traditionally, according to local ordinances, no building in kyoto, the old capital of japan (prior to the establishment of edo, now tokyo of course) should be taller than the tallest buddhist temple.
however, during the 1990s under the architect and engineer hiroshi hara, the older kyoto station (京都駅) was radically rebuilt much to the consternation of and not a little hostility from local people, religious groups, and traditionalists. i’ve seen the building described as ‘futuristic’, but to me it has the playfulness, asymmetry, and historicism of the postmodernism of the previous decade. it now seems very popular with the local population, with its open plan ascent by mutiple escalator to the heavens, or the isetan department store and restaurants of the upper floors and roof.
anyway, an aspect of this city not normally associated with the temples, stone, and moss gardens, which bring the millions of tourists every day of every year.