Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Izumo Dome. One of he biggest wooden buildings in Japan.


Depending on how you define "biggest" or "largest", then the Izumo Dome is the biggest wooden building in Japan. Most sources give the biggest wooden building in the WORLD as the Great Hall housing the Buddha at Todai-Ji in Nara, but the Izumo Dome is a little taller, and has a larger base area, but because of its shape it contains a smaller volume than Todai-Ji.


Anyway, its a pretty impressive structure. Built in 1992, and designed by the Kajima Corporation, it stands more than 49 metres high and has a diameter of 143 metres.


The design is modelled on a Japanese umbrella, and the translucent skin means no artificial lighting is needed during the daytime. It doesn't actually get used much as there are no pro sports team in the area, and most days a 200yen entrance fee will get you inside to look around.


Its located about 10k from Izumo Station, not too far from Izumo taisha, close the the Kitayama mountains.


Actually I recently discovered an even larger wooden stadium, the Nipro Hachiko Stadium in Akita, and it also looks cool, but I still like the symmetry of the umbrella design of Izumo Dome.





Posted by Ojisanjake at 1:32 PM
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12 comments:

  1. wesAugust 27, 2009 at 11:04 PM

    another great example of a completely unnecessary public works project,eh. At least the folks in Shimane Pref. decided on something visually appealing.

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  2. OjisanjakeAugust 27, 2009 at 11:19 PM

    all the local schools get to use it.... more useful than the roads and tunnels that are still being built...

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  3. an englishmanAugust 28, 2009 at 12:51 AM

    Outstanding pics as usual; especially like the 4th and 5th.

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  4. AnonymousAugust 28, 2009 at 11:23 AM

    What a beautiful building. I would like one of those. But maybe a bit smaller. How does it sound inside when the wind is blowing? Does the snow slide off and make noise? I am trying to imagine it and how it looks inside during the day. What are it's dimensions?

    hago'onee
    ya-ZZZZ

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  5. OjisanjakeAugust 28, 2009 at 4:00 PM

    Ya'a'tee Ya-zzzz

    there are more photos of it her... http://www.ipernity.com/doc/ojisanjake/album/98337

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  6. AnnAugust 28, 2009 at 7:36 PM

    Beautiful "glimpse" as usual! I look forward to the results of your roamings.

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  7. OjisanjakeAugust 28, 2009 at 7:49 PM

    Thanks Ann :)

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  8. AnonymousAugust 29, 2009 at 12:37 AM

    It's just beautiful Jake, thanks for sharing them here

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  9. DCLAugust 29, 2009 at 8:02 AM

    I used to ride my bicycle by here a few days a week, but never went in. What a shame.

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  10. 象さんSeptember 2, 2009 at 3:04 PM

    Thats incredible! I thought Nara at your title, and that is so impressive-especially with the naked eye. But this shape! And wood!! Incredible!!! I want to see it.

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  11. OjisanjakeSeptember 3, 2009 at 12:00 AM

    If you take the sleeper train from Tokyo to Izumo you go past it :)

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  12. Andrew Nyorik NibuJuly 9, 2012 at 10:46 PM

    The building was really fantastic, made of wooden structure and moreoer, the dome was rotating. Cricket field in the building. I am not sure the situation now. My visit to the dome was way back in September 2000 i.e. almost 11 years ago. Hope some one can update me on the present situation.

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