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52 Of The Most Amazing Examples Of Modern Japanese Architecture
The list of reasons to visit Japan is pretty much endless - the unique Japanese culture, centuries-old Japanese traditions, and arts, just to name a few. But one of the best excuses to pack your bags and jump on the next plane to Tokyo is the country's incredibly diverse and innovative array of modern architecture.
The Japanese have their modern design ideas deeply connected to the traditional architecture, where wood, big screens and decorative but minimal designs where the most prominent. The contemporary take on Japanese architecture favorites such characteristics as multipurpose use, minimalism, and the relationship with nature which is very clear even the big city dwellings.
As you can see from this list compiled by Bored Panda, there seems to be no limit to the unique design ideas and imagination that goes into designing buildings and structures in Japan. And whether you're into secluded wooden forest hideaways, totally transparent modern design houses, stunning capsule towers or beautiful ribbon-shaped chapels, you're sure to find something in this Japanese architecture list to amaze you.
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#1
Japanese Kindergarten Built Around A Tree
Yvonne Bernal 9 years ago
Maybe this can teach the children to appreciate nature more... instead of the traditional concrete playground.
Lyone Fein 9 years ago
Appreciating nature is part of Japanese Shinto tradition.
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over opinionated 9 years ago
So much healthier than in the city. Clean air for developing minds. And very beautiful to look at each day.
Laurentiu Ionescu 9 years ago
Would have been cooler and closer to the idea of surrounding nature if more wood would have been used
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#2
Japanese Architect Created An Unique Forest House For 2 Retired Ladies
Sherry DeRoch 9 years ago
Amazing, I absolutely would live there. I wish there were pic of the inside.
autumnsolace101593 9 years ago
https://www.boredpanda.com/retired-ladies-live-their-dreamlife-in-the-woods/
Load More Replies... Yvonne Bernal 9 years ago
Why place a huge slab of cement among the trees? Isn't it contradictory?
Brit Sehnsucht 5 years ago
Love the pool & the outside from a non-aerial view! The aerial view irritates me for some reason.
Sharon Dvora 6 years ago
I love this dream house complex... cozied up around a central pool of water ;-)
#3
Preschool In Japan Collects Rainwater Into Puddles For Kids To Play In
Ly Nguyen 9 years ago
I mean, it just fell from the sky so unless the floor is terribly dirty which it doesn't look like it the water is clean.
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Andrew Wozniak 9 years ago
Pre school in Japan is like public school here. it all tax payer funded and has a much higher value placed on it then educations does here.
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#4
Ebisu East Gallery In Shibuya, Tokyo
Spencer Wass 7 years ago
I think night time would heighten the difference along with the lighting
#5
Tiny House In Tokyo
Yvonne Bernal 9 years ago
OMGoodness Emily Rose..... you made me laugh out loud. Hilarious!
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over opinionated 9 years ago
Cute. what's the inside like? the layout must have needed serious thought.
#6
Namba Parks In Osaka
James Floyd 9 years ago
The architect of Namba Parks was inspired by the Grand Canyon. It's a nice shopping mall with a cool elevator and access to terraces on top
Gabriela Fiscu 9 years ago
Truly breathtaking! I turned to my spouse and told him: "this is one of the reasons why we must visit and see Japan!" i can't wait! congratulations on achieving the most brilliant, beautiful, and practical architectural designs
#7
Sugamo Shinkin Bank In Kawaguchi
#8
House & Garden, Tokyo
Thuong Vu 9 years ago
I don't think it's safe for children. Looks like the balcony on the second and third floor do not have any railing/security.
Radu Negoita 6 years ago
They have a different view on safety. I think they like to think that people have real-time awareness
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#9
Acros Building In Fukuoka, Japan
#10
Ribbon Chapel In Hiroshima
Gabriela Fiscu 9 years ago
certainly different and appealing to the eye, creative and the location is supers - it fits the purpose and design of the building. love it
#11
Unusual Slide House In Japan
OdangaUsagi 9 years ago
Imagine how rich this person must be! Land is pricey in Japan, and they have a house large enough for a slide. O_O
Marie-claude Favier 8 years ago
I suppose the slide replace the stairs ? Much safer when you think about it
Load More Replies... Brit Sehnsucht 5 years ago
A slide in a house is an awesome idea, I love the windows & flooring in the living room but I hate how white & sterile the house is.
Gabriela Fiscu 9 years ago
brilliant idea for homes filled with children or child care centers.
#12
Nakagin Capsule Tower, Tokyo, Japan
Supernatural Cryptic 9 years ago
When I look at this building from the outside my claustrophobia is kicked in. =/
Marcel Kuhne 9 years ago
~We all live in a laundry washing machine, laundry washing machine, laundry washing machine.~
Simon Kwan 9 years ago
It's actually decades old and almost abandoned. It was an experiment but most people found it terribly uncomfortable to actually live there
#13
Sugamo Shinkin Bank / Shimura Branch Azusawa, Itabashi-ku, Japan
Yvonne Bernal 9 years ago
You're RIGHT Cassie. I just looked them up - all the images were indeed VERY colorful!
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#14
Tokyo Apartments
It's Caturday 8 years ago
I'd be a bit nervous to live in the top right one...doesn't seem too stable, methinks
#15
Nasu Teepee House In Nasu, Japan
James Wermuth 9 years ago
Some interesting visual lines but not one of them has a soul. The cultural dissonance is all too clear, sort of that historic time when Soviet architects converted Gropius's intelligent ideas into brutal. Beware Japan when their architects reflect their rich architectural heritage as exhibited. Prof. James Wermuth
#16
Omotesando Branches In Tokyo
#17
Transparent House In Japan
Radu Negoita 6 years ago
I think they worry less about how their bodies look to the others, unlike us Westerners. Everything else is considered normal human activity, nothing to hide. Either that or they are a family of performance artists
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#19
Sayama Forest Chapel
#20
Dear Ginza Building By Amano Design Office, Tokyo, Japan
#22
Reversible Destiny Lofts In Tokyo
Carin Huber 9 years ago
These are actually apartments for the elderly. No joke. They make tenants feel more youthful through color and playful design.
#23
Miyahata Jōmon Museum In Fukushima, Japan
Owen Lutwyche 4 years ago
The brutalist concrete contrasts very nicely with the sterile, modern wooden ceiling
#24
Tsuzumimon Gate, Kanazawa Station, Kanazawa
#25
Sunny Hills Japan Dessert Shop In Omotesando, Tokyo
Fluttergirl 9 years ago
It kind of looks like a bunch of baby gates stacked on top of one another.
#26
Apartment – House In Chiba, Japan
Richard Pickman 9 years ago
The open space looks like a good idea but the angles of the walls seem impractical.
#27
Mikimoto Ginza 2 Building In Tokyo
#29
Ghost House, Tokyo, Japan
Arrow Yazzie 4 years ago
I would paint it softer color, like say, egg-shell white...this is too white, almost like an insane asylum
#30
Grin Grin Building At Island City In Fukuoka City
#31
N Village In Iwate Prefecture, Japan
Robert Herczeg 9 years ago
interesting, this is something that I'd expect in a nordic country rather than Japan.
#32
O House In Kyoto, Japan
#33
Mirrored Entrance To 'Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku' Shopping Complex In Tokyo, Japan
Mary Tonningsen 9 years ago
Oh, I'd be smashing into mirrors within about 2 minutes!
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#34
Yakisugi House (charcoal House) In Nagano, Japan
Owen Lutwyche 4 years ago
I really like the awkward style. makes it look like some kind of stalking, ghoul-like creature
Brit Sehnsucht 5 years ago (edited)
Awe 😍😍😍 This speaks to me!!! 🖤💛🖤 It's Studio Ghibli meets Salem, MA!!!! I'm in love!!!
#35
S-House In Oomiya, Saitama, Japan
#36
Hoki Museum In Midori Ward, Chiba, Japan
#37
House In Muko
#38
House In Saijo, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
#40
Half And Half House
#41
Cocoon Tower, Shinjuku, Tokyo
#42
Za-Koenji Public Theatre In Suginami-Ku, Tokyo
#43
A House Awaiting Death In Ise, Mie Prefecture, Japan
Sofi and the Cheshire Cat 9 years ago
Yeah, wonder who came up with that name...
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#47
Urbanprem Minami Aoyama Commercial Building In Tokyo, Japan
Nikita Jagora 8 years ago
If you don't like your neighbors, you can just roll your house somewhere else.
#50
K-Museum In Ariake, Tokyo
#51
Nanohana-Kan Communication And Recreation Plaza, Ibusuki, Japan
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What do you think ?
Shruti Naik 8 years ago
Initially looked like some fancy façade work but the exteriors and interiors seem to merge so beautifully while still allowing complete access to the elements...
Village Talkies 2 months ago
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Shruti Naik 8 years ago
Initially looked like some fancy façade work but the exteriors and interiors seem to merge so beautifully while still allowing complete access to the elements...
Village Talkies 2 months ago
A great blog, it has a lot of useful information to me. Village Talkies is a top quality professional 3D architectural walkthrough animation company in Abu Dhabi and best 3D Rendering Company in Abu Dhabi providing Marketing & Sales videos, Safety video production, Post production and video editing services, 3D Architectural Visualization and Walkthrough Services along with luxury interior designs and exterior designs and more.
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