Architectour in Tokyo ~ Part 3: Zojoji Temple and Tokyo Tower
The next day, we did a tour again in Tokyo by walking. Sometime, we took a train. Our next destination are Zojoji Temple and Tokyo Tower. As travelers, we would love to see closely historical and modern buildings in places we visit. Honestly, every single building in Japan is very interesting.
Om our way to Zojoji Temple, I shot some wonderful buildings. I am interested with some building below. This one is a brown color building, which is creatively build on a limited space (land). It’s a minimalist building with the stairs are on the back.
The next one is a white building that look like a pyramid in Maccu Picchu of Peru. The architect provide a nice place for the equipments of solar electricity on the top of the building. It’s really a great idea. The architect is pretty smart.
The next one is a triangle shaped building. It’s pretty unique. I really don’t have any idea about the functional of the shape. Is it for the stairs?
We kept heading for our destination. And finally we arrived at Zojoji, the Buddhist Temple. We were so excited to “tag” in our destination to visit during in Tokyo.
We entered the area of Zojoji Temple through the main gate Sangedatsumon. The gate is 21 meter that was constructed in 1622. And you know, this gate is the oldest wooden building in Tokyo. It’s really amazing since it is the only structure not destroyed in the Second World War. It’s now painted in red.
According to Japan Guide Zojoji Temple is the head temple of the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism in the Kanto Region. Standing next to Tokyo Tower, the temple grounds consist of some impressive structures as well as a mausoleum of the Tokugawa family and a small museum. This is really a great place to visit when in Tokyo since we know that the temple is a historical building. It was built in 1393 but later it’s moved to the current position in 1598 by Tokugawa, and he proposed Zojoji as his family temple. I am personally, so happy to witness with my eyes the great building from ancient time.
We could find there a board showing a brief information about the temple. It provides simple but complete information regarding the history and parts of the building.
There is also a bell tower in the complex. The tower is not that tall, but it’s still called as a tower. The tower is located in front of the temple, on the left side. It’s not so far from the main gate Sangedatsumon.
It’s just near the Bell Tower, there is another structure. There is a door on the building. But, I don’t know what the exact name of the structure.
It was in late afternoon, there was a back light when I took a picture of temple with Tokyo Tower as the backdrop. The tower is just behind the Zojoji Temple. So, after enjoying the temple, we walked to Tokyo Tower, to have it a look closely.
Yeah, we were just really close to the tower. I even could touch it. What a great building!
And this is much more closer. The tower is located in the heart of Tokyo. Tokyo Tower is one of the tallest tower in the world. I was a bit surprise when knowing the the tower is copied the model of Eiffel’s Tower in Paris. But, Tokyo Tower is a bit taller than Eiffel Tower. According to Japan Guide, the height of Tokyo Tower is 333 meters, and 13 meters taller than Eiffel Tower. I used to visit Paris and I have witnessed the Eiffel Tower with my eyes. So, Tokyo Tower and Eiffel Tower is the same model but different color. Tokyo Tower is red-white color, and it serves as a broadcast antenna.
After taking some pictures of the tower, we walked away to a station. We would go back to our hotel: Keio Plaza Hotel. After walking some distance, I captured the tower again.
It was so wonderful and a great experience for me doing architectour when in Tokyo on Spring 2019. I hope I could travel again to Japan in other season, in Autumn or Winter.
@tipu curate
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The construction of the buildings are very modern and with a minimalist style, it would be nice to see one of those apartments inside.
Unfortunately, I had no access to enter the apartment :)
It's interesting to know that Tokyo Tower is taller than Eiffel Tower because I would have thought otherwise. I assume it's because of the illusion it created having different colors applied to its structure. I had the opportunity to admire this tower during sunset from the park around it.
During my visit to Japan, I was impressed by how their apartments are designed. The building where we stayed was new and earthquake-resistant. The space planning of a 2 bedroom apartment was well planned and functional that we intend to adopt a few characteristics for our own home one day. A great example of that is the bathroom which was modular and could be removed/replaced when new tenants want to renovate and re-purpose the space. Due to the Japanese's love for bathing, the whole bathroom also serves as a sauna with a separate shower and bathtub that are fully automated. The floors are thermally heated with automated floor cleaner and disinfectant. It also serves as convertible clothes drying chamber during winter when they couldn't hang their clothes outside.
What about you, any specific design feature from Japan that you'd consider applying in your own space?
Yes. I was also really surprise to know that Tokyo Tower is a copy of Eiffel Tower.
Actually I love everything in Japan. After visiting Japan, I am getting to love much more Japanese Products. Everything is functional.
During I stayed at Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, I really love that anything in the room is automatic, even toilet door. Lol.
I think, I would love to apply automatic equipments in my space, in the future.
Tokyo seems to be a nice blend of high rise buildings and cultural buildings. it was a wonderful blog indeed .
Have a lovely weekend:)
Tokyo is so lovely. Already missed it. I will be never bored to visit Japan. :)
That clean, beautiful city always lure me to visit it soon. That post is wonderfully written, appreciate all the picture's perspective and the architecture of Tokyo.
Thank you @praditya :)
Tokyo is really a beautiful city