At a glance
The Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower is a striking 50-story educational facility in Nishi-Shinjuku housing three schools focused on fashion, technology, design, and medical studies. Its distinctive cocoon-shaped architecture, wrapped in a unique latticed exterior, makes it one of Tokyo's most recognizable landmarks and a frequent backdrop in films and commercials. The building features wheelchair-accessible entrances and ground-floor amenities including convenience stores open to the public.
Photographs
Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower
The Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower is one of those Shinjuku buildings you spot once and instantly remember. Rising to about 204 meters in Nishi-Shinjuku, it’s wrapped in a sculptural, cocoon-like white frame that shifts as you walk around it, almost like the skin is moving with the city.
What’s inside is just as intentional as the exterior. It’s a “vertical campus” that brings multiple schools under one roof, including Tokyo Mode Gakuen (fashion), HAL Tokyo (technology and design), and Shuto Iko (medical), with the overall concept built around nurturing students before they step out into the world, like a cocoon.
Architecturally, it’s a confident piece of contemporary Tokyo. Tange Associates developed the project through an open competition and designed it so the building reads as one smooth oval from outside, while the interior is organized around connected “towers” and shared spaces meant to encourage movement and interaction between departments. It won top honors in the Emporis Skyscraper Award (2008), and it’s often pointed to as one of the city’s standout high-rises from that era.
For visitors, the school areas themselves are generally not open unless you’re staff or a student, but the tower isn’t a blank, closed-off object either. There are public-facing spots like the BookFirst bookstore (basement levels) and other everyday tenants that make it easy to naturally pass through the base of the building even if you’re only here to look up and take photos.
Photographing it is all about angles. In daylight, step back enough to let the cocoon frame read clearly, then move closer to turn the lattice into an abstract pattern. At night, the tower’s glow plays nicely against the darker Shinjuku skyline, and pedestrian bridges nearby are great for getting a slightly elevated, cleaner composition without too many street-level distractions.
Before you go
There is no entry fee to view the building, as it is primarily an active educational facility. Interior access is generally limited to students and staff, but public areas such as ground-level shops and the basement bookstore are open. Expect busy sidewalks nearby, especially during rush hours.
The exterior can be visited year-round with no set closing days. During national holidays and school breaks, foot traffic around the building may be lighter, though nearby Shinjuku areas remain busy.
When to go
The Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower presents striking visual appeal year-round, though autumn offers particularly photogenic opportunities when surrounding ginkgo trees create golden contrasts against the building's modern white lattice exterior. Winter evenings transform the structure into an illuminated landmark, with its cocoon-like design appearing to glow against Shinjuku's night sky, making it especially photogenic during December and January. Visit during weekday mornings between 10 AM and noon for the best exterior photography opportunities with fewer pedestrians obstructing views from the surrounding walkways. The building is closed on Sundays, so plan your visit between Monday and Saturday if you wish to access ground-level facilities like the basement bookstore.
Public review summary
Visitors appreciate the buildings striking architectural design and its prominent position as a Shinjuku landmark, frequently photographing its unique cocoon-like exterior that stands out both day and night. However, prospective students express concerns about educational quality, citing overcrowded classes, limited practical training, inadequate facilities including no lockers, and inconsistent teaching standards that dont match promotional materials or tuition costs.
What you'll find here
Location & access
- DirectionsAddress
モード学園総合校舎コクーンタワ, 1 Chome-7-3 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
- How to get there
By Public Transportation:
The tower is a short walk from Shinjuku Station’s west exit. Multiple lines serve Shinjuku, making it one of the easiest landmarks to reach in Tokyo.
By Car:
Driving is not recommended due to heavy traffic and limited parking in Nishi-Shinjuku. Public transportation is the most practical option.
Common questions
What is the Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower?
Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower is a distinctive 50-story educational building in Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo. It houses three schools: Tokyo Mode Gakuen (fashion), HAL Tokyo (technology and design), and Shuto Ikō (medical college). The building features unique cocoon-inspired architecture and stands 204 meters tall.
Can visitors enter the Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower?
The Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower is primarily an educational facility for enrolled students. While the building itself is not open for tourist tours, visitors can access the convenience store and book store in the basement. The exterior is best viewed from the pedestrian bridge near Shinjuku Station.
Is Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower has a wheelchair accessible entrance. The building is equipped with modern facilities to accommodate visitors with mobility needs. However, access to upper floors is limited to students and authorized personnel of the educational institutions housed within.
How long does it take to visit Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower?
Most visitors spend time viewing and photographing the distinctive exterior architecture from various angles around Shinjuku Station. Since interior access is restricted to students, the experience focuses on appreciating the building's unique cocoon-shaped design from outside. So in total 30 minutes is enough.
Where is the best spot to photograph Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower?
The pedestrian bridge between Shinjuku Station's South and East exits offers excellent views of the tower. The rooftop of Keio Department Store also provides panoramic shots. The building is particularly photogenic at night when illuminated, creating a glowing cocoon effect against Tokyo's skyline.
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