EDOCCO, Edo Culture Complex

Located adjacent to central Tokyo’s Kanda Shrine, EDOCCO, Edo Culture Complex is an innovative, four-story (plus a basement level) commercial complex designed to showcase Japanese cultural traditions, as well as to appeal to a wide range of visitors, including tourists and younger generations. Completed in December 2018 to commemorate the 1,300th anniversary of the founding of Kanda Shrine, EDOCCO is a modern, light-filled space comprising a café, souvenir shops, an event hall, a Japanese culture–experience studio and modern entertainment center, and a multipurpose lounge space. Our groundbreaking concept of creating a community space in the sacred premises of Kanda Shrine is a social contribution project to preserve and promote Japanese cultural traditions and Shintoism. 

Set in a modern, exquisitely designed community space, our strategic design concept was to incorporate symbolic decorations and design motifs inspired by the Shrine that illustrate the idea of Engi, or good fortune.  

EDOCCO’s interior design incorporates logos and decorative elements, including kabuki-actor family crests, that highlight traditional patterns for good luck. Along with the symbolic artwork of the Main Hall are the Edo period characters written in a fortuitous number of strokes. The ceiling of the fourth-floor lounge is embellished with a large gold-plated phoenix, emblematically placed closest to the sky, or heaven, thus bridging Kanda Shrine’s 1,300-year history. 

Our hope was that such strategically placed symbols in a contemporary setting would act as a catalyst for visitors to share their newfound knowledge and inspiration with their friends, sparking a greater interest in Kanda Shrine and the ancient traditions. Already, this assimilation of tradition with innovation is paying off.

EDOCCO’s architecture uses sustainable, locally sourced wood, validated under the Fair Wood Campaign. 

An event held in May 2019 in EDOCCO Hall attracted many new visitors, resulting in a significant increase compared with previous numbers of visitors to Kanda Shrine. Thanks to the God of Prosperity, EDOCCO is gaining a reputation as an innovative, welcoming destination! The facility upholds the traditional Japanese divine virtues of embracing different values, while simultaneously incorporating the modern world and offering an illuminating new venue for relaxation and enjoyment.