Sapporo Noah’s Ark in Sapporo, Japan

Sapporo Noah’s Ark in Sapporo, Japan

Designed by British artist Nigel Coates, this restaurant along the Sōsei river in Sapporo appears from certain angles as a hulking mass of concrete. On closer inspection, it turns out to be a model of Noah’s ark. The Biblical narrative of the Flood is related on the facade in English, Latin, Chinese, and Hebrew. Inside are whimsical murals of animals that might have found shelter inside the boat. As for food, items are brought out in steaming ba…