Former Den-en-chofu Station Building

In short

The Former Den-en-chofu Station Building is the former station building of Den-en-chofu Station, characterized by its red roof and white walls. It was demolished in 1990 due to construction work to move the station underground, but its exterior was restored in almost the same location in 2000. Although it is no longer used as a station building today, it remains beloved as a symbol of Den-en-chofu.

• ​Mansard roof​​: A gambrel roof with a double slope, said to be modeled after old European houses
• ​Starting point of radial roads​​: The station building stands at the origin point of Den-en-chofu's radial road network
• ​Ginkgo-lined avenues​​: Three radial roads extending from the West Exit of the station are lined with ginkgo trees. In front of the station building, there is a roundabout with a fountain

History and Highlights

The ​Former Den-en-chofu Station Building​ is a structure with a red roof and white walls standing in front of Den-en-chofu Station. Den-en-chofu Station was opened in 1923 by Meguro-Kamata Electric Railway, the predecessor of Tokyu, and was initially named "Chofu Station" after the village at that time. In 1926, it was renamed to the current Den-en-chofu Station.

Den-en-chofu is a residential district developed and sold starting in 1923 by Den-en Toshi Company, founded by Shibusawa Eiichi and others. Planned radial and concentric roads are laid out around the station. The station building stood at the starting point of these radial roads and has been cherished by residents over many years.

The station building was designed by architect Yabe Kintaro. Yabe was also involved in the urban design of the entire Den-en-chofu district. It is said that there was a restaurant on the second floor around the time the station building was originally built.

In September 1990, the building was demolished due to construction work to put the station underground. Partly driven by strong requests from local residents, its exterior was restored in almost the exact same spot in 2000. The current building does not function as a railway station.

Points for Appreciation and Experience

• ​Mansard roof​​: The gambrel roof with two different slopes is known as a mansard roof. It is said to be modeled after old European rural houses, featuring a distinct appearance with a red roof and white walls.
• ​Roundabout with a fountain​​: There is a roundabout with a fountain in front of the station building.
• ​Radially extending ginkgo avenues​​: Three radial roads extend from the station's West Exit, forming avenues lined with ginkgo trees. The semicircular street framing the western side of the station is called "Étoile," which means star in French.

Walking Tips

Stand in front of the station building and look out across the radially extending avenues of ginkgo trees. You will see that the station building sits at the pivot point of a folding fan. The commercial facility near the station building, Tokyu Square Garden Site, was also built in conjunction with the station's relocation underground. It was designed in the Taisho Modernism style so as to blend into the townscape of Den-en-chofu.

Tamagawadai Park is located about 750 meters to the south.