The Awaji Yumebutai (淡路夢舞台) is a complex comprising a conference center, hotel and memorial in Awaji, Hyōgo, Japan, built near the epicenter of the 1995 Great Hanshin Awaji earthquake. It was designed by Tadao Ando,[1][2] who had begun planning for the project (as a park) prior to the earthquake.[3] The hotel is operated as the Westin Awaji Island Resort [ja].

Etymology

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Yumebutai (夢舞台) literally means "Dream Stage",[4] from yume (, "dream") and butai (舞台, "performance stage, setting"). Metaphorically "a place in which to dream",[5] the name refers to the aim of restoring the ecology of the island,[6] whose soil had been partly removed for land reclamation in Osaka.[3]

 
Hyakudanen

Hyakudanen

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One of the most distinctive features in the complex is the Hyakudanen (百段苑, "hundred stepped gardens"), a group of 100 flower beds (small square gardens) on an incline, arranged in grids spread over several levels. The "hundred" refers to the number of mini-gardens and not the steps, as there are 1,575 steps and 235 flights.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "About Yumebutai". Awaji Yumebutai International Conference Center. 2006. Archived from the original on 2017-12-24. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
  2. ^ Martin Bermudez. "Geophysical and Seismic Analysis: Of Two Architectural Wonders". Geolabs-Hawaii Hillside Design Laboratory at the University of Hawaii School of Architecture. Archived from the original on 2008-05-28. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
  3. ^ a b c Bos, Karel. "The 100 step garden (Hyakudan-en)".
  4. ^ Jodidio, Philip (2001). Architecture d'aujourd'hui. Taschen. p. 18. ISBN 978-3-8228-6065-6.
  5. ^ "[Article title unknown]". World Architecture (87–91). Grosvenor Press Int'l: 79. 2000. [...] meaning 'place of dreams' or 'place in which to dream' - is the name given by Tadao Ando to his latest, and largest, work.
  6. ^ Ponti, Gio (2000). Domus. Casa ed. Domus. p. 27. The dream here is about the ecological restoration of a part of the isle of Awaji [..]
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34°33′45″N 135°00′37″E / 34.562628°N 135.010185°E / 34.562628; 135.010185