150+ year old tea house discovered in Kyoto backyard

Left: A current image of the tea house (via the Kyoto Shimbun). Right: An early photograph of the tea house supplied by Okubo's great-grandchild.

A tea house that once belonged to Okubo Toshimichi (1830-1878) has narrowly escaped demolition in Kyoto. The owner has temporarily suspended demolition while the tea house is carefully dismantled and stored. Due to its historical significance, Kyoto City is considering potential ways to relocate and reconstruct it.

Read more


Abandoned hotel in Okinawa to finally be demolished

Demolition has started on an abandoned hotel and local eyesore adjacent to Okinawa’s Nakagusuku Castle that has been sitting idle for almost five decades. In a rare move for privately-owned property, the prefecture has taken charge of demolition due to the need for a careful investigation for any historic artifacts and to avoid harm to protected wildlife. Demolition is expected to be completed by March 2020, after which the land will be converted back to parkland. 

Read more


Redevelopment details for Meiji Jingu Stadium district

Details have come out for the large-scale future redevelopment of the Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium and Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Stadium district in central Tokyo. The 17.4-hectare site straddles Minato and Shinjuku wards and adjoins the new Olympic Stadium.

Read more


Brutalist church in Kyoto to be demolished

The former Karasuma Church in Kyoto is facing imminent demolition. The 5-story concrete building is a local landmark for its unusual design. 

Read more


Kyoto is losing its modern architecture

Recent demolitions. [LEFT] Doshisha Friendly Peace House; [CENTER] Wakabayashi Store; [RIGHT] Heirakuji Bookstore.

Kyoto’s modern architecture (buildings built from the Meiji period through to pre-war) is starting to disappear as developers grow increasingly keen on grabbing new sites for development. 

Read more


280-yr old Inn to be demolished

[Left] The Tominagaya Inn in 1940; [Right] Today.

The owner of a 280-year old Inn in Muko City, Kyoto, has made an inevitable but unfortunate decision to demolish the historic property as maintenance becomes too costly. 

Read more


Mitsubishi & TBS to redevelop office towers above Akasaka Station

On January 30, Mitsubishi Estate and Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings (TBS) announced the formation of business agreement for the redevelopment of the Kokusai Shin-Akasaka Buildings (East, West and Annex). These office towers are located just above Akasaka Station and across the street from Akasaka Biz Tower and the TBS TV Studios.

Read more