Part of the Ark Hills complex, it consists of a main concert hall, widely considered one of the finest in the world for its acoustics – Herbert von Karajan called it “a jewel box of sound” – and a smaller side-hall for chamber music.

Suntory was designed as a compromise hybrid seating layout, having substantially fewer acoustically-inferior seats sidewards and behind the stage than Berlin Philharmonie, incorporating elements of both the arena layout and vineyard style of the Berlin Philharmonie and classical shoeboxes like Vienna Musikverein.

Apparently at the time of construction a visionary modification of the Berlin Philharmonie layout, since recent acoustic research clearly recognizes the advantage of the shoebox halls over Berlin Philharmonie architect Sharoun's unique idea of placing audience all around musicians, even if it meant that many sit in the acoustical offside with weak sound, away from the preferential directions many classical instruments and singers emit sound.

[6][7] The Suntory Hall has had performers and conductors from all around the world, including Karajan, Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Giuseppe Sinopoli, Claudio Abbado, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Hiroshi Wakasugi, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Ivo Pogorelich, Mitsuko Uchida, and Hermann Prey.

Artworks in the hall include the Chandelier Symphony of Lights by Motoko Ishii, the stained glass “Growth of Grapes” by Keiko Miura, and wall art by Teppei Ujiyama which are all located in the foyer.