Architecture for the next generation

You don’t have to be a building buff to have heard of – or seen the work of – Tadao Ando. The Osaka-born architect’s minimalist aesthetic of exposed concrete, clean lines and play with light and shadows has influenced cityscapes the world over. But it’s in and around his hometown where the self-taught maestro has built most prolifically, shaping Osaka’s skyline along with the city’s urban identity.

The summer 2026 issue of Time Out Japan magazine is dedicated to Ando and his life’s work of designing for the next generation. You can read our exclusive interview with the boxer-turned-architect himself below, along with an in-depth look at his standout buildings across the Kansai region.