Daikanyama T-SITE

In short

Daikanyama T-SITE is a commercial complex centered around Daikanyama Tsutaya Books, facing Kyu-Yamate-dori Street in Daikanyama. Opening in December 2011, it was created with the aim of being a place like "a library in the woods" where visitors can relax and enjoy books, music, and movies.

• ​Three Bookstore Buildings​​: Daikanyama Tsutaya Books consists of three separate buildings facing Kyu-Yamate-dori Street, with exterior walls lined with T-shaped panels.
• ​Concierge Shelves​​: "Concierges" who are thoroughly versed in fields such as the humanities, automobiles, architecture, art, travel, and cooking curate the sales floors.
• ​Walkways Amid Greenery​​: Centered around the bookstore, several small specialty shops are connected by pleasant walking paths.

History and Highlights

Daikanyama T-SITE is a commercial complex that opened in December 2011. It was the first "lifestyle-proposal" commercial facility created by Culture Convenience Club, which had been selling and renting books, CDs, and DVDs under the TSUTAYA brand. Designed around the concept of "a cultural stronghold for adults," the goal was to create a space akin to a library in the forest where people could relax and enjoy books, music, and films.

The core of the complex is Daikanyama Tsutaya Books, which faces Kyu-Yamate-dori Street. It is divided into three buildings, with openings placed at the corners of each building to seamlessly connect the interior and exterior spaces. The architecture was designed by Klein Dytham architecture and RIA. Its design and spaces won the top award in the Shopping Centres category at the international World Architecture Festival.

Behind the bookstore, establishments such as restaurants are nestled among the trees, and several small specialty shops are connected by pleasant walkways. The buildings were kept low out of consideration for the landscape created over many years by the adjacent Hillside Terrace. In the early Showa period, the residences of the Mito Tokugawa family and business figures stood on this land. Because planting was done while preserving the tall trees from that era, the facility remains enveloped in lush greenery.

Viewing and Experiencing Highlights

• ​The T-shapes on the Exterior Walls​​: The exterior walls feature glass-fiber reinforced concrete panels shaped like the letter "T," interwoven across the surface. The large white "T" patterns that emerge on the facade serve as the facility's signage.
• ​Sales Floors Like a Study​​: The sales areas consist of a series of study-like spaces with warm interiors. Curated by connoisseurs known as concierges who possess deep knowledge of fields such as the humanities, automobiles, architecture, art, travel, and cooking, the shelves can be enjoyed simply by browsing the book titles. Some shelves also carry rare vintage books.
• ​Magazine Street and Coffee​​: There is a "Magazine Street" lined with magazines from around the world, alongside specialized book sections organized by genres such as art, architecture, and travel. Another appeal is being able to read books before buying them, with a cup of coffee in hand.

Strolling Tips

It is about a 5-minute walk from Daikanyama Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line. From Kyu-Yamate-dori Street, consider viewing the exterior walls of the three bookstore buildings first before stepping inside. The complex is dog-friendly, featuring leash hooks placed throughout to tether dogs while shopping. The Former Asakura Family Residence is located about 220 meters to the south-southeast. You may also enjoy extending your walk about 390 meters west-northwest to Saigoyama Park.