Japan’s National Diet (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Okinawa)
Japan’s National Diet Building, known in Japanese as Kokkaigijido, is the center of the country’s politics. The building in Nagatacho is where lawmakers from both the House of Representatives (lower house) and the House of Councillors (upper house) convene for legislation, voting, budget deliberations, and other key political matters.
The National Diet Building was completed in 1936 after 17 years of construction and is admired for its majestic, elegant exterior and imposing presence, even today. In the left wing of the building, you’ll find the House of Representatives and in the right, is where the House of Councillors conduct their business.
Visitors can explore the main chamber, the Central Hall, Emperor’s Resting Room and the courtyard garden on a one‑hour guided tour for free. Since the two houses conduct separate tours, visitors must choose either the House of Representatives or the House of Councillors. Tours are held once every hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
House of Representatives (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Okinawa)
During my recent visit to tour the House of Representatives, visitors were asked to line up at the back gate (of the left wing) 15 minutes before the tour start time. Once about 30 participants had gathered, an officer guided us into the building.
As we walked through the historic structure along red-carpeted passage, we were able to check out Emperor’s Resting Room, which is a beautifully crafted space featuring zelkova wood, lacquer finishes and traditional Japanese decorative techniques. The guiding officer said this room is used where Emperor stays on the day of the Diet’s opening ceremony. The brocade and embroidery on the walls and ceiling looked particularly exquisite to me.
Emperor’s Resting Room (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Okinawa)
Nearby, we saw a 33‑meter‑high Central Hall. The dimmed space has a kind of mysterious beauty, with blue‑ and green‑hued stained‑glass windows, mosaic‑patterned marble walls and pillars made of Okinawan coral limestone. There were also three statues of great Japanese politicians who shaped Japan’s parliamentary politics stand at each corner of the hall with impressive wall paintings that represent the four seasons.
Central Hall (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Okinawa)
When we entered the main chamber and sat in the public gallery, the view immediately reminded me of the question‑and‑answer sessions between ministers and lawmakers I always see on television.
The large chamber features the Speaker’s tall wooden chair at the front, for the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers on the sides, and 465 lawmakers’ seats arranged in a semicircle beneath a ceiling illuminated by arabesque‑patterned stained glass. Everything exactly how I’ve seen it on TV at home!
The tour concluded in the courtyard, where we were able to admire the Diet Building’s majestic exterior up close, while walking through the spacious garden.
The one-hour tour was a great introduction to Japanese politics and an interesting way to experience some of the country’s history.
National Diet Building (Kokkaigijido)
Address: 1-7-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Facility tours: Mon – Fri, 9, 10, 11, 12 a.m., 1, 2, 3, 4 p.m. (once an hour)
Admission: Free
Websites:
AloJapan.com