Arts & Culture Feb. 10, 2010 - 08:41AM JST ( 7 )

TOKYO —

Authors Julian Worrall and Erez Golani Solomon present 83 buildings, from world-renowned projects such as Herzog & de Meuron’s Prada building and FOA’s spectacular Yokohama International Passenger Terminal, to quirky private houses and soaring office towers of glass and steel.

Alongside Western architects, who have built some of their most outstanding projects in Tokyo, the authors showcase recent works of celebrated Japanese architects, including Tadao Ando, Toyo Ito, Fumihiko Maki, and Kenzo Tange. Incisive essays introduce each building not just from an architectural perspective, but also as part of the social, cultural, and political tapestry of the city, creating a full and fascinating portrait of the metropolis.

The book is divided into seven easy-to-navigate chapters, each covering a different Tokyo district, with detailed maps and access information, and illustrated throughout with stunning black-and-white photography by Joshua Lieberman. This is an indispensable guidebook for the professional architect, the sightseer, or anyone with an interest in contemporary Japan.

Tokyo is one of the most innovative and forward-thinking cities in the world, and nowhere is this more evident than in its modern architecture. The city’s latest buildings are introduced not just from an architectural perspective but as part of the social, cultural, and political tapestry of the city.

With stunning black-and-white photography spotlighting a wide range of projects, from the monumental masterpieces of famous architects to the everyday buildings often overlooked, this is a full and fascinating overview of the architectural landscape of 21st-century Tokyo.