Today’s question is: What is your favorite example of modern-day architecture in Japan?
Japan’s modern architecture has a reputation for being drab and utilitarian. A common complaint is that the unique buildings in major cities are replaced with skyscrapers or office blocks.
Yet, building such as Benesse House, D.T. Suzuki Museum or Kyushu National Museum are often seen in the major architecture journals as fine examples of modern architecturee.
So tell us, what is your favorite example of modern-day architecture in Japan.
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13 comments
I like the Umeda Towers in Osaka.
Always been a fan of the Tokyo Edo Museum and the Fuji TV building in Odaiba.
Nakagin tower, but sadly it’s no longer around
Umimirai library, new Kanazawa station and the newer museums (D. T. Suzuki, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art) in Kanazawa.
Towada Art Center in Towada, Aomori.
I know it was a part of many controversies but the National Stadium is a refreshing change from those generic glass towers. I’m actually glad it didn’t end up being the Zaha Hadid design which I found to be too ominous
I’ve loved all the Kengo Kuma designed buildings I’ve seen. The Toyama Kirari (Glass Museum) was spectacular.
– [Kengo Kuma Buildings in Japan](https://www.tsunagujapan.com/9-must-see-buildings-by-kengo-kuma/)
– [Kengo Kuma Talks About Future of Tokyo](https://www.tokyoweekender.com/2021/09/tokyo-deconstructed-kengo-kuma-talks-citys-future/)
Lots of other cool buildings to visit in Tokyo too (even public toilets).
– [Tokyo Architecture City Guide](https://www.archdaily.com/168654/tokyo-architecture-city-guide-30-iconic-buildings-to-visit-in-japans-capital-city)
– [All The Cool Toilets in Shibuya](https://www.tokyoweekender.com/2021/10/all-the-new-shibuya-toilets/)
Saint Mary cathedral, Byakurengedo temple, the Sumida Hokusai museum, even the Marunouchi redevelopment as a whole, or Yurakucho international forum are good examples imho
PL Tower in Tondabayashi
One of my favorite buildings ever is [Teshima Art Museum](https://benesse-artsite.jp/en/art/teshima-artmuseum.html) but I also really love anything that Tadao Ando designed (ie Kobe Art Museum) it’s all concrete and pretty stark but soooo cool.
Kobe Motomachi Port Tower and Meriken Park. There’s something so eerily serene at night despite the postmodern architecture.
I love the Dentsu building in Shinbashi and Cocoon Tower in Shinjuku. JR Nagano, Topama, Kyoto, and Chiba stations are also among my favorites.
Surprised to hear this about Japanese architecture, one of the things that really stood out to me was that buildings (especially in residential buildings) were very unique & varied, even just in terms of color!
Kyoto railway station is spectacular