The landmark "Akamon" of the University of Tokyo in Japan is expected to reopen in the fall of 2027

The University of Tokyo's "Akamon", an important national cultural property of Japan, is expected to reopen in the fall of 2027.

The well-known landmark "Akamon" of the University of Tokyo, Japan's number one university, located in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, is listed as an important national cultural property of Japan. However, due to insufficient earthquake resistance, it will be closed in February 2021. Large-scale renovations will begin in 2025. It is expected to reopen in the autumn of 2027 when the gate celebrates its 200th anniversary.

Akamon was originally a gate built by the Kaga clan in the Edo period for the shogun's daughter to marry. It was later donated to the University of Tokyo by the Maeda family. In order to preserve the historic site while enhancing structural safety, this renovation adopted construction methods such as reducing the weight of the roof and adding weight blocks to prevent it from floating during earthquakes. The project is undertaken by Shimizu Construction, with a total funding target of 1 billion yen, and is currently raising funds through the foundation.

In order to let the outside world understand the progress, the school recently held a special meeting, inviting graduates and nearby residents who had never walked through the Red Gate during their studies. Wearing safety helmets and walking into the construction site surrounded by scaffolding, they took a close look at the columns and beams being reinforced and the roof structure after the tiles were removed.

The removed old tiles were reused after weight reduction and are currently placed on scaffolding. Among them, you can still see the tiles engraved with the Maeda family crest. The school said that it will continue to disclose the progress through meetings and restart plans to welcome the reopening in 2027.