Japan -contemporary / modern architecture

[Peter1619]

I am wondering if anybody knows a good website listing contemporary / modern buildings throughout Japan and especially pinpointing the LOCATION of those buildings. As I am planning a trip to Tokyo / Kyoto / Osaka soon it would be of great help in trying to visit some of them. Travel guides are written for general public, interested mainly in traditional architecture. Architectural magazines usually show interesting new buildings ...but not giving away their addresses.
Any suggestions appreciated. Thank you.

[Ordo_]

This guy is in Kyoto...I dont remebre where exactly but its only a few blocks from Kyoto station.

Tokyo:


This is the Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower, and the only one I have a definate name for.










Sorry I dont have a lot of addresses or names. I dont speak Japanese. However, a lot of these I took just wandering around sidestreets off of Shinjuku Station and Tokyo Station. There is a lot of good stuff to see.

All photos by me.

[Peter1619]

Thank you Ordo.The Cocoon Tower is probably worth a visit. Looks similar with the Big Egg in London.
I will be staying in Shinjuku and I know that the area should be explored too.
Odaiba is another area.
I found an interesting webpage at:
http://www.japan-photo.de/e-mod01.htm
This gives a good idea about what I was talking about...just where are all those building hiding?

[alps]

Welcome to the forums -- here are a few significant buildings around Tokyo. Where are you staying in Shinjuku?

Fuji Television headquarters in Odaiba (map) plenty more futuristic architecture out this way although the area is certainly not urban...lots of parking lots.


(image source)

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku -- this building has a free observation floor and is surrounded by many other skyscrapers...perhaps your hotel is nearby. One of my favourite buildings
(map)


(image source)

Yoyogi National Gymnasium (map)


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Tokyo International Forum (map). you can climb a very cool ramp that spirals up the atrium wall.


(image source)

Nakagin Capsule Tower (map). Not open to the public, but there's a model pod at ground level you can peer into.


(image source)

I do not recall what this tower is called, but it also has a free observation deck with views of Tokyo Bay and Odaiba. Enter through the basement mall and take the elevators up.

The train station in Osaka looks very cool but I have not been there.

[Yume-sama]

My favorite building in Tokyo is definitely the Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower (maybe just because I watched them build it ?) located near Shinjuku Station, and visible from the Shinjuku Skyscraper District.

It will throw you for a loop should you be lucky enough to see the roof fold open for a helicopter to land!

For cheap sightseeing in Tokyo, just get on the Yamanote Circle Line (green train) at Shinjuku Station, and stay on it until it comes back around. Then you will see most of Tokyo for $2 (perhaps get off at the stop before Shinjuku, or visit Shibuya after and visit the famous crosswalk to avoid explaining to the conductor why you didn't leave the train at all).


http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3356601380/

The Tokyo Government Metropolitan Building is also quite significant (the tallest in the photo). Until Tokyo Sky Tree is built, it will have the highest observation point in Japan. It is free! Definitely worth a visit.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3909658323/

In Roppongi (definitely visit!) we have the Mori Tower - it is one of the tallest buildings in the city, and has an open air observation deck on the roof that offers a terrific view of the area, including the Tokyo Tower!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3910260243/

For futuristic, definitely visit the artificial island of Odaiba, you will be able to see the Rainbow Bridge very nicely... and they have a statue of liberty replica


http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3874330962/

And visit the Fuji TV Building. You can watch free recording of TV show, or visit the observation (in the ball)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3870665984/

If you make your way to Nagoya (many people skip it, but it is a city worth a day trip at least!) on the way to Kyoto and Osaka, my favorite building is the Mode Gakuen Spiral Towers, right outside Nagoya station.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3371593169/

It is owned by the same school (yes, school if you can believe it!) as the Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower in Tokyo.

In Kyoto, enjoy the ancient buildings. There are no tall buildings, other than Kyoto Tower. But you can DEFINITELY appreciate Kyoto Station, one of the largest train stations in Japan. It is in the bottom right of this 360 panorama.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3258107009/

Make sure to visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), arguably the most famous World Heritage Site (of many) in Kyoto.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3877659615/

In Kyoto, maybe make a day trip to Nara. It is a magical ancient city, capital city of Japan from 710 - 784. It is said that the former capital cities haven't changed much from the time they were the capital, and, in Nara's case this is mostly true. Many buildings that date back well over 1000 years, and virtually no modern buildings. You can take guided English tour for about $30 per person.

The most famous is Todai-ji home of Daibutsuden (Great Buddha). When it was built in 751, 10% of the Japanese population was employed to build it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3903057573/

Inside is the Great Buddha, made of Bronze. For scale, each of the round "dots" on his head are larger than a human head.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3903090625/

Nara is most famous for its domesticated wild deer population. They are so friendly and let you pet them! This makes it magical There are thousands of them literally everywhere.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3903341800/

In Osaka, the most iconic building is Umeda Sky Building (located in Umeda, where most of the skyscrapers are). It has an observation area on the roof, of course!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3270093075/

Osaka has very interesting architecture, compared to a lot of Japan, it is very modern. A panorama from Umeda Sky Building on a terrible day

http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3270918428/

Make sure you visit the Dotonbori area, sample some Takoyaki (fried octopus balls, Osaka is most famous for this!) and go for dinner at Kani Doraku for the best crab in Japan. You can not miss it, it has a giant moving crab on the exterior of the building. It is one of the most famous restaurants in Japan, and actually occupies every floor of the building.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3271020996/

Everything is crab shaped, even the carrots.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3356539106/

Maybe visit Kobe in your spare time. It is very close to Osaka! You can sample Kobe beef, not nearly as expensive as in Tokyo or abroad.

Visit Kobe Tower (yet another observation tower) and the Maritime Museum.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3270823156/

Sorry if I have told more or different things than you cared to know. But, 日本大好きですよ！ (I love Japan!)

Have a good trip! Be sure to see many of the historic sites in Japan! If you need help, let me know!

[llamaorama]

The other day I was in the big half price books(the one in Austin) and almost bought a book on this for 5 bucks.

Now I regret it.

I heard that the nagakin capsule tower is threatened by demolition, or has been already? a shame if that's true.

[Yume-sama]

Yes, it is supposed to be demolished, but the plans are put on hold because of the recession.

It is the people who live there who actually voted to demolish it and replace it with something bigger, as living in a capsule can be very cramped.

[Ordo_]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Mode Gakuen Spiral Towers, right outside Nagoya station.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/syume/3371593169/

That is a sexy building!

[architecture-design]

Kanagawa Institute of Technology (KAIT)