The most challenging portion of my trip to Japan was the time in Tōhoku’s recovering disaster areas, but I spent the majority of my visit in urban Japan. The first half of my trip was structured around Kobe, where I was exhibiting my Isolated Building Studies, and Tokyo served as the base for the second half of the excursion. Whether in Kobe, Tokyo or Sendai, I was excited to have the opportunity to experience Japan’s distinctive urban character alongside some of the most idealistic examples of mid-century architecture — and some of the boldest contemporary styles. The following photographs feature the most typical and atypical locations.
![Yaesu Buildings](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5536/12050206523_f6f3956fce.jpg)
![Akihabara Buildings](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3766/12114191645_bcf993070e.jpg)
Representative buildings in the Yaesu and Akihabara districts of Tokyo
Kisho Kurokawa’s Nakagin Capsule Tower and Kenzō Tange’s Shizuoka Press and Broadcasting Center, both in Tokyo
Aoyama Kitamachi Danchi, a social housing development on the edge of Tokyo’s Omotesando commercial district
[Special thanks go to Luis Mendo, who walked me through this district.]
SANAA’s Christian Dior Omotesando and Herzog & de Meuron’s Prada Aoyama, both in Tokyo
Ciel Rouge Création’s Harajuku Protestant Church in Tokyo and Toyo Ito’s Sendai Mediatheque in Sendai
A restaurant just beyond Tokyo Station
Looking over Kobe from the Hyogo Prefectural Kobe High School
Ubiquitous vending machines in Tokyo, Kobe and Tokyo, respectively
A typical commercial street near downtown Kobe
A typical mixed-use street near Tokyo’s famous Omotesando shopping district