Intersection and Nogizaka, along the Gaienhigashi-dori. In the Edo Era, this section was the Hagi Domain Môri Clan's territory; and it became an army post in the Meiji Era. The US military utilized it for officer housing after the war; it was later returned to the national government and used as the Hinoki-cho Office of the Defense Agency. There are a great number of historical items remaining which have been carried over for generations through transformations such as the rocks from the Môri Clan's mansion's moat for reinforced walls, and approximately 140 trees planted during the Defense Agency days to be included in Tokyo Midtown's green belt.
Symbol of "Roppongi Art Triangle" : it represents the link through transmission and activities among these three museums and the infinite possibilities in Roppongi which never stops moving forward.
Roppongi is filled with facilities for art and culture; in 2007, the National Art Center Tokyo is scheduled to open in January and the new Suntory Museum of Art in March to enliven this large-scale art district. As these institutes together with the Mori Art Museum geographically form a triangle, the project of "Roppongi Art Triangle" is under way to further vitalize this area's art and culture activities. As the launch of this project, the "Roppongi Art Triangle" map has been produced to introduce art-related spots in Roppongi. This map will be of great assistance for visitors as they explore and fully experience the ever-evolving cultural district of Roppongi for a stroll in art. The "Roppongi Art Triangle" map was completed in December 2006 and is now being distributed at these museums and other establishments in Roppongi. Pick up a copy and enjoy!
