By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
The newly opened Mount Fuji World Heritage Center in Shizuoka Prefecture, designed by renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, features a main structure in the form of a pure white inverted mountain shape. The exterior is wrapped in a lattice pattern of interwoven wooden strips — a technique Shigeru Ban is known for — assembled with mortise-and-tenon joints to form a woven surface, standing in distant view of Mount Fuji.
Mount Fuji World Heritage Center, Shizuoka Prefecture (Photo / Mount Fuji World Heritage Center, Shizuoka Prefecture; the same below)
The main structure is a pure white inverted mountain shape
The outdoor environment design is also striking, with a pond in front of the building that perfectly reflects its form and casts an image resembling Mount Fuji on the water’s surface. Nearby, a red torii gate adds to the serene and symmetrical ambiance.
A pond lies in front of the building, along with a red torii gate
The observation deck inside the building
The inverted conical walls of the building are made up of 8,000 wooden panels, crafted from cypress trees sourced from the foothills of Mount Fuji. The wood surfaces are meticulously polished to a smooth and sleek finish. The main structure is divided into indoor and outdoor spaces by a sheet of glass. Inside, there is an observation deck, a surrounding corridor, and a small screening room. The corridor displays visual materials related to Mount Fuji, while the observation deck offers breathtaking panoramic views of the mountain.
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