Vanishing Japan: Modern Architecture, Gone But Not Forgotten

Modern Gone Forgotten: Vanishing Japan is a visual record of post-war Japanese buildings that have been demolished, with a focus on around 90 losses since 2000. Its duotone presentation and added contextual sections suit readers interested in architecture, urban history and the changing built environment.

At a glance

Centres on approximately 90 buildings demolished since 2000, with examples from across Japan.
Covers theatres, shopping centres and offices mainly built from the 1950s to the 1970s, alongside selected later examples.
An introduction, afterword and deep-dive interludes add context to the building-focused record.
The listing describes the book's visual design as duotone.

Price

£23.25Save 34%

Reference price: ~~£35.00~~

Price checked: 14 Nov 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

Combines architectural imagery with discussion of why buildings were demolished, offering more context than a purely visual catalogue.
The selection reaches beyond Tokyo and Osaka to include landmarks from around the country.
Its 304-page length provides space for both building examples and contextual sections.

Technical specifications

9 specifications

Publication
Publisher	Thames and Hudson Ltd
Publication date	20 Aug. 2026
Edition	1st
Language	English
Print length	304 pages
ISBN-10	0500028281
ISBN-13	978-0500028285

Dimensions and installation
Dimensions	19.81 x 3.3 x 25.15 cm
Weight listed	1.2 kg

What to know before buying

The listing says the book focuses on around 90 buildings demolished since 2000. The covered buildings were largely built between the 1950s and 1970s, with selected examples from the 1980s and 1990s.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers of Japanese architecture and post-war design.
People interested in urban change, preservation and the reasons buildings are replaced.
A visual reference for architecture students, designers or Japan-focused book collections.

Less suited to

Readers seeking a guide to surviving buildings or a comprehensive history of all Japanese architecture.
Buyers who need a lightweight book to carry regularly, given the listed weight of 1.2 kg.

Vanishing Japan: Modern Architecture, Gone But Not Forgotten · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

3.9 / 5 · 3 ratings

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The listing provides aggregate ratings but no written customer feedback. The small rating sample is divided between five-star and two-star ratings, so it offers limited guidance about how readers respond to the book or its coverage.

Frequently asked questions

What does Vanishing Japan cover?

It records demolished post-war buildings in Japan, focusing on around 90 buildings lost since 2000 and adding context through introductory, concluding and deep-dive sections.

Which periods and building types are represented?

The description highlights theatres, shopping centres and offices built mainly between the 1950s and 1970s, with selected examples from the 1980s and 1990s.

Is the book limited to Tokyo and Osaka?

No. The listing says it includes examples from across Japan, although many of the buildings were in Tokyo and Osaka.

What is the book's format and length?

The listing describes a duotone visual presentation and gives a print length of 304 pages.