Japanese buildings are truly a wonderful sight to behold. They blend in well with their surroundings, boasting exquisite local materials and the creative minds of the architects responsible for the design. One Japanese architect that should be on your radar is Kuma Kengo. His works are so fascinating that he was named as the only architect in Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people of 2021. So, visiting these ten buildings that were designed by him could really spice up your trip in Japan!

1)    Japan National Stadium 

Prior to Tokyo Olympics 2020, Kuma Kengo was already well known for his masterpieces, but one work that really propelled him to be a household name on the world stage is the 68,000-seat Japan National Stadium. As global audiences stayed glued to their television sets during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics 2020, they took in eagerly its thoughtful design that leveraged greenery and man-made materials.

The Japan National Stadium boasts a main structure that is made from reinforced concrete and steel. Sheltered by a roof structure made of steel with laminated larch and cedar trusses, it uses wood procured from prefectures across Japan to make eaves - a feature that is soothing for your eyes. Similarly, serving as a nice contrast with the concrete and steel, the circulation areas located at the edges of each level contain 47,000 plants. This not only provides a respite for your eyes, but also allows it to blend with the surrounding garden.

2)    Takanawa Gateway Station

Once you arrive in Tokyo, you will likely use the Yamanote train line to get to the different attractions. But do you know that Takanawa Gateway Station - the newest station on the Yamanote train line - is a must-visit destination in itself?

Takanawa Gateway Station evokes a warm and inviting appearance with its laminated wooden beams that exemplify traditional Japanese aesthetic sensibilities. Also be greeted by the soothing walls that have been lined with cedarwood from the Tohoku region in Japan.

Another feature to watch out for is its roof because it is inspired by origami and makes you marvel at how it deftly incorporates the art of origami and gives it a novel twist. Admire at how natural sunlight filters through this semi-transparent Teflon membrane roof, illuminating the station in the most rejuvenating way ever. What’s more, it glows a warm ember at night, thus uplifting weary commuters’ spirits always.

3)    Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center

Travellers often visit the renowned Senso-ji Temple while they are in Tokyo. You can, however, pack more worth into your itinerary by visiting Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center which is located right across the street.

Arresting your sight, Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center is composed of seven stacked eaves, or overhanging roofs. This helps it resemble seven one-story buildings stacked on top of each other, which complements the nearby five-storied Senso-ji Temple rather nicely. You will marvel at how spiritual and commercial spaces coexist seamlessly in the same space.

After looking at the entire structural layout of Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, it is time for you to explore the details. For example, wooden louvers are placed at random intervals, which add to its artistic merit.

4)    Sunny Hills Japan

During your trip, you may be inclined to set aside time for shopping as you want to buy souvenirs for your loved ones back home. Hence, why don’t you optimize your shopping experience by visiting one of Kuma Kengo’s creations, Sunny Hills Japan?

Hailing from Taiwan, Sunny Hills Japan is a popular pineapple cake shop that is located in the fashionable district of Minami-Aoyama. Besides its scrumptious signature pineapple cakes, it is also a visual feast for the eyes. Adhering to Kuma Kengo’s penchant for wood, Sunny Hills Japan displays blocks of wood that are interwoven together to form a lattice-like structure.

Some people will think that the lattice-like structure looks like a woven cloth while others will interpret it as a nest. But regardless of the symbol you think it represents, you will find that it makes you feel serene and comfortable, which may in turn subconsciously comfort and security, which may influence you to buy more pineapple cakes!

5)    Starbucks Coffee Dazaifutenmangu Omotesando Store

If Sunny Hills Japan catches your fancy, you might just want to head over to Dazaifu in Fukuoka to view a building with a similar structure. Dazaifu attracts many students and their parents every year because it is home to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, which houses the God of Examinations.

Now you may not need to pray for good results but you could consider visiting Dazaifu because you will come across the Starbucks Coffee Dazaifutenmangu Omotesando Store on the bustling path that leads to the shrine.

Similar to Sunny Hills Japan, this Starbucks store comprises a facade that has many wooden sticks that are beautifully woven together in diagonal formations. You will realise how Kuma Kengo expertly executes his lattice-like structural concept as you will observe how 2000 wooden barons interweave to form a lattice when you step inside the Starbucks store. Enjoy this lovely sight as you sip your coffee!

6)    Nezu Museum

Keen to observe how Kuma Kento utilises other materials besides wood? Here is your chance. After you patronize Sunny Hills Japan, you can also visit Nezu Museum, which is in the vicinity of Minami-Aoyama. Nezu Museum will appeal to arts aficionados because it contains a wide collection of Japanese and Asian premodern art.

Kuma Kengo brings you on a spiritual journey as you walk down a long outdoor path that leads to the entrance. This is because you see bamboo-clad walls on one side and pebbles flanked with green plants on the other side. You can almost pretend that you are in Arashiyama, the famous bamboo forest in Kyoto.

Once inside, be prepared to stare transfixed at the double-height interiors and glass walls that stretch over 40,000 square feet. All the better to put you in the mood for art!

7)    Suntory Museum of Art

Kuma Kengo’s creativity knows no boundaries, as can be best illustrated by the case of Suntory Museum of Art in Tokyo.This museum showcases pottery and porcelain works, so he employed ceramic panels to complement these art collections nicely. What’s more, these panels are strategically positioned as vertical louvers throughout the buildings so that natural light enters the exhibition halls and imbues them with an airy feel.

The interior of the museum also yields a pleasant experience. Kuma Kengo used wood and washi paper accents that gave off a sense of tranquillity as he wanted to create an “urban living room”. You will surely feel that he has succeeded in his vision!

8)    ONE@Tokyo

Some of the above-mentioned buildings are a manifestation of Kuma Kengo’s ability of using wood to evoke calm and warm vibes. Hence, ONE@Tokyo is a three-star hotel that you might want to consider for your accommodation in Tokyo as it boasts wooden pieces that will accentuate a raw and edgy feel.

Within walking distance from Oshiage Subway Station, ONE@Tokyo is right smack in a district, in which contemporary buildings like Tokyo Skytree exist in harmony with ancient Edo-style buildings. This synergy must be what Kuma Kengo had in mind as he designed this hotel based on the theme: “Installation for Time Travel towards Historic Tokyo”.

You can observe how Kuma Kengo pays homage to the past with large wooden planks that are combined with extruded cement panels to create a factory-like setting on the ground floor. A lovely tribute to the light manufacturing industries that propelled Oshiage’s growth in the past.

9)    Toyama Kirari

Kuma Kengo is adept at constructing community spaces, displaying sensitive and empathetic design thinking as he considers the needs of the local residents. If you wish to observe how various facilities in the same building create an ecosystem that support local people’s everyday living, look no further than Toyama Kirari in Toyama City.

Serving as a one-stop destination, Toyama Kirari is a glass art museum, city bank, and local bank combined into one. You will surely be impressed with Kuma Kengo’s ingenuity as he astutely placed a diagonal void at the center of the building, which delineated these three facilities and gave each facility its unique space. Despite a strong sense of cohesion pervades throughout the building because of the shining facade that enables natural light to illuminate the spaces. This facade comprises glass, aluminium and granite that are produced in Toyama. Gape in awe at how they reflect light at different angles, which then fall on louvers that are locally sourced from cedar trees and brighten your spirits.

10) Toilets At Oath Hill Park

Avid hikers, take note! Kuma Kengo also creates structures that are splendidly nestled in the embrace of Mother Nature. You may want to hike on a popular hiking trail on the eastern outskirts of the town of Oyama in Japan.

Sweat it out and you will be rewarded by the sight of an observation deck that comes in the form of two umbrella canopies. If you think they resemble Mount Fuji, it’s because they are designed as such. Be sure to take a photo of these umbrella canopies that juxtapose beautifully against the tapering form and snowy peak of the distant Mount Fuji!

Even visiting the cylindrical restroom next to the observation deck is a fun experience as it comes in the form of an umbrella shape. Its walls are wrapped in a white render that echoes the colour of the roof that tops it as well as the snow on Mount Fuji. Just the thing to elevate your trip.

Closing Remarks

Visiting Kuma Kengo’s buildings is a great way to spice up your trip in Japan. Coming up close with them will give you a newfound appreciation of not just local materials, but also time-honored craftsmanship. Kuma Kengo’s talents are multifaceted as he has designed everything from stores and hotels to museums and community facilities. So if these ten buildings have whetted your appetite, be sure to visit more of his masterpieces such as Yusuhara Town - a tiny village in Shikoku that has several of his buildings - and Nagaoka City Hall Aore in Niigata. Happy travelling!