Japan Trip: How about a stroll through a concrete Garden?

The first post in what I hope to be a series from my recent trip to Japan.
I hope for this series to be available as a guide to a few places to visit and a few things to do! (though it is very far from a complete list!)

First I would like to share with you my visit to the Kyoto Garden of Fine Arts, by the master of concrete, Tadao Ando.
Personally, Ando’s work has been an amazing influence, such refined works from a man who had previously worked as a truck driver, a boxer and had no formal training.

You will more often than not hear Ando recognised for his use of concrete, a work of fine craftsmanship.

The Garden of Fine Art situated North of Japan’s traditional capital Kyoto and not far from the Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Gardens, is an ‘open air gallery.’ Though perhaps the words ‘garden’ and even ‘gallery’ are open to interpretation?

The garden’s classical works have been recreated on large weatherproof ceramic plates in a modern concrete ‘garden.’
Though the real interest for me was held in the minimalist concrete walkways and walls rather than the works themselves.

The garden, completed in 1990 uses modern materials of concrete and glass yet holds traditional works of art, and also responds to the serenity of a traditional Japanese garden. Two concrete ramps intertwine their way down into the lower parts of the garden, taking the visitor on a journey through large concrete volumes that serve as separating the space, creating voids whilst also serving as a surface for the works themselves.

Another main feature of the garden is the horizontal and vertical walls and pools of water that flow from the top most level down through the garden whilst the constant sound of falling water serves as soft background ambience.

The Main Entrance (and you can just see Monet’s water lillies under the surface.)

Window looking outside the garden

There are many water features that run horizontally, vertically, horizontally again like a maze through the garden, and also add a gentle background noise when walking through.

An intersection of elements that span through the entire building. (and a hint of the works contained.)

And a Detail of the same intersection.

In, looking out, this shot also shows the looping path that winds its way down to the bottom of the open garden.

Another shot of the ramp continuing down, you can see the element that goes through the wall (top right, and center)

A shot of the different levels and voids.

Openings revealing the works on the wall behind them.

Abrupt intersection and viewing point.

And Looking back, a good demonstration of the shear volumes dividing the space.

Another shot of the horizontal water and the path. Also hints of the botanical gardens behind.

Some photos of the recreated works themselves.

Garden of Fine Arts (Kyoto Fruits Toban Meiga no Niwa)
Shimogamo Hangicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-0823. Tel. 075-724-2188
Hrs. 9:00-17:00 (enter by 16:30). Closed Dec. 28- Jan 4.
100 yen (50 yen in case of combination ticket with Kyoto Botanical Garden)
The fastest way to get here from Kyoto Station or Hankyu Karasuma is to take the subway to Kitayama Station.