Myth of Tomorrow is a large mural by Japanese artist Taro Okamoto, displayed in the connecting passage at Shibuya Station, near Shibuya Mark City. Its vivid panels portray the destruction caused by an atomic bomb, giving the work a solemn subject amid the movement of the station. Look closely at the figures and details across the mural, then take in Shibuya Scramble Crossing from the nearby passage. The artwork is accessible around the clock, and an early or weekday visit can mean fewer people around it.
A mural with a journey of its own
Taro Okamoto created Myth of Tomorrow for a hotel project in Mexico in 1968. The hotel ran into financial trouble before the work was installed, and the mural was separated from the project. It changed hands and was moved around Mexico before it was considered lost.
The mural was found again in Mexico City in 2003. After extensive restoration, it came to Japan and appeared in exhibitions, including in Shiodome and at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, before being installed in Shibuya Mark City. Its long route from a hotel commission to a station passage is part of the work’s story.
Reading the panels
The mural is about 5.5 metres high and 30 metres wide, with 14 colorful panels. Across them, Okamoto depicts the instant of an atomic bomb detonation and its human cost. Take time to follow the images across the full width rather than looking at the work as a single scene.
The subject is grave, and the station setting brings the artwork into everyday public life. The passage also gives a view toward Shibuya Scramble Crossing, so the mural and the street below can be seen in the same visit.
Finding the artwork in the station
Myth of Tomorrow is displayed in the connecting passage at Shibuya Mark City, near the entrance to the Keio Inokashira Line. It is an indoor stop within the station, with wheelchair-accessible entrance access. You can visit at any hour, though an early morning or weekday visit is a practical choice if you want more room to look closely.
Okamoto also made Tower of the Sun in Osaka. Knowing that link adds context to his work, but the mural’s panels and its history can be followed on their own.
FAQ
Where is Myth of Tomorrow?
It is in the connecting passage at Shibuya Mark City, near the Keio Inokashira Line entrance at Shibuya Station.
What does the mural depict?
Its 14 panels portray an atomic bomb detonation and its human cost.
Can you see Myth of Tomorrow at any time?
The passage is open around the clock.
How large is the mural?
It is about 5.5 metres high and 30 metres wide.
