Text by / MOOK Scenic Spots Travel & Lifestyle Network Editorial Team
kyoto has always been one of Taiwanese travelers' favorite destinations in Japan. With its ancient capital charm, it offers different scenery throughout the four seasons. Besides well-known attractions such as Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari Shrine, the newest highlight is the recently completed Shogunzuka Seiryuden, which opened in October 2014.
The glass tea house KOU-AN is on display at Shogunzuka Seiryuden for a one-year period. (Image source / tokujin)
Shogunzuka Seiryuden was once the Heian site of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. Its platform is built from precious hinoki cypress wood and is a fully wooden structure that is 4.6 times larger than the famous Kiyomizu Stage. From here, you can overlook the cityscape of Kyoto from a height of 220 meters. From the observation deck, not only can you see the grand torii gate of Heian Shrine, but you can also follow the clues on the map to find spots such as the Kamo River and Kyoto University. Starting from April 9, 2015, the “Glass Tea House – KOU-AN,” designed by renowned Japanese artist Tokujin Yoshioka, will be exhibited on the main stage of Shogunzuka Seiryuden for a one-year period.
The platform at Shogunzuka Seiryuden offers a panoramic view of Kyoto. (Image source / tokujin)
The transparent tea house allows you to experience the four seasons through the play of light and shadow. (Image source / tokujin)
The “Glass Tea House - KOU-AN” is located at the center of the Seiryuden platform. Tokujin Yoshioka used transparent materials at a 1:10 scale to create a Japanese-style house, aiming to express a concept of symbiosis where Japanese thought, culture, and nature are integrated. This symbolic piece presents the Zen of nature through its transparency, fostering a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
The Glass Tea House-KOU-AN is on display on the Seiryuden platform for a one-year period. (Image source / tokujin)
The glass tea house emphasizes symbiosis with nature, allowing natural light to pass through, existing as something tangible yet almost invisible. (Image source / tokujin)
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