Japan's 8 most impressive BIM buildings 2025

Which BIM Projects Define Japan’s Infrastructure in 2025?

Adoption of BIM use in Japan 

In 2020, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT) in Japan published guidance on BIM standard workflows underlining that Japan's AEC business model avoids BIM technology being promoted globally as per global building standards in the near term. As reported by the publication, guidelines on BIM use should be fashioned for the country's context drawing lessons from ISO 19650. 

During a period of over a decade, the Japanese government has made efforts to promote the use of BIM in the construction and building design industries. Pilot projects for applying BIM in public works projects were announced by the MLIT in 2010. Among the organizations that have issued directives are: 

Guidelines for the use of BIM in design are provided by the Japanese Institute of Architects (JIA). 

For BIM projects, the Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ) provides a process map. 

One organization that aims to centralize knowledge about the usage of BIM is the Japan Federation of Construction Contractors (JFCC). 

However, the usage of BIM has never been required in Japan. Government-led projects are the only ones that adhere to government regulations. 

Furthermore, it should be mentioned that BIM is only one facet of Japan's ongoing technology development. Computational design, remotely controlled and pre-programmed robots, and autonomous construction site machinery are examples of other contemporary technology. 

Examples of BIM projects in Japan 

1. On the Water House 

 The guesthouse, a residential structure planned as a continuous spiral area running from the approach to the bedrooms, was built by Nikken Sekkei in 2015. The entire building functions as a connected area with varying altitudes. From the road to the lake, the two-story building is situated on a slope that drops roughly 7 meters. Early on, the architects created a 3D study model with the use of Archicad, a BIM CAD program. 

Benefits of using BIM technology: 

• Improved visualization: The architects were able to see the lake view from the building thanks to the 3D BIM model. The architects claimed that they felt as though they were actually within the structure. 

• Analysis: The software assisted the architects in determining the building's ideal placement on the property, as well as the size and shape of the openings and the scale of the rooms. 

• Smooth cooperation: Clients and contractors could have a better understanding of the space and design intent by using 3D BIM models. 

  
  

2.Passenger Terminal Building No.3 Narita International Airport 

 In March 2015, a new low-cost carrier terminal was opened at Japan's Narita International Airport. The terminal, which was built to accommodate quickly growing low-cost carriers, manages 7.5 million people and 50,000 aircraft movements annually. This structure was created using the BIM program ArchiCAD. 

Benefits of using BIM technology: 

• Structural design and MEP planning: Historically, ideas and the finished product would need a lengthy period of planning, development, coordination, and implementation. The several stakeholders were able to plan the structure, design, and MEP in a single design with the aid of BIM. 

• Visualization of several ideas: BIM software assisted in the realization of several ideas that were considered for this project. 

• In-depth inspections: BIM made the structure visible from every angle. This made it easier for architects to assess the public building's safety. 

  
  

3. Shinjuku Labor Federal Office Building 

The first project in the trial of using BIM in government office buildings is this office building. With a total area of about 3500 square meters, the project is a medium sized government office. From the very beginning of the design ideation phase, BIM was utilized. 

Benefits of using BIM technology: 

• Increased productivity: The architects sought to increase the efficiency of the construction process by using a BIM 3D model from the basic design stage to the operation design. 

• Simplifying the design process: The architects intended to expedite the design process and decision-making process with the aid of 3D BIM models. 

• Increased precision: The precision of the design was enhanced by a number of simulations made possible by the BIM model. 

  
  

Interested in getting started with BIM? Check out: Top 10 Iconic BIM Projects Worldwide in 2025

4. Shimizu New Head Office 

At more than 100 meters, the head office is the first high-rise building in Japan to have a seismic isolation structure made of reinforced concrete. This was done in order to construct a structure that can act as a disaster relief center and has exceptional seismic performance. During the design phase, as-built simulations and demonstration trials were conducted using BIM. 

Benefits of using BIM technology: 

• As-built simulations: By employing as-built simulations, BIM made it possible to thoroughly examine the complete material handling procedure using PCC (Power Control Center) panels. 

• Monitoring of the construction process: Using BIM technology, issues in the process were quickly identified and fixed. 

  
  

5. New Sukagawa City Hall 

The New Sukagawa City Hall in Fukushima Prefecture is an illustration of a local government's use of BIM. The design competition was won by AXS Satow Inc. The Sukagawa City requested that the project's engineers employ the BIM approach. BIM was used not just in the design stage but also in the building phase and after the facility was finished. 

Benefits of using BIM technology: 

• High accuracy and consistency: BIM made sure that the project shared the architectural design with the public and delivered high precision and consistency. 

6. Steel Nest 

A brand-new office complex called Steel Nest was built for the Sanei Construction Steel Structure Division in Japan. The customer needed the building to serve as a display showcasing their steel frame processing technology in addition to being an office space.  

The end product is an unusual space that resembles a Voronoi structure, which is made up of constructed polygons of various sizes. From the initial design draft, the project was realized using digital technologies and an open BIM approach. The structure's design frames were made with Archicad. 

Benefits of using BIM technology: 

• Managing the structure's complexity: BIM made it easy to manage the structural space's complexity. 

• Finalization of the design phase on schedule: All of the project teams were able to agree on the proposed design concept more quickly and easily thanks to the use of a 3D design model. 

7. Toho Gakuen School of Music 

The Toho Gakuen School of Music was created in 2014 by Nikken Sekkei with the intention of creating a suitable private setting for music instruction. A dense, multi-level cluster of concrete cubes divided by vertical pockets of open space makes up the structure's design. The architects tested design versions in real time using a collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach in order to complete the project. The project was realized using Archicad. 

Benefits of using BIM 

• Improved Coordination: The project architects, structural engineers, and mechanical engineers were able to coordinate at an exceptionally high level thanks to Archicad. 

• Potential conflict resolution: Since a large portion of the design work was done in Archicad, possible conflicts may be quickly discovered and replaced with fresh ideas. 

8. Yokohama Gate Tower 

In Japan, a 21-story office complex called the Yokohama Gate Tower is planned. For the project's construction, Main Manager entered into an agreement with Global BIM, a division of Kajima Corporation. The Hakata Station in Fukuoka, Japan, and the JTC joint research project in Singapore are two other projects in which Global BIM is now involved. 

 Benefits of using BIM technology: 

• Enhanced Coordination: BIM enhanced coordination between all the stakeholders involved in the project. 

• Saving time and money: BIM saved project construction costs by improving scheduling, clash detection and collaboration. 

  
  

In the Japanese market, the use of BIM is gradually increasing. Since most construction projects in Japan are managed by the private sector, the nation will need ways to help owners and investors understand the benefits of BIM.

Japan is growing increasingly interested, particularly in the facilities management capabilities that BIM models provide. Consequently, the industry is requesting that AEC workers receive more BIM training. 

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