Japan · cityscapes and cars

3 min read Sep 12, 2019

This post is the second in a series of four about our latest trip to Japan.

Series

Part 2 · Cityscapes and Cars

Of the many qualities that draw me to Japan, the design of the built environment pulls me the strongest. I love the cityscapes, residential architecture, skyscrapers, typography, iconography, signage, manhole covers, train color schemes, cars, and on and on.

When it comes to buildings, Japan has a distinctive set of constraints. Density, unique zoning laws, construction regulations, and a tendency to rebuild houses every few decades makes Japanese cities unlike anywhere else. Modern and traditional architecture live next door to each other. Residential areas full of single-family homes may be less dense, yet they remain walkable with easy access to public transit, retail, and restaurants.

Similarly, another unique set of constraints make Japan a car watchers dream. While most vehicles in the US and other developed countries are usually white, black, or some shade of gray, Japanese cars can be found in a rainbow of colors.

Also, I would wager that the Japanese have the largest number of unique models of cars available to them. Each Japanese domestic manufacturer sells two to three times as many different models in Japan as it does in the United States. Add in the fact that nearly every other automobile manufacturer imports cars into Japan and you have a very diverse set of cars.

What follows are a set of my favorite photos of cityscapes and cars from my trip.