#Japan #Tokyo #DOCOMOMO Japan #Modern Movement #Architecture Exhibition

Celebrating the DOCOMOMO Japan 300 Selection

The National Museum of Modern Architecture is set to co-host a significant exhibition titled 'DOCOMOMO Japan 300 Selection: Celebrating the Modern Movement and Current Architecture' starting from August 29, 2026. This event is organized in collaboration with DOCOMOMO Japan, commemorating the milestone of identifying 300 exemplary examples of Japan's modern architecture, with approximately 100 works on display.

About DOCOMOMO

DOCOMOMO stands for the Documentation and Conservation of buildings, sites, and neighborhoods of the Modern Movement. This international organization is dedicated to the documentation and preservation of architecture, sites, and neighborhoods related to the Modern Movement, which represents an artistic movement aimed at creating a better society, culture, and environment through new technologies and rational considerations that break away from traditional values. The Japan branch of DOCOMOMO has been actively engaged in selecting, documenting, and preserving Japanese architecture from the diverse architectural culture that emerged after 1920.

Exhibition Overview

The exhibition will be divided into two significant parts:

Part 1: Value and Appeal (August 29 – November 23, 2026)

In this section, visitors will trace the milestones of the selection process that began in 2000 and discover the intrinsic value and charm of each architectural work, enriched by anecdotes about the buildings themselves. Some highlighted pieces include:

• - Yoshiaka Takamasa + U Laboratory - University Seminar House (1965)
• - Le Corbusier - The National Museum of Western Art (1959)
• - Kiyoshi Kikutake - Tokoname Garden (1964)
• - Masato Ootaka - Hiroshima City Motomachi District (1969-1978)

Part 2: Heritage and Usage (December 3, 2026 – February 23, 2027)

This part illustrates the loss of over 40 buildings while exploring the concept of reusing structures and how they have evolved over time. Noteworthy works to be featured include:

• - Junzo Sakakura - Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Modern Art (1951)
• - Kunio Maekawa - The Japan Mutual Banking Headquarters (1952)
• - Kiyoshi Kikutake - Miyakonojo Civic Hall (1966)

Highlights of the Exhibition

1. A Monumental Milestone
The exhibition celebrates over 25 years of DOCOMOMO Japan's dedicated efforts in documenting modern architecture and showcases around 100 selected works that illustrate the flow of Japan's modern architecture.
2. Diverse Exhibits
Visitors can engage with original blueprints, models, photographs, and related materials, presenting a multi-faceted view of selected architectures in conjunction with historical narratives.
3. Innovative Preservation
With over 60 selected buildings designated as cultural properties, the exhibition raises questions about how to preserve and pass on architectural heritage, particularly given that over 40 buildings have been lost.
4. Related Events
Throughout the exhibition period, several symposiums and guided tours will be organized to enhance the experience of the building's appeal.

Join us in exploring and celebrating the richness of modern Japanese architecture through this extraordinary exhibition!