Brief Guide to Some Tadao Ando Buildings in Kansai
Traveling from Fukuoka to Tokyo, I decided to stop in Osaka and check out some Ando buildings. However, tracking down information about visiting these structures was not as easy as it should have been. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of Ando buildings or, for that matter, notable works in Kansai so this should function only as a starting point and by no means a definitive guide. Please email me if you would like to make amendments or corrections. Thanks to Yoko M. for her advice on transit and itinerary.
Church of Light
The Church of light is located east of Osaka-eki. From the station catch a JR Kyoto Line train to Ibaragi. Once there, take the bus from stop #2 to Kasugaokouen. The bus will drop you off next to a small park. Just before coming to this stop the bus will have made a left turn. Retrace the route back to that intersection and turn left. The church will be 5 minutes down the road on your right.
Sayamaike Museum
This museum sits on the site of a Heian-era irrigation pond. It's about 30 minutes south of Osaka in a town called Osakayamashi. Watch out the right side of the train and you will see the building just before approaching the Osakayamashi station. From there you should be able to find your way to the museum through a small residential neighborhood.
Suntory Museum
Part of a large waterside complex, this is perhaps the easiest Ando building to find because it and the aquarium next door are large tourist attractions. From Osakako station follow the signs-- or the crowds-- to the aquarium and you'll see Suntory.
Yumebutai
Take a JR Tokaido line train from Osaka to Maiko station, a few stops south of Kobe. The Maiko station is below the longest suspension bridge in the world. To catch the bus to Awaji Island you need to climb to the level of the bridge by followings the signs for "express bus". Yumebutai should be the 2nd or 3rd stop.
Water Temple (Honpuku-ji)
Awaji is a beautiful place, so if the weather's nice you can take the bus to Yumebutai and then walk back towards Awaji-higashi's town center and stop at the Honpuku. Otherwise, from the first stop on the Yumebutai bus you will want to walk down Awaji-Higashi's main road until you see signs for the temple. It's up the hill to your right, maybe 20 minutes from the bus station.
Times II Building
This retail complex is located on Sanjo-dori where it crosses the a small stream running parallel to and east of Kamogawa river. Currently there's an Evisu jeans shop, a beauty parlor, and an indian restaurant occupying the facilities. While you're in Kyoto, you may also want to check out the Kyouen Rest Complex which is a nice walk down the river at Shijo-dori.
--Posted 10/05/04 04:00PM