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Nara's Eye-Catching Architecture
Nara is famous for its historic sites and ancient architecture. Anyone with an interest in architecture can appreciate the wonders of Horyuji Temple and the majestic proportions of Todaiji Temple. But you might not know that Nara also has some excellent modern architecture.
Nara may surprise you with its avant garde architecture
From the elegant Meiji era proportions of Nara Hotel to the sharp lines and bold shapes of Muro Art Forest, Nara may surprise you with its avant garde architecture.
- Nara Hotel
- Nara’s grandest hotel is a perfect example of late Meiji period architecture. Hotels Nara Park
Built in 1909, Nara Hotel was designed by Kingo Tatsuno, who also designed Tokyo Station. It was the premier western style hotel in Nara, hosting the likes of Albert Einstein and Audrey Hepburn. It still retains its grand 1930s atmosphere and the halls are lined with fascinating memorabilia.
there’s no mistaking the era
With its cool, brutalist concrete facade and modernist wood interior, there’s no mistaking the era of the Nara Prefectural Office. Built in 1965 by architect Mitsuo Katayama, it is very well preserved. Head up to the rooftop for great views over Nara Park.
- Nara Prefectural Office Rooftop
- Don’t miss the views from the rooftop of this modernist monolith. Activities & Experiences Nara Park
Surrounded by water, the building appears to float
Master architect Kisho Kurokawa, most famous for Tokyo’s Nakagin Capsule Tower, designed the Nara City Museum of Photography in 1989. It echoes the traditional houses and shrines around it, with an angled roof, which uses tiles based on those at Shinyakushiji Temple. Surrounded by water, the building appears to float.
- Nara City Museum of Photography
- An elegant mix of modern and traditional. Museums Nara Park
Kashihara City Museum of Insects stands out
Built in 1989, Kashihara City Museum of Insects stands out with its exotic design. Its soaring glass canopy roof arches to mimic an insect’s wings. Under the canopy, full sized tropical gardens house butterflies and bugs. If you’re squeamish about touching them, you can try virtual insect experiences.
- Kashihara City Museum of Insects
- The futuristic glass arches are straight out of a Sci-Fi movie. Museums Kashihara
dedicated to Japan’s oldest book of poetry
From the outside, Nara Prefecture Complex of Man'yo Culture, dedicated to Japan’s oldest Imperial anthology of waka poetry, seems unassuming. Built in 2001, it is in the shape of a traditional wooden storehouse, rendered in concrete. It is actually built on a hillside and conceals many of its features below ground.
- Nara Prefecture Complex of Man'yo Culture
- Clever design and a sympathetic update of traditional architectural styles. Museums Asuka
