Architecture Visualizing Water — A Day Exploring Waseda Kannonji Temple

🕉️Architecture Visualizing Water — A Day Exploring Waseda Kannonji Temple🕉️

📍1-7-1 Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (Near Waseda University Okuma Auditorium)
⸻

🏛 First Visit: A Small Temple with a Distinctive Presence on the Street Corner

Walking around the Waseda University campus, you suddenly come across a modern exposed concrete building — that is Waseda Kannonji Temple. Designed by Osamu Ishiyama (Professor Emeritus at Waseda University) and completed in 1996, the main hall’s sophisticated form hardly looks like a temple at first glance, standing as if in dialogue with the surrounding urban landscape.
Introduction: Encountering Extraordinary Quietness and Light in a Corner of the University Town

Passing through the Waseda University campus and leaving behind the bustling student district, you suddenly find this unusual concrete structure — Waseda Kannonji Temple. So modern and serene that it hardly seems like a temple, this place emits an atmosphere distinct from the surrounding city. At night, the illuminated red walls emerge, resembling a contemporary sculpture. It shows different faces by day and night, leaving a strong impression on those who stop by.

🌊 Architectural Concept: Experiencing the Cycle of “Water” Through Architecture

Ishiyama focused on the small stream that once flowed around Waseda and the connection of water to the principal image, the Eleven-Faced Kannon. Pursuing a “form without form” inspired by the site’s shape, the innovative curved roof symbolizes the flow of rainwater, guiding it to a huge silver gutter. The rainwater pierces through the monolithic red wall and pours into a flower vase behind the wall, visualizing the **“symbol of the cycle returning heavenly rain to plants.”**

⸻

🔍 Architectural Details: The Serene Beauty Born from the Contrast of Strength and Softness
• Roof Shape: Curved and smoothly folded, reminiscent of water carved by a stream.
• Angular Walls: Composed of straight lines, expressing the sculptural beauty of water eroding rock.
• Material Texture: A mix of raw concrete and sharp forms, giving it a strong presence in the city, often called an “architectural sculpture.”

⸻

📍 Visiting Points and Impressions of the Atmosphere

Stepping inside, you feel the story of the themes “water” and “space” along with the silence. On the day of the visit, it was almost empty, and despite the open structure, it invites you into an extraordinary experience. You can also observe the mechanism of rainwater pouring into the flower vase (especially striking during rainy seasons).

⸻

2. Architectural Explanation: Design and Philosophy Centered on “Water”

The main hall of this Kannonji Temple was designed by architect Osamu Ishiyama. Focusing on the small stream that once flowed here and the “water” connection with the Eleven-Faced Kannon, the architecture itself is designed to be a **“place to experience the circulation of rainwater.”**
• The large curved roof acts as a device to catch rain.
• Water passes through a silver gutter, pierces the red wall, and falls into a vase behind it.
• The natural blessing of water is returned as the Buddha’s mercy and to the vase holding flowers.
The entire building expresses the invisible “prayer” and “natural cycle.”

⸻

3. Experience Report: Sounds and Prayers Flowing in the Quiet

The day of the visit was cloudy. Fortunately, it started to rain, allowing observation of water flowing from the roof into the vase. The sound of water hitting and the quiet space receiving it — truly an “architecture that listens to water.”

The interior is open and, although a religious facility, it is not stiff, allowing visitors to sit quietly and spend time. Visitors were sparse, and despite being in the city center, it felt like a place for meditation.

⸻

4. Surrounding Guide: Walking Around a Town Surrounded by University and Culture

When visiting Kannonji, exploring nearby cultural spots and cafes is also recommended.
• Okuma Auditorium: A symbol of Waseda University and an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
• Okuma Garden: A 5-minute walk from Kannonji, an urban oasis with seasonal flowers.
• Cafe Tour: Heading toward Anahachiman Shrine, you’ll find popular book cafes and traditional house cafes favored by students and researchers (e.g., Cafe GACCOH, Kissaten Nikai).

⸻

5. Visiting Tips: Use Quietness and Light to Capture Impressive Photos
• Free to visit (quiet viewing allowed except on special event days)
• Photography is great for the exterior, roof, red walls, and flowing water scenes, best taken at different times of day.
Especially dramatic compositions appear after rain or during evening illumination.
• Quiet times are best targeted on weekday mornings to early afternoons.

⸻

🌊 Architectural Concept: Experiencing the Cycle of “Water” Through Architecture

Ishiyama focused on the small stream that once flowed around Waseda and the connection of water to the principal image, the Eleven-Faced Kannon. Pursuing a “form without form” inspired by the site’s shape, the innovative curved roof symbolizes the flow of rainwater, guiding it to a huge silver gutter. The rainwater pierces through the monolithic red wall and pours into a flower vase behind the wall, visualizing the **“symbol of the cycle returning heavenly rain to plants.”**

⸻

🔍 Architectural Details: The Serene Beauty Born from the Contrast of Strength and Softness
• Roof Shape: Curved and smoothly folded, reminiscent of water carved by a stream.
• Angular Walls: Composed of straight lines, expressing the sculptural beauty of water eroding rock.
• Material Texture: A mix of raw concrete and sharp forms, giving it a strong presence in the city, often called an “architectural sculpture.”

⸻

📍 Visiting Points and Impressions of the Atmosphere

Stepping inside, you feel the story of the themes “water” and “space” along with the silence. On the day of the visit, it was almost empty, and despite the open structure, it invites you into an extraordinary experience. You can also observe the mechanism of rainwater pouring into the flower vase (especially striking during rainy seasons).

#TripcomMoments Travel Tips