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Chūō-ku, Japan
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Nakagin Capsule Tower, 8 Chome-16-10 Ginza, Chūō-ku, Tōkyō-to 104-0061, Japan
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N35° 39' 56.2" E139° 45' 48.2"
(35.665611111111, 139.76338888889)
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The Nakagin Capsule Tower (中銀カプセルタワー, Nakagin Kapuseru Tawā) is a mixed-use residential and office tower designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa and located in Shimbashi, Tokyo, Japan. Completed in just 30 days in 1972, the building is a rare remaining example of Japanese Metabolism, an architectural movement emblematic of Japan's postwar cultural resurgence. It was the world's first example of capsule architecture built for permanent and practical use. The building still exists but has fallen into disrepair. As of October 2012, around thirty of the 140 capsules remained in use as apartments, while others were used for storage or office space, or simply abandoned and allowed to deteriorate. After incorporating in September 2015, Tokyo-based photography company EYExplore relocated its office to one of the capsules, stating, "We wanted take a stand and be part of this historical unique building instead of remaining powerless onlookers." As recently as August 2017 capsules could still be rented (relatively inexpensively, considering the Ginza locale), though the waiting list remains long.
