A visual celebration—presented in duotone—of the architectural gems of postwar Japan that have been demolished, together with an analysis of the reasons for their disappearance.

As in other countries, not all mid-twentieth-century modern buildings in Japan can—or even deserve—to be preserved. However, a good number of these works—those that marked architectural milestones or became landmarks for the public—deserve international attention. Vanishing Japan is the first book to shed light on these gems; it constitutes an essential record of buildings already lost and allows their memory to reach a global audience.

The work focuses on around ninety buildings demolished since the year 2000, while the introduction, epilogue, and in-depth analysis sections offer additional context. The selection includes highly regarded theaters, shopping centers, and offices, built between the 1950s and 1970s, as well as some outstanding examples from the 80s and 90s. Although many of these properties were located in Tokyo and Osaka, the book covers examples from across the country, rescuing local landmarks that were once points of reference and that continue to inspire today as models of architectural innovation.

High land values, costs, and the evolution of construction techniques—in a country marked by the constant threat of earthquakes—are just some of the reasons why the demolition of buildings is common in Japan. This and other aspects are explored in an intelligent and accessible book, designed with an elegant duotone aesthetic, that will invite readers to contemplate their own built environment in a new light.

304 pages

English text