10 Famous Japanese Architects

The Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki at MIT Media Lab photo By jeanbaptisteparisderivative work Wikimedia

10 Famous Japanese Architects

Travelling from one country to another gives you a chance to experience a different environment. When it comes to Japan Architecture, has a large influence on the area. The architecture in Japan is unique, a mixture of traditional and modern styles is commonly used on many buildings.

The country has many famous architects behind the unique building style which has been passed from one century to another. Japanese architects have developed buildings worldwide and are known for being innovative. Some of these architects include the following:

1. Tadao Ando

The Japanese architect Tadao Ando at the opening of the Langen Foundation’s art exhibition house, Germany, in summer 2004 Photo by Christopher Schriner from Köln, Deutschland Wikimedia

Japan is full of amazing and experienced architects Tadao Ando being one of them. He was born in Minato-ku, Osaka, Japan on September 13, 1941. He has received many awards to appreciate his good work such as the Pritzker prize in 1995, Neutra Medal for Professional Excellence in 2012, AIA Gold Medal in 2002, RIBA Royal Gold Medal in 1997, Alvar Aalto Medal in 1985 and Carlsberg Architectural Prize in 1992.

He has designed many buildings, some of these buildings include Row House, Church of the Light, and Water Temple. I recommend him to anyone wishing to have good looking building since am certain he will deliver the perfect design.

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2. Toyo Ito

Toyo Ito was born on June 1, 1941, in Seoul, Japan Korea and is one of the known architects in Japan. Many people know him for creating conceptual architecture. And in 2013 he was the lucky architect and won Pritzker Prize.

After Toyo graduated from the University of Tokyo, he started working for Kiyonori Kikutake Architect and Associates and stayed there for 5 years. He later started his studio in Tokyo known as Urbot back in 1971. The studio name was then changed in 1979 and called Toyo Ito & Associates.  

3. Kisho Kurokawa

Kisho Kurokawa is one of the architects that have left a good legacy behind. He was born on April 8, 1934, in Kanie, Aichi, Empire of Japan and died on October 12, 2007, in Tokyo, Japan. He was a leading Japanese architect and among the founders of the Metabolist Movement (a post-war Japanese architectural movement that fused ideas about architectural megastructures).

He was a learned architect and in 1957 he graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Kyoto University. He then joined Tokyo University under Kenzo Tange’s supervision and he attained a Master’s degree in 1959.

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4. Fumihiko Maki

The Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki at MIT Media Lab photo By jeanbaptisteparisderivative work Wikimedia

When we talk about famous architects in Japan, we can’t leave Fumihiko maki behind. He is widely known in and outside Japan. He has designed several famous buildings within and outside Japan making him popular.

The architect studied at the University of Tokyo and attained a Bachelor of Architecture in 1952, he also went to Cranbrook Academy of Art where he graduated in 1953 with a Master of Architecture and in 1954, he graduated with a Master of Architecture from Harvard University.

He has done great work hence winning several awards such as Pritzker Price (an international architecture award presented annually) and AIA Gold Medal.

5. Shigeru Ban

Japanese Architect Shigeru Ban photo by Pindong Architects Handbook Website Wikimedia

Shigure Ban is one of the famous Japanese Architects born on August 5, 1957, in Tokyo, Japan. He won the 2014 Pritzker Prize for architecture. He attended the Southern California Institute of Architecture and later joined Cooper Union’s School of Architecture as well and in 1984, he graduated.

He has designed several houses such as France Cardboard Cathedral, New Zealand Aspen Art Museum, USA, Bamboo Furniture House,  Onagawa Station, and Centre Pompidou-Metz among others.

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6. Kenzō Tange

Kenzō Tange was born on September 4, 1913, in Sakai, Japan and died on March 22, 2005, in Tokyo, Japan. He left a legacy behind for the good work he did. He won the Pritzker Prize for the architecture of the year 1987.

He designed several buildings on five continents and was one of the best architects back in the 20^th century. He used a unique style to design its building, he combined traditional Japanese styles with modernism.

He won several awards such as the RIBA Gold Medal, Order of Culture, Order of Sacred Treasures, Praemium Imperiale and Pritzker Prize among others.

7. Sou Fujimoto

Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto photo by j.tobias Wikimedia

Sou Fujimoto was born on 1971 at Hokkaido, Japan. He is a Japanese architect doing a great job. He attended the University of Tokyo to pursue his architecture career and graduated back in 1994.

After he completed his studies, he established his own office known as Sou Fujimoto Architects in 2000. Due to the amazing work, he was doing, Sou got lucky and was selected to design the temporary Serpentine Gallery pavilion in London.

He as well published his book containing the projects he has done. The book was published in 2008 and is known as Sou Fujimoto: Primitive Future.

8. Yui Tezuka

Yui Tezuka is married to an Architect Takaharu Tezuka. It is interesting to know that they both came from architectural families. Yui’s father was an architect and she grew up seeing and experiencing architect nature. He worked for many famous architects.

Yui once said her interest in architecture began even when she never knew what is ‘Architects’. This was because she grew up playing with her father’s models and going through his architecture textbooks. She was able to identify her taste at a young age and hence later on became one of the famous architects.

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9. Keiji Ashizawa

Keiji Ashizawa was born in 1973. He is one of the most famous architects in Japan and has done a lot of great work. He attended the University of Department of Architecture and Building Science at Yokoama National University and graduated back in 1996.

After he completed his studies, Keiji started practising his career in architecture studios to improve his craft skill and gain experience. Ashizawa later founded his Design studio in 2005.

10. Hara Hiroshi

Hara Hiroshi is a Japanese architect. Apart from being an architect, he is as well an author. He was born on September 9, 1936, in Hiroshi Hara.

He has done a great job throughout his career. Some of his works include:

Tasaki Museum of Art, Karuizawa, Nagano

Kenju Park ‘Forest House’, Nakaniida, Miyagi Prefecture

Miyagi Prefectural Library, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture

Casa Experimental, Montevideo, Uruguay

Shimokita Snow-Resistant Dome, Mutsu, Aomori