It’s been a while that I wrote about my book project on some of Tokyo’s iconic 60s/70s buildings. Work has been ongoing over the last couple of months and the project has been growing in scope and depth. There is now four confirmed chapters written by four different authors. Architectural photographer Manuel Oka has started taking shots of the buildings. Here are some of his photos:

The Fumon Hall is part of Rissho Kosaikai’s HQ in Nakano. Built in 1970, its simple aesthetics and imposing form are the eye-catcher all around.

The Sacred Hall is the centrepiece of the lay movement’s complex. The architectural mix is interesting yet slightly convoluted. There’s even a Buddhist stupa on top of the roof.

The NOA Building by Seiichi Sirai in Azabu, a preciously atypical building. It is situated near the Russian Embassy so any photographer with a big tripod is causing a bit of a stir here.

A shot of the building’s side reveals its rather fragile form above the pedestal. The rear is facing a cemetery and hardly has any windows either.

The Reiyukai Temple in Azabu is just a short stroll from the NOA Building. Nestled between other buildings belonging to the Buddhist organisation, it is difficult to capture on photo without the right kind of wide-angle lenses. It is an imposing sight!

The front stairs lead to the main hall that seats several thousand people. It looks a bit like the entrance to a space ship, no?

Kasumigaseki Building, Tokyo’s first skyscraper. Difficult to accommodate on one shot due to the density of building structures all around it. A somewhat nondescript international style facade.

Hotel Okura, arguably the most photogenic buildings of the lot photographed to date.

Day and night…

…outside or inside.