This unusual outdoor plaza is an urban "garden" depicting reproductions of some notable artworks. Why would anyone want to see ceramic recreations of Michaelangelo's "Last Judgment" or DaVinci's "Last Supper" in Kyoto? The main reason is that the renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando designed the architectural container of the artistic representations in 1994.
The entrance fee is rather minimal, and the ticket booth area has public restrooms and brochures with a handful of souvenirs on sale. A stroll through here takes you on a sampler of six western art masterpieces (the other original artists featured are Monet, Renoir, Seurat and Van Gogh) and two Asian examples. Some of the reproductions are close to full-scale (the Last Judgment consists of 110 ceramic panels), while some are blow-ups of the original scale. Monet's "Water Lilies" is displayed on an inclined lower surface, as if you were looking down at an actual lily pond. Minimalist metal frames border the artworks.
Ando’s trademark use of concrete allows for a dynamic design featuring an interesting juxtaposition of ramps, walkways, beams, overhangs and thin walls. The peaceful plaza also has a soothing water cascade. The minimal entrance fee prevents anyone from just wandering into the plaza. There is no parking at the location.
Seeing a reproduction of the "Last Judgment" in an outside plaza is obviously not the same as seeing the real thing in the Sistine Chapel, but the plaza serves as an educational and enlightening device for those who are unable to see the original works of art.