Vanishing Japan: Book Recalls Five Lost Architectural Marvels
A new book from Thames & Hudson, 'Vanishing Japan: Modern Architecture, Gone But Not Forgotten', by architect Naomi Pollock, celebrates Japan's remarkable modern buildings that have been demolished or are threatened. The book profiles 90 structures, 89 of which were torn down by the time of publication. Pollock highlights five notable examples: the Idemitsu Apollo Gas Stations (1956) by Junzo Sakakura, the Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium (1964) by Kenzo Tange, the Sony Building in Tokyo (1966-2017) by Yoshinobu Ashihara, the Naha Tower Building in Okinawa (1973-2014) by Nobuyoshi Kinjo and Gendai Sekkei Co., Ltd., and the Chofu Police Box in Tokyo (1994-2008) by Kazuyo Sejima. The book explores how Japan's post-war building boom led to architectural experimentation, but frequent earthquakes, changing aesthetics, and seismic standards led to the demolition of many masterworks. The Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium is slated for demolition in September 2026, sparking protests. The book is published on 20 August.
Key facts
- The book 'Vanishing Japan: Modern Architecture, Gone But Not Forgotten' by Naomi Pollock is published by Thames & Hudson on 20 August.
- The book profiles 90 buildings, 89 of which were demolished by the time of publication.
- The Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium, designed by Kenzo Tange in 1964, is scheduled for demolition in September 2026.
- The Sony Building in Tokyo, designed by Yoshinobu Ashihara, stood for 51 years before demolition in 2017.
- The Naha Tower Building in Okinawa, designed by Nobuyoshi Kinjo and Gendai Sekkei Co., Ltd., opened in 1973 and was demolished in 2014.
- The Chofu Police Box in Tokyo, designed by Kazuyo Sejima, was demolished in 2008 for railway expansion.
- Junzo Sakakura, designer of the Idemitsu Gas Stations, worked at Le Corbusier's studio in the 1930s.
- Kenzo Tange received the Pritzker Prize in 1987 and designed the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
- Kazuyo Sejima received the Pritzker Prize in 2010 and designed the Sumida Hokusai Museum.
Entities
Artists
- Naomi Pollock
- Junzo Sakakura
- Le Corbusier
- Kenzo Tange
- Yoshinobu Ashihara
- Nobuyoshi Kinjo
- Kazuyo Sejima
Institutions
- Thames & Hudson
- Idemitsu Kosan
- National Police Agency
- Pritzker Prize
- Sumida Hokusai Museum
- Sony
- Tokyu Hands
Locations
- Japan
- Sapporo
- Okinawa
- Ikebukuro
- Namba
- Kagawa
- Hiroshima
- Tokyo
- Ginza
- Sukiyabashi Crossing
- Komazawa
- Shibuya
- Ueno Park
- Asahi newspaper building