Nakagin Capsule Tower

The light was not that great on the day I visited the Nakagin Capsule Tower, so I'll have to try again someday soon.

Anyway, it's really remarkable that this building was ever built and remarkable that it still stands today.  Too bad that it hasn't gotten much love and needs to be restored before someone decides that it needs to make way for something more practical and less troublesome. 

I love that you can see shirts hanging inside windows.

Sample capsule

On Roppongi Dori in front of Roppongi Hills is a restored example of the Metabolism Movement.  This sample is from the Nakagin Capsule Tower (completed in 1972) designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa.  According to the information posted on the side of this specimen, one of these capsules could be built for the cost of a compact car.

If you are interested in learning more, the Mori Art Museum at Roppongi Hills is holding an exhibit, METABOLISM: The City of the Future, until 15 January 2012.

There are efforts in progress to tear this unique structure down, so if I am in Shimbashi I'll make an extra effort to visit. You can still see it on Google Street View...

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