Torii Gate

Japan's unique religious architecture comprising torii gates, worship halls, and main shrines. Diverse styles include Shinmei-zukuri (Ise Jingu), Taisha-zukuri (Izumo Taisha), Kasuga-zukuri, and Nagare-zukuri. The Shikinen Sengu—rebuilding every 20 years—is an unparalleled architectural culture. Harmony with nature and the beauty of hinoki cypress embody Japanese spirituality.

The first Japanese architect to receive the Pritzker Prize. He designed numerous iconic works of modern Japanese architecture, including the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the Yoyogi National Gymnasium, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. A master who elevated postwar Japanese architecture to world-class status by fusing traditional Japanese elements with modernism.

A self-taught architect who gained worldwide acclaim for his innovative exposed-concrete architecture. Known for works such as the Church of the Light and the Chichu Art Museum on Naoshima, which masterfully use natural light and geometric spaces. He received the Pritzker Prize in 1995 and continues to explore the relationship between nature and humanity through architecture.

An architect internationally renowned for buildings that utilize natural materials such as wood, bamboo, and stone. Advocating 'architecture that loses,' he pursues designs that harmonize with their environment. He designed the new Japan National Stadium and has undertaken numerous international projects including V&A Dundee and the Portland Japanese Garden.

An architectural partnership between Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa. Known for translucent, lightweight architecture, they received the Pritzker Prize in 2010. Their open spatial designs that allow people to circulate freely, as seen in the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa and the Louvre-Lens, are highly acclaimed worldwide.

An architect known for his innovative use of paper tubes as building materials. He received the Pritzker Prize in 2014. He is also highly regarded for his humanitarian architectural work, including designing paper-tube emergency shelters for disaster-affected areas. He combines groundbreaking material innovation with a commitment to social contribution.