Travel to Japan with MArch Advanced for Architects and Designers

DATE

30.06.2025

Recently, the students of the MArch Advanced program embarked on a rich and inspiring journey through Japan, visiting three of its main cities: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.

This experience allowed students to immerse themselves in the country’s architectural culture, exploring both its contemporary expressions and ancestral traditions. In Tokyo, they toured iconic districts such as Ginza, Minamiaoyama, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Sumida, where they experienced cutting-edge architecture and the richness of Japanese urban design. They also visited traditional areas like Asakusa and the technology-driven, visually striking district of Akihabara.

In Kyoto, the focus shifted to traditional architecture, with visits to some of the city’s most emblematic temples and spaces. Highlights included Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari Taisha, the iconic Golden Pavilion, and the serene Rock Garden of Ryoan-ji. The group also traveled to Arashiyama to walk through its famous bamboo forest, an immersive experience that connects architecture with nature. Despite the traditional focus, students also explored contemporary landmarks such as the Garden of Fine Arts by Tadao Ando and the Kyoto Concert Hall designed by Arata Isozaki.

The visit to Osaka was concentrated into a single but intense day. The main purpose was to explore the site of Expo 2025, which will be held on a newly created artificial island. Before reaching the Expo grounds, students visited the exhibition Tadao Ando Youth, a showcase of models and early works by the renowned Japanese architect, offering a deep insight into his creative process and self-taught career.

The day at the Expo island provided a first-hand view of the preparations for this major international event, where architecture, technology, and sustainability converge. The entire trip was a unique opportunity to reflect on the dialogue between tradition and innovation in Japanese architecture, in a country where both approaches coexist and enrich each other. Without a doubt, it was a transformative experience for the MArch Advanced students, both academically and personally.