The Many Lives of the Nakagin Capsule Tower

The Museum of Modern Art presents a focused exhibition dedicated to the 50-year lifespan of the Nakagin Capsule Tower, a groundbreaking project by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa (1934–2007) that waslocated in Tokyo’s Ginza District from 1972 until 2022.

The Many Lives of the Nakagin Capsule Tower in MoMA’s street-level galleries, presents capsule A1305 alongside nearly 45 pieces of contextual material that showcase the evolving and unexpected uses of the building. These materials include the project’s only surviving model from 1970–72; original drawings, photographs, and promotional ephemera; an archival film and audio recordings; interviews with former tenants; and an interactive virtual tour of the entire building. Marketed as micro-dwellings for commuting businessmen, the building was composed of two interconnected concrete- and-steel towers that hosted 140 single-occupancy “capsules,” each fully equipped with prefabricated fixtures and a Sony color TV. Once located on the highest floor of the building, capsule A1305 is fully restored with the maximum number of original fittings salvaged from other rescued capsules, including the full array of audio electronics that were offered as add-on features. The capsule, one of only 14 restored in their original condition after the building was dismantled in 2022, was acquired by MoMA in 2023.