Interesting stuff from Japanese construction sites

Throughout the centuries, and still today, there has been a lot of interesting stuff going on at Japanese construction sites. Here is a bunch of pictures reflecting that. Eclectic madness. Low-key perfection and tacky exaggerations.



When I visited Kyoto in the late summer of 1997, the new station building had been finished earlier the same year and it was profoundly hated by many Kyotoites. Sometimes it takes a bit of perspective to appreciate what is good... This picture is taken from a part of the building that gives the impression of an artificial hill, fifteen stories high.



A thing of great beauty. And I used to hate glass facades. (Kyoto Station again, mirroring itself and the surrounding city.)



Kinkakuji, the golden pavilion temple. Not exactly the kind of aesthetic ideal that first comes to mind when you think of of the strict asceticism of Zen Buddhism. But it is really not to different from many other of these temples, only this time they covered it in 0.5 μm of pure gold.



The Osanbashi ferry terminal in Yokohama. I didn't get any pictures that could do this place justice, but it is well worth a visit. A fascinating and innovative approach to this kind of public space. And probably awesome for skateboarding.




One of the buildings at the Zuiganji temple in Takamatsu. Zuiganji is very famous but I do not think this particular house is. Just beautiful proportions and a nice example of the typical blurring of interior and exterior.



When talking about architecture and art, the gardens are not to be missed. This is the famous rock garden of the Ryoan-ji temple in Kyoto. The peak of Zen aesthetics.



Alright, this is a slight deviation from today's topic. But when the sign says rock garden, you just have to strike a pose, right? Imagine what could be done in those Zen gardens with some electric guitars and maybe a couple of off-road bikes...



Todaiji temple in Nara, founded in the eighth century. Wikipedia says it is the largest wooden building in the world. Today's temple is a reconstruction made in the eighteenth century after a fire, 30 percent smaller than the original.



Interior from Todaiji. It is pretty massive.



It is a carrot! No, it is golden poo! An architectural Rorschach test. Asakusa, Tokyo.



Typical Japanese street. Third World Chic, with power lines all over.



Another typical Tokyo street. Some of the houses are so thin. How can they fit anything useful into the floors of those bonsai skyscrapers?



National Art Center in Tokyo