(けいかん)

けいかん
noun
landscape, scenery, visual environment
1. landscape, scenery, visual environment
The overall visual appearance of an area, especially as shaped by natural features, architecture, and urban planning. Often used in contexts involving preservation and regulation of the visual environment.
この(まち)景観(けいかん)(うつく)しい。
This town has beautiful scenery.
景観(けいかん)(まも)るために建物(たてもの)(たか)さが制限(せいげん)されている。
Building height is restricted to preserve the landscape.
歴史的(れきしてき)景観(けいかん)(そこ)なわないよう、(あたら)しい建築(けんちく)には(きび)しい基準(きじゅん)(もう)けられている。
Strict standards have been established for new construction so as not to spoil the historical landscape.

USAGE:
More formal and specific than 景色(けしき) (scenery). 景観(けいかん) emphasizes the overall visual character of an area, especially in the context of urban planning, architecture, and environmental protection. Japan has a 景観法(けいかんほう) (Landscape Act) that regulates development to preserve scenic areas.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 景観(けいかん)(まも)る: to protect the landscape
  • 景観(けいかん)(そこ)なう: to spoil the landscape
  • 景観(けいかん)条例(じょうれい): landscape ordinance
  • 自然(しぜん)景観(けいかん): natural landscape
  • 都市(とし)景観(けいかん): urban landscape

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 景色(けしき): scenery, view (everyday, general)
  • 風景(ふうけい): scenery, landscape (literary, often visual art)
  • (なが)め: view (from a specific vantage point)