The massive granite structure with its irregular edges and forceful aura stands out in the wide space that encompasses what will be one of the nation's largest complexes dedicated to Japanese pop culture.
Getting a sneak preview of Tokorozawa Sakura Town, scheduled to have its official grand opening on November 6, one sees the potential for a new type of interactive experience.
Located a 10-minute walk from JR Higashi Tokorozawa Station in Saitama Prefecture, the complex is built on 40,000 square meters of land that was the former location of a sewage treatment plant.
Publishing giant Kadokawa Corp. and the Kadokawa Culture Promotion Foundation are the main forces behind the project, which will include integrated facilities such as offices, a hotel and event spaces, as well as a book-making and distribution factory.
What really catches the eye is the Kadokawa Culture Museum designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, who was also entrusted with the plan for the new National Stadium for the Tokyo Olympics. The granite exterior emanates raw energy.
"I wanted to make it look like magma sticking out of the surface of the Earth," Kuma explained.
Museum curator Seigo Matsuoka described it as "angled architecture," while to this writer, it brings up an image of prehistoric Jomon period pottery. Looking at such an unusual structure for a museum, what comes to mind for you?
Already open is the grand gallery on the first floor, where an exhibition titled "Kengo Kuma: The Birth of an Art Space Connected to Nature" is running through Oct. 15. Viewing the exhibits, one can understand his concept and his intention to build with stone. "It is architecture that allows me to jump [to the next stage]," Kuma said as he looked over a model on display.
We were also allowed a sneak peek at the Bookshelf Theater, an atrium cut out of the fourth and fifth floors, which is scheduled to be open on Nov. 6. The irregular shelves filling out the length and breadth of the room are overwhelming. It will no doubt be the subject of many Instagram moments. There are also plans for projection mapping onto the shelves.
In spaces off the Bookshelf Theater, there are many more bookcases. By the time it opens, it is said that books will be arranged using a novel classification method that stimulates imagination and creativity.
But aside from the high culture exhibitions, elements of pop culture will also be included. Inside the five-story building, there will be a manga and light novel library and an anime museum.
Also featured within the Tokorozawa Sakura Town complex is the Musashino Reiwa Shrine, which serves as both an information center and the first point for the 88 "pilgrimage sites" designated by the Anime Tourism Association. There is also the EJ Anime Hotel, in which the rooms are equipped for total immersion in anime, games, tokusatsu superhero films and pop idols. It is scheduled to open Oct. 1.
As a hub for the dissemination of diverse Japanese culture, this unique complex looks to become a hit with anime fans and foreign tourists.
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