Upon hearing that the Nago City Hall, designed by Atelier Zo, might be demolished, I visited once again to document it.
This was my second visit, but I was once more overwhelmed by the sheer power of the architecture. Completed in 1981, the building has become fully integrated with the climate of Okinawa, blending seamlessly into the surrounding nature after 44 years.
The structure coexists with plants, welcomes birds and insects, and fosters a harmonious relationship with people. Its gentle connection between inside and outside creates a variety of unique spaces.
It was disappointing to see that the 56 Shisa statues, once a symbol of the building, had been removed due to aging. Still, I was able to appreciate the true essence of this remarkable piece of architecture.
This time, I captured the sunlight of Okinawa and the spirit of the building using my GR III. ■
All photos in this article were taken with a RICOH GR III and edited in Lightroom.
All images are protected by copyright. Please contact me for usage requests.
Location: Nago City, Okinawa
This map shows the approximate area where the photos were taken.
