2) Stimulate Your Intellectual Curiosity with Public Art in Marunouchi
Marunouchi is not only Tokyo’s business hub but also a vibrant art district. Centered around Marunouchi Naka-dori Street, you’ll find an array of contemporary art installations and sculptures scattered throughout the streets and plazas, creating an inviting atmosphere where art can be enjoyed casually amid the urban landscape.
This area is perfect for a leisurely stroll that sparks intellectual curiosity, even during a busy day. Here, we introduce some of the most notable public artworks in Marunouchi that you won’t want to miss.
・Iliad Japan
Located in front of the Tokyo Sankei Building in Otemachi, Iliad Japan is a large-scale, vividly colored public art sculpture created in 1987 by the renowned sculptor Alexander Liberman.
Made of steel, the sculpture measures an impressive 14.2 meters tall, 15 meters wide, and 12.8 meters deep. Its striking vermilion color stands out dramatically against the backdrop of modern skyscrapers, drawing the eyes of passersby in the busy business district.
The name "Iliad" references the ancient Greek epic poem by Homer, which depicts the Trojan War. The sculpture’s design is said to incorporate themes of conflict and struggle, with its angled pipes arranged in a form that some interpret as reminiscent of the Trojan Horse.
With pillars rising from the ground and extending upward, the sculpture evokes a sense of civilization’s creation and rebirth — a powerful symbol amid Tokyo’s urban landscape.
・Sun Dial
Located within Otemachi Place, directly connected to Tokyo Metro Otemachi Station, the Sun Dial is a groundbreaking art piece by sculptor Hiroshi Sugimoto, created in 2018.
This artwork represents a three-dimensional mathematical model of a cubic function and also serves as a functional sundial. Its sharp, protruding tip creates a striking visual impact, evoking a fascinating sense of disorientation and challenging viewers’ perception of space and time.
・The Giant Town
Created by an Italian sculptor, The Giant Town draws inspiration from ancient Italian cities. From a distance, the sculpture appears as a plump human figure in bronze, but upon closer inspection, countless window-like openings cover its entire surface.
Its form evokes the image of an ancient fortress or a hollow city, offering a captivating and surreal experience for viewers.
・Untitled
Created by an artist influenced from childhood by their potter father, Untitled is made from various materials including ceramics, terracotta, and sand.
This piece symbolizes the essence of art—the diverse interpretations it invites. Each viewer experiences it differently, but it is often said to represent the “dilemma of eternal, unfulfilled human desire.”
・Michael Leitch Statue
The bronze statue of Michael Leitch, a former Japanese national rugby player who inspired many with his World Cup performances, stands proudly in Marunouchi. The sculpture captures the dynamic moment of him leaping to score a try while holding the rugby ball.
This statue is a popular photo spot and beloved by both locals and visitors alike.
・Woman Sunbathing
Created by a renowned Swedish sculptor and painter, Woman Sunbathing is a colorful artwork featuring a female figure. Its vivid colors stand out in an area where multicolored art is rare.
The sculpture expresses a woman sitting with passion and vitality, embracing life under the sunlight—making it a perfect symbol for Marunouchi, a district known for the active role of women in business and society.
・Sleeping Head Sculpture
This artwork, depicting a human head lying on the ground, may surprise viewers at first glance. The face, reminiscent of classical Greek sculpture, is wrapped in bandages, evoking feelings of anxiety and fear.
The piece symbolizes a person entering eternal meditation to escape the anxieties of reality. It suggests that by facing oneself without running away from reality, one can ultimately be freed from the darkness within.
・Nike Sculpture
This impressive sculpture, inspired by the Winged Victory of Samothrace, stands at a towering 7 meters tall, commanding attention with its powerful presence. Made from thin metal plates, the artwork intentionally abstracts details, inviting viewers to explore various interpretations.
Its proud and bold stance inspires feelings of pride and confidence, symbolizing strength and hope.
・Trans-Double Yana (Mirror)
This sculpture depicts a figure twisting their waist while extending their left hand forward as if pointing ahead. Although it appears to be a woman at first glance, the piece carries a mysterious allure.
Is the figure guiding the viewer’s gaze to something specific, or capturing a fleeting moment of a modern idol’s dance? This ambiguity sparks the viewer’s imagination and invites reflection on human reality and physicality.
・"I Fly Over the City"
This captivating sculpture features a human head adorned with symbolic elements such as a church, a book, and a tree-lined path. These represent memories, thoughts, nature, and the paths people believe in.
With a face that seems to speak directly to viewers, this artwork gently engages with the city’s hustle and quiet, inviting passersby to reflect on their own memories and emotions.
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