Mt.Fuji World Heritage Centre | Shigeru Ban Architects

The building, with exterior walls of latticed wood, is based on an inverted image of Mt. Fuji, so when it is reflected in the large pool of water in front of it, the reflection looks like the mountain. The Mt. Fuji reflected in the water is a symbolic representation of Fuji as a “mountain of water.”

Inside the building shaped like an inverted mountain is a spiral curved slope which leads gradually from the first floor up to the fifth. Viewing the exhibits as they ascend the slope, visitors can enjoy a virtual taste of the experience of climbing the mountain. When they reach the top (fifth) floor, there is an observation hall with a large picture window offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the real Mt. Fuji, which changes its expression from moment to moment.

Spring water from Mt. Fuji is drawn into the Centre building and used as an air conditioning heat source, and is then channeled to the Reflecting Pool in front of the building, architecturally conveying the cycle of water on Mt. Fuji.

Architecture: Shigeru Ban Architects

Structure and MEP: Arup

Lighting Design: Lighting Planners Associates

Landscape Design: Studio Onsite

Fire Consultant: Akeno Facility Resilience

Acoustic: Nagata Acoustics

QS: Akane Architectural Consultants

Sign: Nippon Design Center

Exhibition content director: Shinichi Takemrua

Exhibition design director: Edwin Schlossberg

Exhibition design/installation: Tanseisha