Japanese architecture in Tokyo by Kengo Kuma, here are three places to see the creations of the Japanese architect. Advice for architecture lovers.
Tokyo is an inexhaustible source of modern architectures of high value, and in my opinion the most interesting are those of Kengo Kuma: his projects combine in an extraordinary way the tradition of Japanese wooden architecture with modern architecture.
Tokyo being boundless, I will propose you a list of his most beautiful works divided by neighborhoods so that you are free to include them at will in your tour.
Tourism information center Asakusa
When you get to Asakusa, as soon as you come out of the metro, you cannot miss the tower of the tourist office. I advise you to stop there immediately, you will find some very interesting ideas for your tour and above all, going up to the top floor of the tower, you will have a magnificent view of the entire main street that leads to the temple.
At first glance you will notice of not being in front of an ordinary building: vertical wooden blades are marked by horizontal planes and by inclined planes of black metal. What makes this composition interesting is the relationship between outside and inside: where inside there is a terraced floor or a sloping ceiling, outside on the facade we see these inclinations: enter and have fun discovering these similarities! Yes, in fact only I have fun like this, so enter and you will be immersed in a special atmosphere.
SunnyHills Omotesandō
While shopping in one of the more streets in di Tokyo stop and take apple cupcakes and a Thai drink in the sunny hills, plus it's free. When in the main street of Omotesandō you will have Prada on the right, turn immediately left, a few minutes walk you will find this tangle of wood that is very similar to a nest SunnyHills, you can't go wrong!
Here Kengo Kuma gave the best of himself: combining the millennial Japanese tradition in wooden joints with the use of new 3d design software, has created a unique building of its kind. Obviously, for my boyfriend's happiness, I enjoyed discovering the various types of interlocking and the functioning of the facade, mission impossible! At this point you can't not enter: the unusual plays of light that are formed inside are unique, I also recommend a pee stop: the bathroom is beautiful.
Nezu Museum Omotesandō
Returning to having the Prada shop on the right and continuing, you will find yourself in front of a long wall of bamboo rods: the Nezu museum. Although the works inside are for true admirers of Japanese history and historical objects (not my case) I could not resist entering! Only the inner garden is worth the price of the ticket: I could not believe that the center of Tokyo, so densely built, could still host such a vast garden: an oasis of peace and tranquility within a dynamic and chaotic neighborhood.
After the entrance, bordered by the bamboo wall, you will find yourself in the courtyard access to the museum (note the ingenious system for leaving the umbrellas) here you will really realize how the building is made, a simple structure covered by a gable roof that recalls the typical Japanese buildings, all in a modern style: large windows and a very thin metal roof. Upon entering, the gloomy atmosphere of the museum interior will voluntarily contrast with the bright and lush garden outside. Needless to say, I liked it a lot.
Daiwa Ubiquitous Computing Research Building
If at this point you are as passionate as I am of Kengo Kuma you will be forced to go and visit thislast destination. Unfortunately it's not in an area that usually fits into a Tokyo tour, but it is in the university area, well served by the means, I am not sorry to lose myself on campus. I say lose me because no one knew where this building was so, in typical Japanese style, all those we asked, in order not to tell us they did not know, directed us to the wrong places on campus. Once we took the right direction, we could not fail to recognize it: an orderly mass of wood chips mounted on a facade with multiple inclinations.
The intention was precisely to break away from the massive brick and concrete buildings of the campus to create an architecture from lighter and more welcoming perception, it is certain that if no one knew of its existence I do not know how much the building has affected.
The bar on the ground floor is really very nice but I advise you to stop only if you are a true lover of macha and Japanese sweets, it has unbelievable prices! We stopped and my boyfriend still accuses me of breakfast as the most expensive of his life, how much ingratitude.
Obviously Japan is an inexhaustible source of Kengo Kuma's architecture, but I think these are the main and most affordable ones for a sightseeing tour.
