MBA MArch Advanced Study Trip: Japan

DATE

18.05.2026

Students from the MBA MArch Advanced program recently embarked on an enriching study trip to Japan, exploring its two main cities, Kyoto and Tokyo. This experience allowed them to immerse themselves in the country’s architectural culture, spanning from its ancestral traditions to the contemporary avant-garde.

The journey began in Kyoto, where the visit focused on traditional architecture through a tour of its most iconic temples and spaces. The students visited Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari Taisha, the iconic Golden Pavilion, and the serene rock garden at Ryoan-ji temple, among other landmarks. They also traveled to Arashiyama to walk through its famous bamboo forest, experiencing an immersive connection between architecture and nature. Despite the city’s historical focus, the group had the opportunity to visit remarkable contemporary examples, such as the Garden of Fine Arts designed by Tadao Ando.

After exploring Kyoto, they traveled to Tokyo. In the capital, the students toured emblematic districts such as Ginza, Minamiaoyama, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Sumida, appreciating cutting-edge architectural works firsthand and exploring the richness of Japanese urban design. The itinerary masterfully combined the technological contrast and unique aesthetic of Akihabara with the traditional architecture of the historic Asakusa neighborhood.

While in Tokyo, they visited prominent projects including SANAA’s Sumida Hokusai Museum, Tadao Ando’s 21_21 Design Sight, and Kengo Kuma’s Sunny Hills as well as his Asakusa Visitors Center. Additionally, they explored the Ginza district, known for its high concentration of architectural icons, and Omotesando Street, famous for its boutique design projects.

In both cities, besides experiencing Japanese historical and contemporary architecture firsthand, they were also able to immerse themselves in its ancestral culture, gastronomy, urbanism, and way of life—learning from a society that always has so much to offer.