Kiyonori Kikutake Architecture
Born: April 1, 1928
Died: Dec 26, 2011
Along with Kenzo Tange and Kisho Kurokawa, he was part of the metabolism movement.
Like many other architecture from his era, some of his works have already faced demolition. The Sofitel Tokyo, a 26 story building completed in 1994 saw a lifespan of only 14 years before being demolished in 2008. This was the first case in Japan where a building over 100 meters high had been torn down.
Sky House (1958)
This residence for the Kikutake family originally featured a raised foundation which can be seen in the left model. Rooms were added on the ground floor later on, following the ideas of the metabolism movement. The residence is still in use by family members, so it is not possible to see the interior.
The location is in Otsuka 1 chome of the Bunkyo Ward, near the Gokokuji Subway Station.
Edo-Tokyo Museum (1992)
Once you get off the train at JR Ryogoku Station, you'll immediately notice the massive building that appears right in front. Again, the raised foundation can be seen but this time on a bigger scale.
There has always been some criticism about how the design doesn't fit in with the surroundings, and it is also a reminder of the huge money spent on public projects during the "Bubble Economy" period.
The exhibits here give you a great understanding on the history of Tokyo going back to the early days when called Edo, so a visit here is highly recommended even if the architecture does not seem appealing.
As of 2023, the museum is closed for extensive renovations. The closure will continue through fiscal 2025.
National Showa Memorial Museum (1999)
The museum has exhibits on the Showa period (Emperor Hirohito era, 1923-1988), primary focusing on the hardships during and immediately after the Second World War. The windowless facade uses titanium panels.
Perhaps it is no coincidence that the museum opened just minutes away from the Yasukuni Shrine, the controversial facility dedicated to wartime victims.
The location is immediately outside the No. 4 Exit of the Kudanshita Station. The exhibit space is open from 10 am until 5:30 pm (Closed on Mondays)