Kengo Kuma

Traditional wooden merchant houses representative of Kyoto. Called 'unagi no nedoko' (eel beds) for their narrow frontage and deep structure, they ingeniously use tsuboniwa gardens and tori-niwa corridors for light and ventilation. Recently, renovations into cafes, guesthouses, and shops are advancing, revaluing them as spaces fusing tradition and modernity.

A Japanese architect globally recognized for architecture pursuing transparency and lightness. Awarded the Pritzker Prize with Ryue Nishizawa as SANAA, representative works such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, and Louvre-Lens are praised for 'dissolving architectural boundaries.' A rare talent expressing Japanese delicacy in contemporary architecture.

A leading Japanese architect who advocates 'architecture that loses'—buildings that harmonize with rather than dominate their environment. He extensively uses natural materials like wood, bamboo, stone, and washi paper. Widely known as designer of the New National Stadium for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he is one of the most prolific Japanese architects working globally.

The world's oldest wooden temple complex located in Ikaruga, Ikoma County, Nara Prefecture. Founded in the early 7th century, it preserves the complete form of an ancient Buddhist temple with five-story pagoda, main hall, middle gate, and covered corridors. Its traditional carpentry techniques, foundation stone arrangements, and proportional calculations represent foundational principles of Japanese architecture.

Traditional wooden townhouse architecture found in Japanese cities, particularly Kyoto. Characterized by their narrow frontage and deep interior, nicknamed 'eel beds,' they incorporate torinawa passages and tsuboniwa courtyard gardens to bring in light and air. In recent years, preservation and renovation efforts have intensified, with many repurposed as cafes and accommodations.

Traditional merchant house architecture forming Kyoto's historical streetscape. Wooden structures built from the Edo to Meiji periods, characterized by deep narrow fronts facing streets. They feature interior courtyards (tsuboniwa) and integrated living-working spaces. Now utilized for various purposes including ryokan and cafes.