For over a decade Tokyo Fox has focused on the modern architecture of Tokyo with a long-running ten part series featuring over 100 interesting-looking buildings. During that time I have also taken photos of some unique structures outside of the capital city but had no place to showcase them until now. This is Volume 8 which includes some weird and wonderful buildings in the Kyoto region.

5. Kyoto Concert Hall @ 1-26 Shimogamo Hangicho, Saikyo-ku, Kyoto – It may have been completed in 1995 but this elegant exterior, designed by famed architect Arata Isozaki, still looks very modern. It’s made up of three geometrical shaped buildings with the cylindrical one the star attraction. The shallow ponds surrounding it help to beautifully reflect the stunning appearance.

4. Konkokyo Karasuma Church @ 233 Shoshoicho, Nakagyo-Ku, Kyoto-ken – This religious facility maybe sandwiched between two bigger buildings but it stands out for the mysterious huge concrete boulder on top of it. It was completed in 1971 and several buildings with similar wall textures and designs were then present. Only this one has survived.

3. Oike Yukito Building @ 324 Oikenocho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto – The former three-storied headquarters of an apparel company called Italiad built in the bubble period to leave a lasting impression. The tall psuedo classical structure with two overlapping suns certainly makes a strong impact.

2. Kyoto International Conference Center @ 422 Iwakura Osagicho, Saikyo-ku, Kyoto – This futuristic-looking building was designed by architect Sachio Otani and it is where the Kyoto Protocol was signed. The center, which opened in 1966 with an addition in 1973, is a rather unusual building as there are few vertical walls or columns. It has been used in two international movies; ‘The Yakuza‘ (1974) and ‘The Challenge‘ (1982).

1. Life in Kyoto @ 46-2 Yamadahiraocho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto – This fortress is actually a luxurious nursing home with over 300 rooms. It was completed in 1986 and designed by Hiroyuki Wakabayashi who also designed the splendid Keihan Uji station among others. The stand out feature of this assisted living facility is the step-like design with each floor being set back in stages.

Click on the following links to see previous Modern Architecture Outside of Tokyo posts…

1. Hokkaido & Tōhoku   2. Tōhoku & Tochigi   3. Saitama, Chiba & Ibaraki   4. Kanagawa & Yamanashi   5. Shizuoka   6. Nagoya   7. Aichi & Gifu

Click on the following links to see previous Tokyo Modern Architecture posts…

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