Stylish or Attractive Constructions
Hakata Primary School
While walking along Taihaku-dori, you may have noticed the glass walls covered with words. From the outside, the building looks like a modern public facility, but its real attraction is the interior design. Upon closer inspection, the space provides ample room for students, with no walls separating classrooms. Built under the “Open School” concept, it encourages non-traditional learning. Through the glass walls, students can look outside, while passers-by on the walkway can observe the classes taking place inside.
Gofuku-machi Business Center Building
This is the building we visited during our Hakata-machi walk the other day, located at Higashi Nagare Place. At the time, we didn’t pay much attention to its colorful design, which features dark green windows and yellow or brown pillars. The building was designed by American architect Michael Graves, a member of the Postmodernism movement, whose style emphasizes ornamentation and visual impact over purely functional design. This approach is clearly reflected in the building’s striking appearance.
We Base Hakata
It looks like an astronaut cat. Later, I looked it up and found that this object has gained some recognition. Behind it is a hotel called We Base Hakata, which was awarded the Good Fukuoka Scenery Award a few years ago.
The Former Fukuoka Prefectural Guest House
Everyone recognizes this building on the bank of the Naka River, but few know its history. It is the Former Fukuoka Prefectural Guest House, which originally stood on the grounds of the Fukuoka Prefectural Office. When the office relocated, the building was preserved as a historical monument. Constructed in the French Renaissance style, it features steep roofs, dormer windows, angular cone-shaped towers, and emphasized horizontal lines. The Château de Fontainebleau is a well-known example of this architectural style.
Kawasho
This is a Japanese cuisine restaurant in Nishi Nakasu. Its design is celebrated as a prime example of Japanese aesthetics. The building was designed by Junzo Yoshimura, a renowned 20th-century architect.
Ganso Mentai Ju
I came across this near Kawasho. Whether intentionally or not, it is designed in a distinctive Japanese style. The restaurant specializes in Karashi Mentaiko dishes, and its boxed meals have become a popular feature in many Fukuoka guidebooks today.
Red Brick Culture Center
Everyone recognizes this red building. It originally served as the Kyushu branch office of the Nihon Insurance Company, but it now functions as a facility providing information about Fukuoka literature. The building was designed by Kingo Tatsuno and Yasu Kataoka. Kingo Tatsuno is best known as the architect of Tokyo Station.
Acros Fukuoka
I think this is the most unique modern building in Fukuoka City, and perhaps in all of Kyushu. Its design was inspired by ideas from Argentine architect Emilio Ambasz, and the stepped gardens are particularly impressive. The reason for the stepped walls remains unclear, but many visitors simply accept it as a form of art. The building has received numerous awards for its innovative design.
Fukuoka Bank Head Office
The building was designed by Kisho Kurokawa, one of Japan’s most famous architects (I remember his name because his wife was an actress). He was a leading figure in the Metabolism movement, which emphasized adaptability to the changing modern world over strict functionality. In fact, the large blank space within the main structure isn’t functional at all—it exists as part of the architectural concept.
Mitsukoshi Fukuoka
no particular comments. It is there, like the Boss Building of Tenjin.
An art object at Richmond Hotel Fukuoka Tenjin
I happened to come across this object on Watanabe Street and took a photo. The plaque reads “Round Structure 2007.”I didn’t understand the concept at the time and left, planning to look it up later online. However, it seems that no one has written about it—its purpose remains a mystery.
Hotel New Otani Hakata
When it was completed over thirty years ago, it was the most imposing and cutting-edge building in Fukuoka City. But that is now history.
Tenjin-Minami Station
It’s just an entrance to the subway, but the glass-walled frame with long white tubes is strikingly artistic. It was designed by Syoei Yo and received a Good Design Award. He is known for using glass in highly creative ways; the Saibu Gas Museum in Momochi is another example of his work.
Fukuoka City Art Museum
The building was designed by Kunio Maekawa, a disciple of Le Corbusier, one of the world’s greatest architects (the National Art Museum in Tokyo, designed by Le Corbusier, is a UNESCO World Heritage site). Inside, you may also find an artwork by Yayoi Kusama, the renowned creator of pumpkin-themed art.
Noh Theater in Ohori
The three key features of Noh stages are: (1) the square stage, (2) the bridgeway (hashigakari), and (3) the stage projecting toward the audience. In addition, no stage props are used, there is no curtain separating the stage from the audience, and the singers and musicians perform on the stage itself.
The Us Consulate
The three main features of Noh stages are: (1) the square stage, (2) the bridgeway (hashigakari), and (3) the stage extending toward the audience. In addition, no stage props are used, there is no curtain separating the stage from the audience, and the singers and musicians perform directly on the stage.
Omula Beauty Creates
This building houses a career school for hairdressers and makeup artists. The Big O, which clearly stands for “O” in Omula, is strikingly bold and unconventional.
THE BASICS FUKUOKA
The building was formerly the Hyatt Regency Fukuoka, but it is now The Basics Fukuoka, a hotel with expanded facilities. It was also designed by Michael Graves, and his postmodern style is clearly evident.
The statue of a hand is particularly interesting. Named “Hello and Good-bye,” it was created by the artist Keimu Kamata.
