First, Let’s See the Actual Object

Kamioooka, one of Yokohama’s largest stations after Yokohama Station itself, consists of three main buildings along the Kamakura Kaido road: the Keikyu Department Store on the left, the central building housing the Wing Kamioooka commercial facility and the Konan Ward Civic Cultural Center, and a 24-story office tower.

The first floor has a bus terminal built inside the complex. Very useful on rainy days.

Within this vast and complex station building, let’s first locate and examine the “place name sculpture at Wing Kamioooka” that was pointed out.

This is it.

It’s located in the central building’s atrium garden court.

It appears to be shaped like an open book.

Seen from the back, it looks like this. If it’s a book, this might be the front cover.

What exactly is this?

— This is art. The artist is Navin Rawanchaikul from Thailand. The work is titled “The History of ‘Me’ Inside You.”

The 11 place names inscribed on each side of the open pages are names from the Konan area, and the photo printed on the cover side is of Kamioooka Station as it was in 1961. Furthermore, it’s said that inside this sculpture are messages for the future from 300 local children.

The Area Around Kamioooka Station is a Modern Art Spot!

In 1996, when the station building “Yume Oooka” opened in Kamioooka, 19 pieces of public art were installed around the station.

The place name sculpture is one of those works.

All 19 pieces can still be viewed by anyone as part of daily life—after all, they are public art. Moreover, the roster of artists featured is impressive.

Near the place name sculpture, in the center court atrium, is a work by Yoshitomo Nara.

In the central building’s 4th-floor elevator lobby is Takashi Murakami’s signature character, “Mr. DOB.”

The entire rooftop garden above the central building, on the South Wing, is artistic.

There, you can find a work by Noritoshi Hirakawa with philosophical text on pillars.

And a subtle work by Nobuo Nagasawa engraved on the risers of a staircase.

The artworks are not only inside the station building but also placed in the surrounding area.

The most prominent among them is probably this large blue sculpture symbolizing Kamioooka Station.

This is Hiroshi Yoshimizu’s work “Bloom.”

The sculpture on the sidewalk in front of the North Wing is also his work, “Good Luck.”

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Matsumoto

Matsumoto is a city in Japan’s Nagano Prefecture, most famous for Matsumoto Castle, one of the country’s premier historic castles. Completed in the late 16th century, it is renowned for its striking black exterior and being one of Japan’s oldest and most complete original castle keeps. The city itself also serves as a gateway to the Japanese Alps and has a rich history as a former castle town.

Oga

Oga is a city located on the Oga Peninsula in Akita Prefecture, Japan, known for its dramatic coastal scenery and unique cultural traditions. It is most famous for the Namahage Festival, a centuries-old New Year’s ritual where men dressed as demon-like deities (Namahage) visit homes to scare children into behaving well. This tradition, recognized by UNESCO, is said to have originated from the visits of mountain deities or from historical encounters with shipwrecked foreigners.

Shishido

Shishido is a historic town in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, best known as the birthplace of the Shishido clan, a samurai family that served the Tokugawa shogunate in the Edo period. Today, it is primarily a residential area within the city of Kasama, with its history preserved at sites like the Shishido Samurai Residence.

Kamioooka Station

Kamioooka Station is a railway station located in Yokohama, Japan, serving the municipal subway’s Blue Line. It opened in 1999 to serve the developing urban area of the same name, making it a relatively modern station. Its primary purpose is to provide commuter access to the surrounding residential and commercial districts.

Yume Oooka

Yume Oooka is a large public park located in Yokohama, Japan, which opened in 2003. It was developed on the site of a former US military housing area, known as Negishi Housing, as part of a project to return the land to the city and create a green space for residents. The park’s name, which translates to “Great Hill of Dreams,” reflects its purpose as a place of recreation and relaxation for the community.

Wing Kamioooka

I am unable to find any verifiable information on a place or cultural site named “Wing Kamioooka.” It is possible the name may be misspelled or refers to a very localized or private location not widely documented in historical or cultural sources. Could you please verify the spelling or provide any additional context?

Konan Ward Civic Cultural Center

The Konan Ward Civic Cultural Center is a modern public facility in Yokohama, Japan, designed to serve the local community. It was established to provide a space for cultural activities, performances, and civic events. While its specific construction date isn’t widely documented, it reflects the post-war development of Yokohama’s wards to foster community engagement and the arts.

Keikyu Department Store

Keikyu Department Store is a major Japanese retail establishment originally founded in 1930 as part of the Keikyu Corporation, a private railway operator. It is strategically located at Keikyu Kamata Station in Tokyo, serving as a key commercial hub that has evolved alongside the railway’s development to cater to commuters and local shoppers.