mixed

L-shaped Hanok

A traditional Korean house layout characterized by connecting two straight-lined houses at a right angle, preferred for a larger yard.

Geungnakjeon Hall

A building with seven compartments in the front, three at the sides, and a gabled roof, standing on stone stairways.

Hyangwonjeong Pavilion

A two-storey hexagonal pavilion built on a small island in Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Yeongjegyo Bridge

A bridge in Gyeongbokgung Palace symbolizing purification before entering, over the Geumcheon stream.

Ondol

A traditional heating system in Korean houses that utilizes direct heat transfer from wood smoke to the underside of a masonry floor.

Cheoma

The edge of the curvy roofs of Hanok.

Hanok

A term used to describe traditional Korean houses, also known as Chosun houses.

Baeheullim

A design principle in ancient architecture where columns are made thinner at the base, thicker in the middle, and taller at corners.

Dabotap Stone Pagoda

A unique stone pagoda found on the 10 won coin, known for its cultural significance and damaged in the 2016 earthquake.

Goguryeo Dynasty

A kingdom that ruled northern Korea during the Three Kingdoms period, known for its rich cultural heritage.

Chusimp’o style

A Korean architectural style influenced by Chinese architecture of the T’ang period, featuring unique bracketing systems.

Heunginjimun Gate

Also known as Dongdaemun Gate, originally built in 1396 to protect the city from enemies.

Maru

The main hall of a traditional Korean house, typically wooden-floored.

Goryeo Dynasty

A kingdom known for cultural and artistic flourishing, it is the origin of modern Korea's English name.

Heumgyeonggak Pavilion

A pavilion built in 1438 used for astronomical and agricultural observations by King Sejong.

Tap’o/Dapo style

A bracketing unit system used in Korean Buddhist halls, often used decoratively.

Choga

Straw-thatched roofs characteristic of Hanok.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

A palace complex built in 1395, known for its significant cultural heritage.

Ujingak Roof

A roof type with four slanted sides, typically found in prestigious buildings.

Giwa

Clay tile roof specific to Hanok architecture.

Baekje Dynasty

One of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, noted for its high culture and architectural influence.

Joseon Dynasty

The dynasty founded by Yi Seong-gye, emphasizing Confucian values and societal reform.

Geunjeongjeon Hall

The main throne hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace, originally built in 1395.

Ohoe Tombs

Tombs from the 6th-7th century in Ji'an, Northeastern China, known for their wall paintings.

Octagonal Nine-story Stone Pagoda of Woljeongsa Temple

A stone pagoda with a tabernacle for a Buddhist statue, notable for its height.

Silla Dynasty

A kingdom that ruled southeastern Korea, noted for its gold crowns and alliance with the Tang Dynasty.

Muryangsu Hall of Pusŏk Temple

A hall dedicated to Amitabha, symbolically representing his Western Paradise.

U-shaped Hanok

A type of Hanok where the main hall and kitchen are centrally located with bedrooms in the wings.

Tomb of the General

A large pyramid-like tomb from Goguryeo located in Ji'an, showcasing the power of its elite.

Seokgatap Stone Pagoda

A tall three-tiered stone pagoda containing what is believed to be the world's oldest woodblock print.

Straight-lined Hanok

A Hanok layout featuring compact interiors and more windows for natural light.

Paljak Roof

Considered an intricate roof structure in Korean architecture, often seen in palaces and temples.

Matbe Roof

Simplest roof structure in Korea, lacking many ornamental features.

Seokguram Grotto (Sokkuram)

A Buddhist cave temple from the Unified Silla Period, renowned for its large Buddha statue.

Miruksa Pagoda

The oldest extant stone pagoda in Korea, built during the Baekje kingdom.

Sinmumun Gate

The northern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace that protected the site from northern attacks.

k’a unit

A unit of measurement in Korean architecture based on the distance between two posts.

Chongnimsa Pagoda

A five-story pagoda representing Baekje art, known for its balance and craftsmanship.

Cheomseongdae Observatory

An astronomical observatory built during Queen Seondeok's reign.

Twin Pagoda, Kamunsa Temple

Pagodas made of 82 stones, showcasing significant architectural advancements of Unified Silla.

Tomb of King Tongmyong/Dongmyeong

A royal tomb of the founder of Goguryeo kingdom, achieving UNESCO World Heritage status.

Square-shaped Hanok

Preferred in northern Korea, known for its warmth and spacious interiors.

Namdaemun Gate (Sungnyemun)

A historical gate in Seoul originally built in 1395 and later renovated.

Mojeon-seoktap, Punhwangsa

A stone pagoda resembling a brick structure, with only three of the original nine stories remaining.

Shimogamo Shrine

A Shinto shrine located at the junction of two rivers, surrounded by a preserved forest.

Shinden-zukuri

A style of Japanese architecture used in aristocratic mansions during the Heian period.

Kinkakuji

Also known as the Golden Pavilion, a Zen temple covered in gold leaf.

Ken

A unit of measurement in traditional Japanese architecture, usually designating the interval between columns.

Irimoya-zukuri

A roof style combining hipped and gable roofs, providing stability in construction.

Daidokoro

The kitchen in a traditional Japanese home.

Washitsu or Nihonma

Traditional Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats as flooring.

Yayoi Period

A historical period marked by the beginning of rice farming and permanent settlements.

Himeji castle

A UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the White Egret Castle, constructed in the early 17th century.

Tateana-shiki

A traditional Japanese dwelling built in a depression with a thatched roof.

Shinto

Japan's indigenous belief system centered around nature and ancestral spirits.

Hogyo-zukuri

A pyramid-shaped roof type used in traditional Japanese architecture.

Sento

Local establishments in Japan providing hot water for public bathing.

Genkan

The entryway or vestibule inside a traditional Japanese home.

Onsen

A natural hot spring bath prevalent in Japan, geothermally heated.

Kamidana

A small Shinto shrine placed inside a house for daily worship.

Torii

A traditional Japanese gate leading to a Shinto shrine, symbolizing the transition to sacred space.

Usa Jingū

A significant Shinto shrine located at the base of the Kunisaki Peninsula.

Chigaidana

Staggered shelving built into walls beside alcoves in Japanese homes.

Kumimono & Tokyõ

Bracketing structures used in various Japanese temples to support roofs.

Izumo Oyashiro Grand Shrine

One of Japan's oldest shrines, historically significant in Shinto worship.

Yosemune-zukuri

An architectural style characterized by a flat-roofed design common in eastern Japan.

Shinmei-zukuri

A honden style in shrine architecture featuring unique post structures.

Kirizuma-zukuri

The oldest and simplest roof style in Japanese architecture, a cut-out gable design.

Takayuka-shiki

An architectural style used for warehouses built on stilts.

Fusuma

Sliding doors in traditional Japanese homes, often decorated.

Taisha-zukuri

A honden style structure with graceful, curved roof lines.

Tatami

Rectangular mats used as flooring in traditional Japanese houses.

Hachiman-zukuri

A shrine style connecting buildings back-to-back for ceremonial purposes.

Oshiire

A storage section in traditional Japanese homes, often divided by shelves.

Minka

Residential houses built using traditional Japanese designs post-Meiji period.

Jomon Period

The earliest historical period in Japan characterized by pit dwellings.

Kamigamo Shrine

Known for its sand cones used for ritual purification.

Todai-ji

A significant Buddhist temple in Nara housing a large bronze statue of Buddha.

Sumiyoshi-zukuri

A style of shrine architecture without a traditional veranda or center pillar.

Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine

One of Japan's oldest shrines, founded before Buddhism's introduction.

Donjon

The term in Japanese for castle towers.

Shoji

Translucent paper-covered sliding doors used in Japanese homes.

Shitennoji Temple

One of Japan's oldest temples, established as the head temple for provincial Buddhism.

Tokonoma

A decorated alcove in Japanese homes, used for displaying art and seasonal decorations.

Shoin-zukuri

A residential architectural style influential in Japanese homes, featuring decorative elements.

Washiki

The traditional Japanese squat toilet.

Ise Grand Shrine

A major Shinto shrine, dedicated to the goddess Amaterasu, considered Japan's spiritual home.

Buddhism

A religion introduced to Japan in the 6th century, merging with Shinto beliefs.

Nagare-zukuri

A shrine architectural style characterized by an extended curved roof.

Horyuji Temple

One of Japan's oldest temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with ancient wooden structures.

Ofuro

The traditional Japanese bath, often included in homes.

Butsudan

A Buddhist altar at home used for honoring ancestors.

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

A celebrated shrine in Nara, known for its lanterns and historical significance.

Kasuga-zukuri

A honden style employing elegant curves in shrine architecture.

Shikidai

The wooden step found inside the entrance of a Japanese home.

Kamado

Traditional Japanese cook stove that uses wood or charcoal as fuel.

Engawa

A floor extension resembling a veranda, serving as a passageway and sitting space.

Shwezigon Pagoda

A significant pagoda built in the 11th century to house relics of Gautama Buddha.

Changmai/Lan Na Period

An architectural style known for large shrines and small temple halls.

Wat Phra Kaew

A temple complex in Bangkok housing the Emerald Buddha, built by King Rama I.