Towards a Nude Architecture is a visually rich exploration of Japan’s bathing culture and the architecture of onsen. As one of the most volcanically active regions in the world, Japan is home to nearly 30,000 naturally occurring hot springs. These onsen vary in temperature, mineral composition, and color, and have shaped the country’s cultural, spiritual, and architectural history for centuries.
Tracing the historical timeline of Japanese hot springs, the book reveals how onsen culture intersects with ancient religions, imperial history, medical practices, and contemporary pop culture. More than places of relaxation, onsen represent a vital element of Japanese national identity and a unique form of public architecture rooted in nature.
Combining photography, drawings, collages, and architectural diagrams created over more than a decade of travel, Towards a Nude Architecture presents a compelling visual study of water, steam, and space. Structured in three chapters—past, present, and future—the publication examines the spiritual origins of ritual bathing, the evolution of bathhouse architecture, and the poetic relationship between architecture, landscape, and the naked body.
At a time when many traditional bathhouses face declining visitor numbers, increasing privatization, and the long-term effects of global crises, this book highlights the urgency of preserving onsen as essential public spaces. Ideal for readers interested in Japanese architecture, bathhouse design, cultural history, landscape architecture, and public space, Towards a Nude Architecture is both an architectural study and a tribute to one of Japan’s most enduring traditions.
