Shimizu Completes “Tokyo Mokkojo” Timber Technology Demonstration Facility
Shimizu Corp. announced on February 19, 2026, that it has completed the full redevelopment of Tokyo Mokkojo, its in-house timber construction technology development hub in Kiba, Koto Ward. The project was completed in January 2026, consolidating existing functions into two buildings. The facility incorporates the company’s proprietary fire-resistant timber technology, the “Slim Fire-Resistant Wood Tied Beam.” It is positioned as a showcase to demonstrate Shimizu’s technical capabilities as it seeks to expand orders for mid- to high-rise timber buildings.
The factory building is a three-story structure of steel construction with partial timber construction, with a Gross Floor Area of approximately 1,154 tsubo (approx. 38,150 sq. ft.). The Slim Fire-Resistant Wood Tied Beam was adopted for the roof structure, creating a column-free span of 15.9 meters. The Slim Fire-Resistant Wood technology reduces the thickness of the sacrificial char layer to about half that of conventional methods. In November 2025, Shimizu also developed a new construction method that lowers fabrication costs by approximately 20%.
The guest building includes an exhibition gallery and educational space focused on timber, serving as a venue to showcase the company’s technologies to clients.
Major general contractors in Japan are accelerating development of timber construction technologies amid the broader decarbonization trend. Mitsui Fudosan and Obayashi Corp. recently broke ground on a hybrid timber office project in Nihonbashi Honcho designed to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 25% (see related article: Mitsui Fudosan Breaks Ground on Timber Rental Office in Nihonbashi Honcho). With origins as a traditional temple and shrine carpenter, Shimizu is repositioning the Tokyo Mokkojo—established in 1884—as a hub for promoting the culture, technology and appeal of wood, aiming to strengthen its competitiveness in the timber construction market.
Key Facts
Property Name: Tokyo Mokkojo
Owner: Shimizu Corp.
Location: 2-chome Kiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Approximately 5-minute walk from Kiba Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line
Groundbreaking: March 2022
Completion: January 2026
Factory Building
Number of Floors: 3F
Structure: Steel construction with partial timber construction
Gross Floor Area: Approximately 1,154 tsubo (approx. 38,150 sq. ft.)
Guest Building
Number of Floors: 2F
Structure: Steel construction with partial timber construction
Gross Floor Area: Approximately 410 tsubo (approx. 13,550 sq. ft.)