My impressions of visiting the Canadian Embassy in Aoyama, Tokyo, during the Tokyo Architecture Festival 2026 in May 2026.
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Table of contents
Exhibition Overview
- Exhibition Title: Canadian Embassy Tokyo Architecture Festival 2026
- Dates: May 18 (Mon), 19 (Tue), 20 (Wed), 21 (Thu), 2026
- Hours: 10:00-17:00 (12:00-17:00 on the last day only)
- Location: Canadian Embassy, Aoyama, Tokyo
- Admission: Free (Web reservation required)
In 2026, to enter the building, you must reserve a visit time slot starting at 7:00 AM on the day of your visit. Reservations are available in 30-minute increments.
The following three floors are available for viewing:
- 4th Floor: Canadian Garden, Japanese Garden, Reception Lobby, Executive Dining Room
- B2F: Gallery (closed during the architecture festival, but viewable from the outside), Library, Theater
- 1st Floor: Lobby Entrance
My impression: “A hanging garden with flowing water”
First, visitors undergo a security check of their belongings, reservation confirmation, and photo ID before entering. On May 20, two gates were set up for security checks, with two people allowed in at a time.
I arrived at 12:15 p.m. for the 12:30 p.m. entry and there were about 80 people in line. I was able to enter around 1:00 p.m., meaning I waited in line for about 45 minutes.
Taking the elevator from the first-floor reception area to the fourth floor brings you to the “Canada Garden,” where sculptures and the sound of water can be enjoyed. The garden begins with Ted Beeler’s sculpture, “Wave Braking,” which is placed in an artificial pond that represents the Atlantic Ocean at the easternmost point of Canada. Next is a landscape adorned with stones by Toshiaki Masuno. Next is “INUKSHUK” by Pootoogook and Kananginak (Arctic Rock), followed by a triangular object reminiscent of the Rocky Mountains. Beyond that is a pond representing the Pacific Ocean with Merion Kantaloff’s “Wave.” From there, you can see the Akasaka Palace. If you continue in, a Japanese garden will appear.
The executive dining room is next to the reception lobby, and a glass-enclosed, open event space is in the center. Take the elevator down from here to the second basement floor.
The second basement floor contains the Prince Takamado Memorial Gallery (closed during the architecture festival but viewable from the outside), the E.H. Norman Library, and the Oscar Peterson Theater. Each space has its own distinctive design. The library also displays artworks.
Taking the escalator up from the second basement floor will lead you to the first-floor lobby entrance. Several pieces of contemporary art are on display there. From left to right in the photo below are: Untitled by Warren Carter, artist unknown (I forgot to photograph the caption), Naan by Renée Condo, and several other pieces.
You cannot leave directly from the first floor. You must go back to the fourth-floor lobby and take the elevator you used to enter to finish your visit.
Summary
The tour allowed us to explore various sections of the Canadian Embassy. With contemporary art pieces displayed throughout, it was a satisfying experience for art lovers.
The highlight was the Canada Garden on the fourth floor, which offered a breathtaking view. Tokyo Tower would look even more impressive if there were fewer buildings, but that’s difficult to achieve in present-day Tokyo.
Even outside of the architecture festival, visitors can explore areas open to the public, including the gardens (including the Canada Garden on the fourth floor), the second basement floor gallery, and the library. The embassy is open from Monday to Friday, so I highly recommend a visit.
Reference links
- Tokyo Architecture Festival 2026・Official page
- Warren Carther・Official page
- Renée Condo・Gallery Artist Introduction Page
- Virtual tour of the Canadian Embassy (5-minute version)・Youtube
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Update history
- 2026.5.20
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