In Kanazawa, 100 historic townhouses are demolished each year
The historic merchant city of Kanazawa is seeing as many as 100 of its historic machiya-style townhouses demolished each year. And while there are efforts underway to preserve as many homes as possible, there are still some high hurdles that remain.
Modernist National Theatre to be demolished
The Japan Arts Council is moving forward on plans to demolish the National Theatre of Japan building in Chiyoda and replace it with a new theatre with a hotel on the upper floors.
Historic home matching service for Karuizawa
In an effort to save the historic holiday villas of Karuizawa, a matching-service has been set up by the Karuizawa Cultural Heritage Preservation Association.
Karuizawa home of Nobel Prize winner demolished
The historic holiday home of Nobel Prize for Literature winner Yasunari Kawabata in Karuizawa has been demolished this month. The town had petitioned the current owner to allow the structure to be relocated but was unable to obtain their approval.
One capsule, and maybe more, in Nakagin Capsule Tower Building to be saved
With demolition on the horizon, there are some glimmers of hope that at least one of the 140-odd capsules in the iconic Nakagin Capsule Tower Building might just be spared from the trash heap.
The goal of one of the preservation groups is to save capsule A-606, both the capsule unit itself and its original interior. There are also plans to build a custom trailer so that the capsule can be towed around to various locations, such as museums, galleries, and universities allowing Kisho Kurokawa’s legacy to be appreciated by all. The estimated cost just to save this one capsule and make it mobile is around 6.5 million Yen (approx. US$59,000).
Historic factory in Fukuoka to be demolished
Demolition will start on a historic factory in Fukuoka this month. A farewell event for 200 former factory workers and neighbors was held on August 28, with the building illuminated.
Gucci holds 100-yr anniversary exhibit in historic Kyoto machiya
To celebrate Gucci’s 100th anniversary, three special exhibitions are being held in Kyoto City. One of those exhibitions is taking place in the historic Kawasaki Residence near Sanjo Street. This large machiya is, or was, on the precipice of demolition just two years ago.