4 JAPAN HAS MULTIPLE EXAMPLES OF THE BLENDING OF NATURE AND URBAN The pine forests of the Kii Peninsular with the multitude of tall trees surround the ancient pilgrim route the kumano Kodo as it connects a series of grand shrines that re-interpret nature. NATURE URBAN The waterfall of Nachi became a place of worship in the 4th century when a priest found a small image of Kannon at the base of the falls. The 133 metre waterfall is one of the highest in Japan. At the base of the Umeda Sky Building in Osaka is a traditional Japanese garden and a modern green structure designed by Todao Ando called the “Wall of Hope” to reflect the importance of nature. The Fushimi Inari-Taisha in Kyoto has an endless series of vermillion torii gates that reflect the adjoining pine forests but in a clearly urban constructed form. The vermillion arcades stretch across the thickly wooded mountain. The Nachi Taisha shrine was built in homage to the waterfall’s kami along with a series of religious buildings that relate to the waterfall including a reconstructed three storey pagoda that was destroyed 300 years ago. The Umeda Sky Building was developed by Sekisui House and it is their head office. The 40 storey building designed by Hiroshi Hara is actually two towers with a series of viewing decks and escalators joining the two towers.