Thu 17 Jun 2010
Japan Architecture Tour – October 2010
Posted by RDAYARCH Blog under Japan Architecture Tours, News
[11] Comments
Japan is a country of great contrast with architecture that is an eclectic mix of ancient and modern, east and west. Tokyo is a dynamic metropolis where you will find some of the world’s most unique and fascinating architecture. Kyoto is a city steeped in tradition with an abundance of ancient temples, shrines and gardens scattered throughout a bustling modern city. This tour will provide an excellent snapshot of the remarkable architecture of amazing Tokyo and historic Kyoto.
This is not just the typical sight seeing tour, but a definitive display of Japanese architectural expression that also affords the opportunity to meet with local Japanese architects and to visit some of the few remaining Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in Japan such as The Imperial Hotel at Meiji-Mura and Yamamura House in Hyogo.
A truly unique architectural experience, the tour will visit some of Tokyo’s newest contemporary masterpieces, famous classic buildings, art and architecture exhibitions, famous temples and gardens of Kyoto and other interesting tourist spots.
Architectural highlights include buildings such as Prada Boutique (Herzog and de Meuron), National Art Center Tokyo (Kurokawa), Mikimoto 2 (Toyo Ito), Omotesando Hills (Ando), 21-21 Design Site (Ando), Nezu Museum (Kengo Kuma), National Museum of Western Art (Le Corbusier), Olympic Gymnasium (Kenzo Tange) & Nakagin Capsule Building (Kurokawa)
This 10 day Japan Architecture Tour is conducted and guided by Architect, former Tokyo resident and Japan expert, Robert Day. For more information contact robert@rdayarch.com.au
Fantatsic trip, ideal for small business owner in terms of amount of time away from office. Time difference also means the odd call back to the troops not out of the question.
If you love your food, then Japan is the place ! Bring lots of cash as there is not as many credit card facilities as you woudl expect.
Robi San is very good at transit system and local ins and outs.
You will not be able to do this trip any quicker or cram more in than he could organise. I had initial reservation about `group holidays’ but all that is not applicable on this style of trip.
Enjoy, and thanks again Robi San (Mr. 7-11)
Hi Robert,
The tour looks really interesting. I like the idea of not having to travel to the US to see some Frank Lloyd Wright buildings. He has always been a favourite of mine. I was just wondering if you will be visiting the Jiyu Gakuen Girls’ School or the Aisaku Hayashi House as part of your October 2010 Japan Architecture Tour?
Do you have an itinerary that you can send to me? What places and buildings do you plan to visit?
Thanks,
Jenny
Hi Jenny,
We are looking to include a visit to the Jiyu Gakuen school as part of the October 2010 Japan Architecture Tour, however not the Hayashi House. I believe that it has been demolished, however I have been unable to have this confirmed definitively. It will be a great opportunity to see the only Frank Lloyd Wright buildings outside of North America.
As far as an itinerary goes, this is yet to be finalised, however we will be visiting many of the buildings and places that are featured in the Tour Diaries of our previous tours. Have a look at our website http://www.rdayarch.com.au/tours.html
There are usually many exhibitions to visit. For this tour there will be an exhibition of Architect Sosuke Fujimoto at Watarium (designed by Mario Botta), Gallery MA has an exhibition of Architecture students work and the National Art Center Tokyo (designed by Kisho Kurokawa) has a Van Gogh exhibition. The GA Gallery usually has an architecture exhibition in October, however their schedule is not confirmed as yet.
There is also a Man Ray exhibition at the Osaka Museum of Modern Art (designed by Cesar Pelli) which we also plan to visit.
I hope that this helps you a bit and that you will be able to join us on the tour.
Regards,
Robert
Thanks Robert, that all sounds fantastic! I hope that I will be able to organise everything so I can join the tour.
Jenny
I went on Robert Day’s Japan Architecture Tour in April this year and it was truly fantastic. As it was my first trip to Japan, I found so many aspects of the built environment, culture, character of the people, food and scenery fascinating.
Robert’s knowledge of Japan is extensive and he has great insight into the Japanese culture and lifestyle. Nigel and I appreciate good food and reasonably active holidays and were not disappointed on either score as we walked and toured every day. It was both visually stimulating as well as offering excellent food, and many places of contemporary architectural and historic interest.
The highlights include the contact with the Japanese Architects and local people; great meals in traditional restaurants; visits to the busy markets, beautiful parks and gardens, and the many fascinating buildings including those by Frank Lloyd Wright. Being immersed in such a safe, clean and welcoming culture made for an enjoyable trip on all counts. I realise I couldn’t have done it without Robert’s expert guidance. He packed loads into his well considered itinerary with excellent tips to give us a great experience.
Anyone interested in architecture, design, lifestyle, how cities work and Asian history would enjoy this tour. I work in an architectural office but am not an architect and hope to go on another tour in Japan with Robert Day.
I would highly recommend this tour to anyone considering a Japan Architecture Tour.
Our first taste of Japan was terrific. 10 full days of culture, architecture, great food and accommodation with a small diverse group. Now friends.
You won’t regret going with Robbie san.
Kath and I were on the April 2010 trip
This is a great way to see a lot of the architecture of Tokyo/Japan, along
with the other highlights in a short time. Robert’s knowledge gets you to
what you want to see and have time to relax and take it all in.
I have been on a Robert Day architecture twice now and would recommend it highly. There is no way we could see what we saw without Robert’s expert direction and knowledge of the language and customs. The highlights for me were the Frank Lloyd Wright buildings,Ginza, GA Houses, the Phillipe Starck restaurant, Issey Myake shops, the traditional Japanese houses and gardens,the 2.4 Meter wide buildings, meeting other Japanese architects….. the list goes on. Thank you Robert for a great week.
Keri and I were on the Oct 09 tour and thoroughly enjoyed the hectic pace and one- on- one experience able to be provided by “Robbiesan”. He has the considerable ability to be a walking human landmark (being slightly taller than the average Japanese person) in theTokyo metropolis as we moved through contemporary and ancient architectural treasures. For us, Kyoto was the highlight, especially Ninna-ji and Ryoanji, and the buildings of Tadao Ando and Le Corbusier’s gallery. For those who would like to see more of Ando’s work a side trip to Naoshima Island is fantastic. All the best. S & K.
An april 2010 survivor of the great japan architectural tour. Trepidation that it was going too be academic or too broad were dispelled very early in an epic onslaught of buildings, new, traditional, and a few foreign architects like Le Corbusier and FLW, let alone appropiately named Foreign Office. Big benefits travelling wise as Robbie san stands higher than the average local and can be seen from a least 200 metres from a station exit and he waits for you but the timing for trains allows only to catch up and board. No peering at schedules, just hit the train, hit the next connection and you then on any way out of Tokyo or Kyoto. A train ride, walking or with an instructed taxi driver (Robbie san has conversational Japanese) was the way to the architectural and a few tourist sites.
A full on tour, great camaderie bonded by Robbie san, helped by a few beers and foooood. After an 8.30am start you needed both. A great personal experience enhanced with unknown company of aficionado’s that became travelling friends. Added to the tour was meeting Japanese architects (Robbie sans old boss)and friends, and judging the final years projects of architectural schools in the district that Robbie san had worked. Add into this a recently completed architect’s house in this district. This made for a full on 10 days of Japanese culture (and architecture)
I am an architecture student from RMIT in Melbourne and went on the trip in April 2010. I combined the extensive architecture trip into my studies and completed a Photographic Journal of the trip with the full itinery and daily map.
You can view it here:
http://issuu.com/ryancameronmoroney/docs/japanarchitecturetour
I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in the art and architecture of Japan. Robert Day provided a wonderful, hassle free, and intensive trip that provided well rounded exposure to contemporary and traditional Japanese art and architecture.