美観(びかん)

びかん
noun
beautiful appearance; fine view; aesthetic appeal
1. beautiful appearance; fine view; scenic beauty; aesthetic appeal
The beautiful visual appearance of a place, building, or area, especially as something to be preserved or maintained.
街(まち)の美観(びかん)を守(まも)る。
To preserve the beauty of the town.
違法(いほう)な看板(かんばん)は美観(びかん)を損(そこ)なう。
Illegal signs damage the aesthetic appearance.
倉敷(くらしき)の美観(びかん)地区(ちく)は白壁(しらかべ)の蔵(くら)が並(なら)ぶ美(うつく)しい場所(ばしょ)だ。
The Kurashiki aesthetic district is a beautiful area lined with white-walled storehouses.

Composed of 美(び) (beauty) + 観(かん) (view, appearance). Often used in the context of urban planning, preservation, and regulations about maintaining the visual quality of an area.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 美観(びかん)を守(まも)る — to protect the beautiful appearance
  • 美観(びかん)を損(そこ)なう — to damage the aesthetic appearance
  • 美観(びかん)地区(ちく) — aesthetic/scenic district (a legally designated area)
  • 都市(とし)美観(びかん) — urban aesthetics
  • 美観(びかん)を保(たも)つ — to maintain the beauty

CULTURAL NOTE:
美観(びかん)地区(ちく) (aesthetic districts) are designated areas in Japanese cities where building appearance and signage are regulated to preserve traditional or scenic beauty. The most famous is the 倉敷(くらしき)美観(びかん)地区(ちく) in Okayama Prefecture.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 景観(けいかん) — landscape, scenery (broader; includes natural and urban views)
  • 外観(がいかん) — outward appearance (of a building or object)
  • 風景(ふうけい) — scenery, landscape (natural or general)
general
Added 2026.4.5 23:18
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