Where to Urban-Sketching in Japan
November, 10th 2018
Illustration title : Kendou
Illustrator : Destiana (me)
Drawing media : Wacom on Photoshop
Drawing date : 26th August 2018
If we talk about Japan, we can't separate it from culture and neighborhood's warmth. I really amused by places where local value showed in building & urban design and neighborhood social interaction. They didn’t built their houses by purpose to attract tourists I guess, they just make their own houses with what they believe is good in many aspects, including culture. I can feel the warmth of the houses or buildings as if I can feel the warmth of the people just by looking at them. If I have a chance to spend 14 days in Japan, I will go to lot of enchanting urban spots to draw all of them since I love to draw especially nature, urban and architectural objects.
Here's the list of places that I want to draw in Japan since all of them have unique urban-sketching materials in my opinion :
1. Shirakawa-go, Gifu
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| picture source : maps.google.com |
This place is called Shirakawa-go Village located in Gifu Perfecture. UNESCO officially announce that Shirakawa-go as a World Heritage Site in Japan by 1995. These house's structures are completely mesmerizing. Complete sustainable yet had a great system to keep the interior warm in winter and keeping it cool in summer. I don't really wanna miss this village as a sketching material if I had a chance to go there.
2. Kawagoe, Tokyo
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| picture source : www.japantimes.co.jp |
Can you believe that this little edo is still part of metropolitan city in Japan? Kawagoe is situated in northwest of Tokyo, to be specific in Saitama Perfecture, Tokyo. It is so refreshing that we still can find traditional houses around super modern buildings near it. We can find traditional candy, snack, toys and stuff there. I guess Kawagoe is one of that makes Tokyo still warm as a mega city.
3. Yanaka, Tokyo
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| picture source : maps.google.com |
This charming neighborhood is the oldest district in Tokyo. We can find a lot of interesting stores and coffee shops here with vintage vibes. The stores it self that makes Yanaka is quite sexy to be considered as sketching materials.
4. Ginzan riverside, Tohoku
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| picture source : https://www.travels.la/8-best-hot-springs-in-tohoku-region.html |
Ginzan onsen in located in ginzan riverside, Yamagata Perfecture, Tohoku. This place is completely astonishing place for relaxation. The nature is great and everything here seems work together to make a great atmosphere. Those wooden buildings are mesmerizing with beautiful clean river between them makes Ginzan is preferable as sketching materials in my opinion.
5. Nukumori no mori, Shizuoka
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| picture source : maps.google.com |
Far from Japan's image which has strong bond with wood and clay, Nukumori offers a different style of buildings. The old European village image is strong here with limestone wall, chimneys, doors shape and disordered windows arrangement. This will be interesting to uncover different side of Japan via sketches.
6. Shimokitazawa, Tokyo
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Shimokitazawa is one of hipster places in Tokyo. We can easily find vintage clothes and stuff stores there which makes this place is so popular among Tokyo juvenile. This place is kinda perfect to capture the hip culture in Tokyo by sketching the neighborhood.
7. Jiguyaoka, Tokyo
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Little Europe is a right name to call Jiyugaoka. It is nice to discover different side of Tokyo which have European vibes. Quite interesting to make it as sketching materials.
8. Otaru Canal, Hokkaido
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| picture source : maps.google.com |
The atmosphere here is really nice. People interaction is pretty high here that makes Otaru Canal more lively. It is nice to sketch a place that have high rise buildings, old buildings, river, mountain and pedestrian in one frame.
9. Harajuku, Tokyo
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Harajuku is the most lively place in Tokyo where lots of young people gathered. Located in Shibuya District makes Harajuku reachable for most of people. Isn't it great having a place that is crowded of expressive people, cute store buildings, nice fashion, coffee shop, and eatery to sketch off?
10. Nakazakicho, Osaka
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| picture source : maps.google.com |
Nakazakicho is a hip district in Osaka which offer a unique vibes with old building that revitalized into cafes, gift stores, hairdressers, etc. Perhaps we have to explore more to find hidden gems there.
11. Dotonburi, Osaka
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I guess Dotonburi is the most lively and modern place in Osaka, different from Osaka's image which well known as traditional and culture. I think it is nice to expose more different side of Osaka by sketching it.
12. Higashiyama, Kyoto
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| picture source : maps.google.com |
The well preserved historic neighborhood in Kyoto is probably be the most wanted by urban sketchers to unveil the most ancient side of Japan.
13. Yatai, Fukuoka
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| picture source : maps.google.com |
Fukuoka is popular with it's food stalls. Situated beside a river, food stalls is crowded by people who searching for street food while sightseeing the river and having conversation with friends or even strangers. this lively atmosphere makes this place great as a sketching materials.
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