As a young man Kurokawa was the prime mover in what became known as the Metabolist Movement; a radical Japanese avant-garde group pursuing the merging and recycling of architecture styles around an Asian philosophy.

He went on to found Tokyo-based Kisho Kurokawa Architect & Associates, which has been responsible for many of the most notable buildings in the Far East. His fame was such that he once ran for election as the Governor of Tokyo.

Examples of his work in the west include the Zenit stadium in St Petersburg which he won in an international competition.