“Hinashizaka Slope on the left, and Fujimizaka Slope on the right. Apparently you could see Mt Fuji from here on the early 1900s. Likely blocked nowadays.”
Old Architecture Looks Like In Japan (30 Pics)
History, although not always correct, is very important to our society. Without it, there would be no traditions to follow today, culture to appreciate, or memories of our ancestors that we can learn so much from.
Instagram account Japan Property Central shares a really important part of history—architecture. Their photographers travel around Japan, capturing the oldest buildings and how they look. How they’re being used today. Many of them have been repurposed to be something else, like hotels, shops, or even homes.
The buildings are really beautiful and unique. The way they harmonize with the modern world around them is an amazing sight to see. These buildings are like monuments of history, a portal which transports you to old times.
More info: Instagram | japanpropertycentral.com
We got an interview with Zoe. She told us the main goal behind these photos: “To share the interesting buildings and homes in Tokyo and other parts of Japan, and the history and stories behind them. The older homes may be at risk of being demolished and redeveloped, so I want to try and document them while they are still standing. Sometimes I am too late.”
“A tatami shop in Tsukiji, Tokyo. Built sometime in the 1920s or 1930s, and still seems to be operating today. The building is a great surviving example of the pre-war shophouses found in Tsukiji and around Tokyo’s other historic merchant districts. If you look at the roof line you can see a line of windows showing a 3rd floor or attic that may have been added at a later date.”
Here’s how Zoe got into photographing these buildings: “Out of necessity. I run a real estate brokerage and the property photos we receive from listing agents do not always show the property in the best possible light. Many times there are no photos at all. Many of our buyers are foreigners and expect high-quality photos before they will decide to inspect a home or apartment, especially if they are flying in from overseas. Often I will have to go and take the photos myself. I am still very much a beginner at photography.”
“The entrance to the Edo Senke tea ceremony estate in Ueno, Tokyo. The buildings are historic, having been shifted here from a Daimyo’s mansion in the 1860s. Wooden tea houses are relatively easy to dismantle and relocate, and it wasn’t unusual for old buildings or even parts of them to be moved and reused. It still happens today on occasion. When people talk about Japan’s scrap-and-build approach to buildings, they are not referring to the traditional construction methods that last centuries. Alas, the grounds of this estate are privately owned and not open to the public.”
“Futaba Sushi, Ginza. First opened in 1877. The current building dates from the 1950s. Note the sushi ‘yatai’ cart built into the ground floor, right in the center. Sorry, no photography allowed inside the restaurant.”
Zoe shares the difficulties she runs into while capturing the photos: “Trying to get a shot without a car or van blocking the building. I usually wait until there are no pedestrians or cars in the frame. It might only be a few minutes, but other times I have to come back later. Another challenge is that the streets are often very narrow (some streets are just 2 meters wide), so you need a wide-angle lens for some locations.”
“Gion Shirakawa at dusk. This laneway is a cobblestone shortcut near Shirakawa River. If you follow it you’ll end up at Shijo Street.”
“Kiyomizu-dera Temple and its hinoki wood stage. Founded in 778. I wonder if this is the quietest it has ever been in its 1200 year history. The main hall and stage were built entirely without the use of nails (or screws) in 1633. The wooden foundation pillars below stand 13 meters tall and are made from 400-year old trees.
The main hall was covered in scaffolding for over three years while the roof was redone, and only just removed in February 2020. It had been 50 years since the bark-thatched roof had been replaced.
Many of the buildings within the temple grounds date from the mid-1600s. There were a few fires up until that point that had destroyed the even older structures.”
“In my free time, I like to explore different neighborhoods and share some stories about the interesting buildings I find along the way. If I have an afternoon or an evening free, I’ll go for a walk around all the back streets of a neighborhood in search of some interesting buildings. You are almost guaranteed to find a few no matter where you go. Sometimes I will have a particular house in mind, or be in the neighborhood checking out listings for sale and use it as an opportunity to explore a little and take some photos.”
Here is how Zoe describes her style: “Chaotic. The city is just a jumble of power lines, street signs, bicycles, and construction. I would love to take clean and uncluttered photos but I am realizing that it is impossible in Tokyo. I no longer notice all the transformer boxes and power lines anymore.”
“Once Upon a Time. A bar in a historic brick storehouse in Yushima, Tokyo. Built sometime in the late 1800s. The bar owner has been renting this space since the mid-1970s. Downstairs has a bar counter and tables, while the 2nd floor has an event space.
Not sure how much longer this historic building will remain standing. The property owner wants to demolish it rather than repair it, with news of its potential future demise first reported back in 2013. Last year there were stories that it would close in 2022.”
“An old shophouse alongside the Ikenoue Shopping Street in Tokyo. This would have once had a shop on the ground floor, but has been converted into a private residence some time ago.”
“It has always been a personal interest. There’s an assumption that Tokyo is a big metropolis of shiny glass buildings and neon lights, but it’s a very old city with lots of more humble, older, and traditional streets that don’t get featured in the tourist guides. Something is charming about them, especially when they have a very worn patina and are lived-in and cared for,” said Zoe about how she came up with the idea to photograph old buildings.”
I started putting more effort into my company’s Instagram account about three years ago. I still have a very long list of places to share and neighborhoods to visit. I don’t think I will be stopping any time soon.”
“The Ogawa Dorayaki Store alongside Asakusa-dori Avenue. Dorayaki is made from two pancakes or pikelets with red bean paste filling. This little shop was a hold-out, and is now sandwiched between a 13-story office building on all three sides.”
“This shophouse was built in 1918 as a hardware store. At a later point it housed a bar and restaurant but has sat vacant for the past few years.”
“There’s something about living in a constantly evolving city like Tokyo that is very energizing and motivating. There’s always something to see or somewhere to visit. It’s also a very safe and clean place to live, and it is incredibly easy to get around by train with no need for a car. Some of the architects and building designs are among the best in the world. My favorite ones are the weird and unusual homes often built on tiny plots of land in the middle of the city. You have to be very creative to come up with some of the designs, especially when the land itself might be just 50 square meters in size.”
“Café Sakanoshita – a charming place inside a 90-year old renovated kominka house. Closed on Mondays. Unfortunate timing!”
“Tenyasu Tsukudani, a store selling simmered and preserved food since 1838. This shophouse was built in the 1920s. The streets would have once been lined with buildings like this.
This part of Tsukuda has a history going back 400 years, and is where the traditional tsukudani preserved food originated.”
Here is what inspires Zoe: “Being able to continue to connect with all kinds of wonderful people who are also into Japanese architecture, new and old, and who like to explore different neighborhoods. The most unexpected and fun part is seeing sketch artists in other countries create amazing artwork from photos I posted.”
“Tsuruse traditional inn and kaiseki restaurant. Built from Hinoki cypress wood in the 1920s~1930s, but the restaurant has been operating even longer. The outdoor terrace dining deck along Kamo River is the largest of its kind in Japan, seating over 200.”
“The Philosopher’s Path (or walk). A peaceful path alongside the Biwa Canal. The historic canal was completed in 1890 and the 1.8-kilometer long walking trail was completed in 1968 thanks to efforts by local residents. It was named to honor Nishida Kitarō (1870-1945), said to be Japan’s most influential and significant philosopher of the 20th century. He would walk along this path each day on his way to teach at Kyoto University. He later moved to Kamakura, and his home there has been preserved to this day.”
Zoe gives some advice to photographers and artists out there in the world: “It’s okay if you don’t know what you are doing or don’t have a particular goal with what you are currently doing. Do what makes you happy and gives you the most joy creating. Maybe it will lead you somewhere?”
“Tea House ‘Go-an’ by Terunobu Fujimori. Part of the Pavilion Tokyo 2021 / Tokyo Tokyo FESTIVAL being held in connection with the 2020 Olympics. Fujimori is known for his creative and often elevated tea house designs that are far from traditional. This one resembles a ‘yagura’ watchtower with a grass-covered base (the same turf used on race tracks) and burnt cedar walls. The ceiling is decorated with crushed cedar pieces. To enter, you must crawl through a small circular door at the rear and climb a ladder to the tea room upstairs. The tea house is a temporary structure and will be disassembled when the exhibit ends on September 5, 2021. Viewing the interior requires advance bookings.”
“This group of three shophouses in Nihonbashi was listed for sale a little over a month ago for ¥149 million (US$1.35 million), and appears to have already sold, if the removal of all of the online listings is any indication. That means demolition is likely looming.
The terraces date from the 1920s or 1930s and are on Chuo City’s list of early 20th century modern architecture. Sadly being on that list, or having any type of official heritage recognition, doesn’t provide any legal protection to prevent these historic buildings from being demolished. A few from the list have been torn down in recent years, and more will follow. They are a wonderful example of kanban-kenchiku (#看板建築), or billboard style architecture.
The terraces sit on 92 sqm of commercially zoned land, and some suggested redevelopment plans for a 13-story block of 17 units with a potential gross yield of 8% have been provided. That’s a hugely impressive yield and a very low price for land like this. There’s a good reason, too – the land is leasehold. It’s the old, and almost perpetually renewable leasehold type, and the landowner is a major real estate company, so there is some stability with that type of landlord.
The majority of land in Tokyo and across Japan is freehold, but occasionally you might encounter a leasehold property. It’s really important that you fully understand the costs, pros and cons, and legal entitlements and obligations that come with leasehold properties, as they can easily be a source of disputes and troubles for the inexperienced.”
The author tells us more about herself and her journey: “I first moved here about 15 years ago, after growing up in a rural part of Australia. I first got involved in the real estate industry in Japan in 2008 and opened my own real estate brokerage company in 2014. I did not speak any Japanese when I first moved here but studied for a long time after I arrived. You need to be fluent to work in real estate here as all of the sellers and agents will only speak Japanese, and all of the documentation and legal explanations are also in the Japanese language only.”
“The Yasaka Pagoda in Hōkan-ji Temple, Kyoto. First built in 592. It was destroyed in a fire in 1191 that broke out after a dispute between Kiyomizu Temple and Yasaka Shrine and had to be rebuilt. In 1291 it was struck by lightning and rebuilt in 1309. It was lost again to a fire in 1436. The current pagoda dates from 1440, making it 581 years old. The foundation stone for the central pillar of the pagoda is said to be the original one from over 1,400 years ago.”
“Fujiya Ryokan and its ‘kawadoko’ river floor dining set up for the hot summer months. These floating floors first appeared over the Kibune River in the 1910s~1920s and have become a summer tradition ever since. Several restaurants and ryokans along this section of the river set up these tatami dining areas each year.
Fujiya Ryokan has one of the longest histories in the area, having been founded in the 1830s~1840s. ”
“If you do get the chance to visit Japan in the future, don’t be afraid to skip some of the over-touristy areas and explore some of the more local neighborhoods. Instead of Shibuya Crossing, for example, I would go for a wander to try all of the coffee shops around Yoyogi-Koen, a 15-minute walk north, or head a few stations over to Shimokitazawa for some vintage clothing. If you are into old architecture, there is the Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Architectural Museum in Tokyo and the Meiji-mura museum in Nagoya (highly recommended!). Otherwise, you can still see a few old buildings around Tokyo’s former merchant districts like Tsukiji and Nihonbashi.”
“The offices of a prune company near Shibuya Station. Designed by Yuzo Nagata on behalf of Takenaka Corporation and built in 1985. The facade is clad in small granite tiles. Nagata founded his own architectural practice that same year. His works are often statement pieces with detailed tiled facades. Several of his designs are large private residences, including one in Omotesando.”
“The former home of actor Denjiro Okochi, famous for starring in many samurai-themed movies. His two-hectare estate sits on the hillside just above the Arashiyama bamboo path and has sweeping views over Kyoto City. His main residence pictured above is called Daijokaku. It was built by Sukiya-zukuri master Kaichiro Usui and was completed in 1941.
The grounds are open to the public as the Okochi Sanso Garden, with an admission fee of ¥1,000 per person.”
“The Toranomon Osaka-ya Sunaba Soba Restaurant. The current building was completed just before the 1923 Kanto Earthquake, although the restaurant itself has been operating since 1872. It was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property in 2011.”
“The entrance to the Ro-an Teahouse in Shōsei-en Garden. The gate leads to a tea garden and represents the delineation of the serenity of the tea ceremony and the chaos of the world outside. This tea house was rebuilt in 1957. The garden and its structures were destroyed twice by fires, once in 1858 and again in the 1864 riot.”
“The former Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa. Built in 1925, although part of the home dates from the 1880s, having been detached and relocated here from their other, larger villa near Sanjo Street (since demolished). The European-influenced part of the house was the newer portion built in 1925. Despite the grandeur, this home was built as a rest-stop for when they visited their ancestral shrine nearby. The property was transferred to the national government in 1949, and from 1951 to 2007 it was used as the official residence of the president of the Kyoto Family Court.”
“The merchant house of Nakashima Shokai. Built in 1928. The decorative sheet copper facade is a wonderful example of billboard architecture (kanban-kenchiku).”
“A traditional setting in Tokyo’s Kanda district. An early postwar house now swamped by office buildings. Miraculously the sun is still able to shine down on the narrow laneway.”
“Seikoro Ryokan, Kyoto. Established in 1831 as a traditional inn. The current buildings date from 1901 and 1921.”
Note: this post originally had 100 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Old Architecture Looks Like In Japan (30 Pics)
Wednesday, 13 September 2023
History, although not always correct, is very important to our society. Without it, there would be no traditions to follow today, culture to appreciate, or memories of our ancestors that we can learn so much from. Instagram account Japan Property Central shares a really important part of history—architecture. Their photographers travel around Japan, capturing the
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We Built Our Own Camper From Scratch Out In The Desert
We are no strangers to camping. In fact, we have been living almost exclusively on the road, frequenting BLM and national forest lands, since 2018, and have gone through four campsites at that time. After a special work that planted us in one place for three months, we set off (mostly indifferent to the horizon) just as the effects of the pandemic hit the nation and the world: March 2020.
But we wanted something better than the cheaply built, often problematic RVs we were used to. We wanted something with hard sides (for safety) but not too heavy and bulky, as that would be a burden to transport along the way and limit where we could go.
A generous pile of 2 × 2 wood – we end up buying quite a bit more
Having a truck already, we worked with what we had. One of the bigger lessons I’ve learned over the years on the road is not to focus on what you don’t have, but to work to the limits and “do what you can, with what you have, where you is. ”(This is a quote from varlet Bill Widener, often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt.)
Framing it
We recently sold our latest “camper van,” which was a basic fiberglass truck capsule designed for contractors and converted by us for camping. It was low profile and big enough for a bed and some storage.
Now is the time for something more suitable for us.
We wrapped the studs with aluminum flashing, a total of five rolls
The seams were taped with aluminum waterproof tape
What we have done is not perfect. We have not experienced builders. But my wife and I combined our knowledge of construction learned in part during our younger years by helping our parents with various home remodeling projects and building something we hoped we could make happy.
The circumstances in which we built our truck were not ideal … at least. We had no flat terrain.
Lightweight foam insulation was inserted and glued between each 2 × 2
Adding the bookcase; by that time, we had moved to a friend’s house to continue the work
It was north of Tucson, a BLM site with nothing but pale green, shrubbery, some well-chopped saguaros, and all dust. Military aircraft flew daily, along with some private gliders, which circled silently above; even the occasional parachute trainers fell at high altitude somewhere across Interstate 10, barely visible in the midday sun.
Here is the framework for our bench storage
The fifty watts of solar energy we got in wasn’t enough to power tools beyond filling up any 12V batteries for my drill that were old, tired, and barely charged. Naturally, all woodcuts were made by hand.
The 2 × 2 wood at Home Depot was curved, knotted and prone to splitting.
Our budget was very limited due to difficulties I was able to fill a book discussion.
We got this cool vintage door and I framed it to fit using stained wood from an old bed frame
But in the end, we got framed in the camper and had a proper shell. At the time it was light enough to get into the back of our old Ford truck.
Over time, people with materials and various aids (you know who you are, and we always appreciate your help).
A beautiful sunset captured during the construction
100 watts of sunscreen tied to our signature blue awning, made of metal futon, which we bought for $ 20
Finally, the pieces came together and we had something workable. We recycled a lot of material and took advantage of our limited resources, forcing ourselves to work almost exclusively with what we had at our disposal, only by buying things considered absolutely essential.
What you see in the video (link at the end) is a tour of where we are right now. We have plans for more, but the project has reached a point where we are happy to share it with those looking for ways to live simply and cheaply and build their own platforms with a very limited budget.
It’s always good to see free electricity coming in!
Eventually, the camper becomes more domestic; the left “wall” is the bottom of the folding bed
The sofa and roof
We then added two windows to light and ventilate
The “New” truck with a freshly painted wooden flat bed
Then we added some steps
We hope you can gather some ideas for your own built-in project, as doing it yourself will ultimately save you a lot of money, give you the personal nuances, and hopefully give you the longevity you probably won’t get from most anything on the RV market.
Wild horses visiting our back door
Camping in the mountains at a new favorite place
Another of the greatest lessons I have learned and paid attention to: the most worthy things are also the most difficult; realizing something good can and will destroy you until the desire to stop completely. I have felt that many times. But you go on, it’s over, and you’re glad (and probably amazed) that you did it. Make no mistake: living on the road is NOT easy. Behindus behind all the good sunshine, beach campfires, spotless RV interiors and bright Instagram smiles are perhaps a near-train wreck. Vehicles break down, curtains stain, finances run out, plans fail, people fail, the weather prevents everything (although these are things that happen in any life scenario). But van life, bus life and truck life can be a much simpler and cheaper way to live. And if nothing else, you can’t surpass the ability to change your backyard (and your neighbors) whenever you want.
Some perspective … a little life in a big world
Stay tuned to Feeta Blog to learn more about architecture, Lifestyle and Interior Design.
We Built Our Own Camper From Scratch Out In The Desert
Monday, 28 June 2021
We are no strangers to camping. In fact, we have been living almost exclusively on the road, frequenting BLM and national forest lands, since 2018, and have gone through four campsites at that time. After a special work that planted us in one place for three months, we set off (mostly indifferent to the horizon)
Rounded-Edge Furniture & Comforting Curves
Do you like Architecture and Interior Design? Follow us …
Round-edge furniture and curved interior architecture create a comforting, touching design aesthetic. Round furniture makes it possible to form arrangements with a smooth and easy flow, no matter what the size of the room. In compact spaces, rounded edges are the perfect solution to avoid awkward corners and tucked shins. In a large living space, curved furniture can make a distinctive and striking focus. These sleek individuals work beautifully when paired with elegant architectural arches, round feature windows and serpentine partitions for a cohesive theme. Alternatively, sharp geometric contours can make a clearly contrasting option. Take a look at these two round-home interiors for curved inspiration.
A curved sofa immediately shows the shaped theme in the center of a smooth white and gray interior scheme.
The deep curved bases of the coffee tables set a heavy, palpable aesthetic. A free rug design creates additional contrast underfoot.
A coffee table book and decorative glass bowls adorn the two tables, while a set of decorative vases fills an attractive round borehole in the microcement partition.
The interior window is shaped to complement a number of round feature windows and rounded rectangular windows within the main architecture.
The TV was mounted to one side of the round aperture in the partition wall, which gives each of them equal prominence in the living room layout. A view of the neighboring dining room is visible through the gap, which gives the living space an open, free-flowing feel.
An elevated wooden platform creates a two-level layout in the living room. The space under the platform is open to give the feature a light, floating effect. Three hovering access steps reinforce the illusion.
The platform is used to raise a small seat to a wonderful natural panorama of tree-lined hillsides.
Indoor plants bring natural greenery to the living room, to further blur the lines between inside and outside.
Cylindrical silhouettes form a small side table and a matching coffee table in the raised seat. Project chairs create attractive, comforting curves, and echo the round architectural embrace.
The thick partition wall between the living room area and the adjoining dining room follows a relaxed curved path to avoid disturbing the silky smooth surroundings.
The glossy metal frame of the modern chandelier makes a light-reflecting contrast with a room with mainly matte finishes.
The interior window facilitates a natural light part between the two separate living spaces.
The round dining table coordinates with the curve of the modern sofa through the connecting window.
The limited tonal palette of the interior emphasizes the shaped thread.
A ribbed glass vase forms a textural connection between the base of the pedestal dining table and its main ornament. A modern fruit bowl performs the simple arrangement.
The kitchen creates a contradiction to the rounded theme, with a sharp, geometric island design.
Corner sides define the unique kitchen island, which gives the kitchen its own distinctive atmosphere.
Inserted track lights glow brightly through the subtle cement ceiling, adding to the sharp change of theme, and exaggerating the linearity of the island below.
Sliding doors simplify the kitchen tower units behind the island. Black integrated ovens lie dark in the wood effect.
Wide shelves contain cutlery and decorative accessories. Glass glasses contain the fashionable ribbed textured accent of the dining room.
A huge custom sink projects itself into the island counter.
An interlaced inductive hob completes the workshop.
Coastal atmospheres wash through our second prominent home interior. Shells, waves and footprints in the sand emerge from its round, pebble-gray furniture and free-form corners. A hexagonal coffee table creates a cut of exact contrast.
The textured carpet creates a barefoot feel, while a wall of unique niche shelf niches nourishes the eye.
Curious design objects fill the hollow surface of the unique coffee table. The sunken column chapter is a small-scale model of the Capitello chair of Franco Audrito and Piero Gatti. The highlight is The Knot by Stockholm sculptor Tove Tengå.
The palpable, irregularly shaped floor lamp next to the sofa appears to be a modified version of Eny Lee Parker Oo floor lamp.
Glass arches climb to the high ceiling height, accepting glorious sunlight.
Geometric floor tiles compensate for the rounded decorative elements.
Wall tiles were cut into a curve to finish the kitchen back spout, which completes a round base unit.
The creative back splash transforms the one wall kitchen composition into a piece of functional art.
Refrigerator SMEG green SMEG brings back-inspired curves.
A green chimney extractor draws the accent color. A copper kitchen faucet makes a brilliant addition.
An open kitchen shelf follows the top of the tiled back splash, ending in a matching rounded corner. Glass jars create an attractive open storage area for dryers. Small plants add green bloom.
A range of wooden cutting boards connects with the rustic look of the rich wooden and ceramic kitchen layout. See options for cutting board and knife here.
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Rounded-Edge Furniture & Comforting Curves
Monday, 28 June 2021
Do you like Architecture and Interior Design? Follow us … Thank you. You have been subscribed. Round-edge furniture and curved interior architecture create a comforting, touching design aesthetic. Round furniture makes it possible to form arrangements with a smooth and easy flow, no matter what the size of the room. In compact spaces, rounded edges
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