“Good enough is not enough. Good enough is going to be mediocre. And you’re going to need to differentiate through design, through craft, through point of view, through brand, through storytelling, and marketing.” This stark pronouncement from Dylan Field, co-founder and CEO of Figma, sets the tone for a compelling discussion with Jack Altman on […]
Image of antibodies created from scratch. (UW Institute for Protein Design / Ian C. Haydon Graphic)
Researchers from Nobel Laureate David Baker’s lab and the University of Washington’s Institute for Protein Design (IPD) have used artificial intelligence to design antibodies from scratch — notching another game-changing breakthrough for the scientists and their field of research.
“It was really a grand challenge — a pipe dream,” said Andrew Borst, head of electron microscopy R&D at IPD. Now that they’ve hit the milestone of engineering antibodies that successfully bind to their targets, the research “can go on and it can grow to heights that you can’t imagine right now.”
Borst and his colleagues are publishing their work in the peer-reviewed journal Nature.
Before the advent of AI-based tools, scientists made antibodies by immunizing animals and hoping they would produce useful molecules. The process was laborious and expensive, but tremendously important. Many powerful new drugs for treating cancer and autoimmune diseases are antibody-based, using the proteins to hit specific targets.
Baker, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry last year, was recognized for his work unraveling the molecular design of proteins and developing AI-powered tools to rapidly build and test new ones. The technology learns from existing proteins and how they function, then creates designs to solve specific challenges.
In the new research, the team focused on the six loops of protein on the antibody’s arms that serves as fingers that grab its target. Earlier efforts would tweak maybe one of the loops, but the latest technology allows for a much bigger play.
“We are starting totally from scratch — from the loop perspective — so we’re designing all six,” said Robert Ragotte, a postdoctoral researcher at IPD. “But the rest of the antibody, what’s called the framework, that is actually staying the same.”
The hope is that by retaining the familiar humanness of most of the antibody, a patient’s immune system would ignore the drug rather than mount an offense against an otherwise foreign molecule.
Andrew Borst, left, and Robert Ragotte. (UW and LinkedIn Photos)
The researchers tested their computer creations against multiple real-world targets including hemagglutinin, a protein on flu viruses that allow them to infect host cells; a potent toxin produced by the C. difficile bacteria; and others.
The lab tests showed that in most cases, the new antibodies bound to their targets as the online simulations predicted they would.
“They were binding in the right way with the right shape against the right target at the spot of interest that would potentially be useful for some sort of therapeutic effect,” Borst said. “This was a really incredible result to see.”
Borst added that the computational and wet lab biologists worked closely together, allowing the scientists to refine their digital designs based on what the real-life experiments revealed.
The software used to create the antibodies is freely available on GitHub for anyone to use. Xaira Therapeutics, a well-funded biotech startup led by IPD alumni, has licensed some of the technology for its commercial operations and multiple authors on the Nature paper are currently employed by the company.
While the antibodies created as part of the research demonstrated the software’s potential, there are many more steps to engineering a potential therapy. Candidate drugs need to be optimized for additional features such as high solubility, a strong affinity for a target and minimizing immunogenicity — which is an unwanted immune response.
Before joining IPD four years ago, Ragotte was a graduate student doing conventional antibody discovery and characterization using animals.
The idea that one day you could get on a computer, choose a target, and create a DNA blueprint for building a protein was almost unimaginable, he said. “We would talk about it, but it didn’t even seem like a tractable problem at that point.”
The Nature study is titled “Atomically accurate de novo design of antibodies with RFdiffusion.” The lead authors include Nathaniel Bennett, Joseph Watson, Robert Ragotte, Andrew Borst, DéJenaé See, Connor Weidle and Riti Biswas, all of whom were affiliated with the UW at the time the research was conducted, and Yutong Yu of the University of California, Irvine. David Baker is the senior author.
Additional authors are: Ellen Shrock, Russell Ault, Philip Leung, Buwei Huang, Inna Goreshnik, John Tam, Kenneth Carr, Benedikt Singer, Cameron Criswell, Basile Wicky, Dionne Vafeados, Mariana Sanchez, Ho Kim, Susana Torres, Sidney Chan, Shirley Sun, Timothy Spear, Yi Sun, Keelan O’Reilly, John Maris, Nikolaos Sgourakis, Roman Melnyk and Chang Liu.
The Nanto Kanazawa Line (operated by Kaetsuno Bus) operates six buses daily from bus stop number 2 at the west exit of Kanazawa Station. *Some buses may not pass through Johana. [Kanazawa Station West Exit → Johana Station] Fare: 870 yen
10:30 Depart from the bus stop in front of Johana Station on the World Heritage Bus
directions_bus_filled
To get from Kanazawa to Gokayama, you will need to change buses at Johana. Once you arrive at the bus stop in front of Johana Station, change onto the "World Heritage Bus" (operated by Kaetsuno Bus) and head towards Gokayama. The World Heritage Bus also runs every day. [Johana Station → Ainokura Exit] Fare: 740 yen
[place_master_id=2427 ImageChange=242609 DescriptionChange="{ JR Johana Station is a small terminal station that serves as the gateway to tourism in Nanto City. Buses depart here to major tourist destinations in Nanto City, such as the World Heritage Site of Gokayama Gassho-style Village and the woodcarving town of Inami, making it the perfect base for your trip. The station building has a nostalgic atmosphere, and is also equipped with a tourist information center and bicycle rentals. Be sure to stop by as the starting point for your stroll around Johana's townscape and sightseeing. }" show_photos embed id="goQNXX2uTR"]
11:00 Arrive at Gokayama Ainokura Gassho-style Village
Ainokura Gassho-style Village is a World Heritage Site that sits quietly in the mountains. Over 20 steeply sloping thatched-roof Gassho-style houses remain, and traditional Japanese lifestyles and the original Japanese landscape still thrive. The scenery changes with the seasons, making for excellent photos. Take a stroll and experience the wisdom and culture that has been passed down in the snow country.
Recommended Spot ① Matsuya Teahouse
This set meal is packed with the delights of Gokayama cuisine, including tempura made with fresh locally harvested mountain vegetables.
[place_master_id=17080 DescriptionChange="{ JR Johana Station is a small terminal station that serves as the gateway to tourism in Nanto City. Buses depart here to major tourist destinations in Nanto City, such as the World Heritage Site of Gokayama Gassho-style Village and Inami, the town of wood carving, making it the perfect base for your trip. The station building has a nostalgic atmosphere, and it also houses a tourist information center and bicycle rentals. Be sure to stop by as the starting point for your stroll around Johana's townscape and sightseeing. }" show_photos embed id="n2XHt4WhIC"]
Recommended Spot ② Yusuke Exhibition Hall
The museum provides an easy-to-understand display of what the sericulture industry was like back then. Reproductions of silkworms made from Gokayama washi paper are also on display, along with tools and implements that evoke the days of the time.
There are many photos that convey the atmosphere of that time, taken by the owner himself, a former photographer.
Recommended Spot 3: Gokayama Washi Papermaking Experience Center
You can experiencetraditional papermaking in a charming Gassho-style house.
Gokayama washi paper is a traditional craft with a history of approximately 500 years. It is made by hand and carefully crafted from materials such as kozo (paper mulberry) grown in the snowy mountain villages.
Its durability and beautiful texture make it popular for a wide range of uses, including lighting, letter paper, and interior decoration, and its simple yet elegant appearance is highly acclaimed both at home and abroad.
They sell a variety of dolls made from washi paper. Each one is handmade. They're all adorable and make perfect souvenirs!
12:30 Depart from Ainokuraguchi bus stop on the World Heritage bus to Johana
directions_bus_filled
The Ainokuraguchi bus stop is about a 5-minute walk from the Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village. Get off in front of Johana Station and transfer to the Nanto-Kanazawa Line bus heading towards Inami. [Ainokura → Johana] Fare: 870 yen
13:00 Arrive at Johana Station (11 minutes until transfer)
13:11 Depart from the bus stop in front of Jōhana Station on the Nanto-Kanazawa Line towards Inami
directions_bus_filled
It takes about 20 minutes from Jōhana Station to the Zuisenjiguchi Kotsu Hiroba bus stop. [Johana Station → Zuisenjiguchi Transportation Plaza] Fare: 200 yen
13:29 Arrive at Zuisenjiguchi Kotsu Hiroba bus stop
There is a tourist information center right next to the bus stop, so stop by and pick up a pamphlet.
Inami Yokamachi Street
Inami Yokamachi Street is a historic street that flourished as a temple town for Zuisenji Temple during the Edo period. Woodcarvers who gathered here to rebuild Zuisenji Temple took root in the area, and it eventually became known as " Japan's No. 1 woodcarving village ." Even today, woodcarving workshops and townhouses line the cobblestone streets, and the sounds of craftsmen wielding chisels and mallets echo through the air, strongly retaining the atmosphere of the past. Cafes and souvenir shops are scattered throughout, making this a spot where you can experience traditional crafts and local life while strolling through the historic streets.
You can see the sculptors at work up close, so feel free to take a peek inside the workshop.
Have fun searching for wooden cats!
We will search for wooden cats hiding in the shops along Yokamachi Street from Inami Transportation Plaza to Zuisenji Temple. There are 31 cats in total, including cats sleeping, cats reading newspapers, and cats serving alcohol. Let's try to find the expressive wooden cats. We also recommend making use of the "Map to Find Wooden Cats in Front of Zuisenji Temple," which can be obtained at the Inami Tourist Information Center.
[place_master_id=400 DescriptionChange="{ Yokamachi Street is a symbolic street of Inami, the temple town of Zuisenji Temple, boasting a 600-year history. It has also been selected as one of the "Top 100 Soundscapes of Japan to Preserve" by the Ministry of the Environment. Numerous Inami carving workshops line the street, and the scent of wood and the numerous carvings delight the eyes. As you walk down the street, you can almost hear the sounds of artisans hammering away with their hammers and chisels. You can see beautiful Inami carvings made using traditional techniques everywhere, such as wooden nameplates. There are also an astonishing 31 wooden carved cats hiding along the street. We hope you can find them! }" show_photos embed id="wDWtDbljHO"]
Recommended Spot 1: Wakakoma Brewery
Wakakoma Sake Brewery, located on Yokamachi Street, was founded in 1889. Its flagship brand, "Wakakoma," was named so that Wakakoma sake would be widely loved and familiar, just like Tenkoma, a mountain that soars up to the heavens.
Making use of tradition and techniques, this sake is handcrafted using underground water from the upper Shogawa River. Currently, the brewery is committed to using locally-sourced rice. The sake, painstakingly crafted with each and every paddle, has many loyal fans, and the small-batch production that only a small brewery can offer, with meticulous management and lovingly cultivated sake, has delighted the palates of connoisseurs for many years. In addition to purchasing local sake, you can also sample it in a sake cup that you have carved yourself.
Zuisenji Temple was built approximately 600 years ago. Its gorgeous mountain gate and main hall are filled with beautifully detailed carvings, making it a tourist attraction representative of Inami, a town of artisans. You can enjoy the historic building and the scenery that changes with the seasons, making it a must-see spot when you come to Inami.
Inami carving combines advanced techniques to create three-dimensional expressions with depth, resulting in impressive figures that look as if they could come to life at any moment.
Carving from both sides of the material creates a contrast between light and shadow, resulting in a delicate and beautiful piece.
Admission fee: Adults (high school students and above) 500 yen
[place_master_id=1892 DescriptionChange="{ Zuisenji Temple is the temple where Inami carving originated. The spacious temple grounds are home to beautiful cherry blossoms and wisteria, as well as intricate yet lavish and impressive carvings that draw many visitors from across Japan. The carvings on the beautiful Zuisenji temple buildings are handcrafted by Inami carving artisans. Inami carving, said to boast the best carving techniques in Japan, is said to have originated when a Kyoto carver was sent to rebuild Zuisenji temple after it was destroyed by fire, and passed on his techniques to Inami carpenters. Among the magnificent carvings found throughout Zuisenji temple, the carvings in the Taishido Hall are particularly eye-catching. The Taishido Hall is famous as a building that embodies the finest Inami carving techniques. Crafted using 200 chisels and the traditional Inami carving technique, each piece is carved from a single piece of wood. The intricate and beautiful carvings are a sight to behold, and you will be amazed at the achievements of our ancestors.
Inami, a town of woodcarving, has been designated a Japan Heritage Site. The approach to Zuisenji Temple is lined with many workshops filled with the scent of wood, and the sounds of carvers' mallets and chisels reverberate. The beautiful sounds of chisels echoing through the streets have been designated one of the "Top 100 Soundscapes of Japan." Enjoy the delicate yet powerful traditional techniques of Inami's carvers and the largest historic temple in the Hokuriku region to your heart's content. }" show_photos embed id="DZuNK4lN59"]
15:22 Depart from Zuisenjiguchi Kotsu Hiroba bus stop towards Kanazawa
directions_bus_filled
Return to Kanazawa by bus on the Nanto-Kanazawa Line. [Zuisenji Exit Transportation Plaza → Kanazawa Station West Exit] Fare: 870 yen
16:45 Arrive at Kanazawa Station West Exit
The simple, unspoiled scenery of Gokayama and the beautiful townscape of Inami, where craftsmanship is alive and well. Why not take a bus ride on your next day off and spend some time experiencing the "real Japanese atmosphere"?
Use the Nanto Kanazawa Free Pass to enjoy great deals on sightseeing!
If you're planning on sightseeing using the Nanto-Kanazawa Line bus, we recommend the convenient and economical "Nanto-Kanazawa Free Pass." The "Nanto-Kanazawa World Heritage Bus Free Pass" also allows unlimited rides on the World Heritage Bus, making it even more economical!
Can be used on all sections of the Nanto-Kanazawa Line bus
●Valid for 2 days from the date of issue
Adults: 1,600 yen (tax included) [Children: half price]
Can be used on all sections of the Nanto-Kanazawa Line bus and World Heritage Bus
●Valid for 3 days from the date of issue
Adults: 3,800 yen (tax included) [Children: half price]
Building truly impactful artificial intelligence systems extends far beyond merely choosing a large language model. It demands a sophisticated understanding and deliberate construction of a multi-layered technology stack, as illuminated by Lauren McHugh Olende, Program Director at IBM, in her recent presentation on “What Is an AI Stack?” Her insights reveal that the efficacy, cost, […]
Japan's cityscapes offer a remarkable blend of traditional and modern architecture, where Japanese aesthetics meet Westernized design in unforgettable ways.
An architecture tour is the perfect opportunity to see Japan's urban landscapes up close and observe the layers of history revealed through its buildings.
These expert-led tours in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto focus on landmark buildings, providing unique insights into the dramatic changes Japan has undergone since its modernization began in 1868.
Can you imagine that the bustling area comprising Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Harajuku in Tokyo was once a landscape of small villages, forests, and rice paddies?
Starting from the upscale Omotesando district, this exclusive Wabunka walking tour with architecture expert Shuko Koike offers a private, deeply informed exploration of this area's dramatic two-century transformation.
She uses rare historical photographs and close observation of the buildings themselves to illuminate how rural fields evolved into elegant residential streets, then commercial avenues and striking contemporary architecture.
As your personal guide, Koike provides expert commentary on design and construction details, highlighting structures from successive eras and explaining the cultural forces that shaped them.
The tour is a pleasant, leisurely walk along the stylish, tree-lined avenues of Omotesando and Harajuku, designed to make Tokyo’s changing cityscape tangible and memorable. After the tour, you’ll view Meiji Jingu Shrine, Omotesando Hills, Miyashita Park, and the buildings along Cat Street with fresh insight.
This private tour blends visual history, technical insight, and on‑the‑ground observation to bring Tokyo’s remarkable architectural journey vividly to life.
Centered between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace, Marunouchi can be seen as the heart of modern Japan, where gleaming skyscrapers sit alongside historic modern architecture.
This guided walking tour with architectural culture curator Shuko Koike offers a street-level exploration of Marunouchi’s dramatic transformation since Japan reopened to the world in 1854 and embarked on rapid modernization.
Through expert commentary, you’ll learn how westernization and industrialization reshaped urban form, design, and construction, tracing the interplay of old and new across plazas, avenues, and landmark buildings.
The tour emphasizes close observation of architectural details and urban landscapes—materials, facades, spatial relationships, and engineering innovations—that reveal the forces behind Tokyo’s evolution.
Ideal for history buffs, design enthusiasts, and curious visitors, the walk enriches an already beautiful urban stroll with informed perspectives that make familiar sights feel newly intriguing.
Exact route and sequence of stops may vary to suit conditions and interests.
Visit Osaka’s iconic Umeda Sky Building for an exclusive guided experience that opens normally off-limits areas: the in-house art gallery and the dramatic central “floating” bridge.
With expert commentary on Hiroshi Hara’s design and the building’s architectural secrets, you’ll gain close-up insight into the structure’s engineering, materials, and spatial concept while walking the bridge and exploring interior details typically reserved for tenants and staff.
The tour includes access to the gallery—with a complimentary original art book (artist names in English; explanatory text in Japanese)—and a relaxed ascent to the Kuchu Teien Observatory, where you can enjoy a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage alongside sweeping city views.
An essential tour for architecture and art lovers visiting Osaka, this small-group or private experience combines scholarly insight with hands-on exploration.
You'll be able to take your time absorbing exhibits and structural features before concluding the visit with a memorable panorama from the observatory.
The Marufukuro Hotel in Kyoto’s Kagiyamachi neighborhood occupies Nintendo’s former headquarters and now pairs historic Art Deco buildings with a striking new wing by Tadao Ando.
This special Wabunka plan includes a guided tour of the property, highlighting the elegant older structures that once housed Nintendo alongside Ando’s minimalist contemporary addition, with commentary on architectural details, materials, and design intent.
You’ll also view surviving collections from Nintendo’s founding—objects that reveal the company’s early dreams and creative inspirations.
After the tour, relax in the hotel library—normally closed to regular restaurant guests—for an exclusive Wabunka dessert plate and bottomless drinks, enjoying this intimate space in a way few visitors can.
This experience blends historical depth, architectural contrast, and curated memorabilia with a quiet, indulgent finale that brings Kyoto’s layered cultural narratives into focus.
Opened in 1966 as Japan’s first international conference center, the Kyoto International Conference Center (ICC Kyoto) is a landmark of modern architecture designed by Sachio Otani, a protégé of Kenzo Tange.
This private Wabunka tour offers an intimate, expert-led exploration of the facility, including exclusive access to spaces normally closed to the public: the main hall and a VIP room used for Imperial Family visits.
Your dedicated guide will illuminate the building’s structural innovations, materials, and design influences, and you’ll examine original blueprints from the design competition that birthed the project.
The experience also includes a leisurely guided stroll through the center’s serene Japanese garden, allowing you to appreciate seasonal plantings and how landscape and architecture interact on site.
Blending close-up technical insight, archival context, and tranquil outdoor reflection, this tour reveals why ICC Kyoto remains a modernist masterpiece.
Any of these tours will provide invaluable insights into the Japanese concepts of space and design, rooted in millennia of tradition and further refined by encounters with Western architecture.
For a truly unique experience of the city you are visiting, we invite you to join one of these specialized tours.
Wabunka offers many other inspiring tours and cultural experiences. Check their website to discover more.
Login
