Land Of Soroku

My hands ache, and my shoulders tremble. I ascend the endless staircase of the towering Shans-Tower in the Shinsedai district. Upon reaching the summit, all I desire is rest, yet instead, I find myself standing there paralyzed by fear. From the tower’s peak, I gaze upon pagodas rising high against the sunset, canyons adorned with elegant wooden homes, and cherry trees swaying in the breeze. It’s a sight for weary eyes.

North Garms, the creator of Minecraft from England and a master architect of this realm, has long dwelled among these clouds. He constructs and refines his map. The Land of Soroku—a city in the sky—has been evolving for five years now.

The Land of Soroku is an ancient yet steampunk-inspired city built atop the surrounding mountains. Its structures form a network of lightweight buildings, walkways, and bridges influenced by feudal Japanese architecture. A maze of wooden constructions and colorful lanterns. While it may lack mandatory battle arenas and arcade halls, Soroku embodies its unique character and appearance within MCPE.

“When I first created the map, I had no idea how to even create landscapes,” says North when I inquire about how his creation came to life.

“To achieve impressive geography, I simply created an expansive world and worked from there,” explains North. “In some role-playing games, I prefer not to destroy or flatten areas to build but rather construct around the landscape as one would in real life. Consequently, I believe that natural terrain is just as significant as artificial.”

His inspiration stemmed from the team at FyreUK and their building land Akane. North was captivated by the scale and detail. He aimed to craft his own map in Minecraft Pocket Edition with a similar theme, intending to make it feel more alive and suitable for hours of exploration.

“I have always been fascinated by Japanese architecture and aesthetics overall. In any case, I don’t consider myself a master builder, but this format particularly resonates with me. I often draw inspiration from Studio Ghibli films or even video games featuring real-world Japanese architecture.”

The project faced challenges. Much like the Great Meireki Fire that consumed much of Japan’s Edo capital in 1657, Soroku experienced its own disaster.

“A fire somehow ignited in a massive tower on the eastern side of the map. Fortunately, I managed to extinguish it in time to save some of the structures, but a significant portion of progress was lost. There are several references to the ‘great fire’ in the construction.”

Perched high above sea level, the origins of the city remain shrouded—even to its creator! Yet while Soroku may lack history, it is rich in local landmarks and Easter eggs. As I explore various districts in Minecraft PE, I realize that the devil is in the details. Every little street or building is meticulously crafted and adorned, from cafes and markets to temples and residences.

“I have always been enchanted by Japanese architecture”

“There are small stories scattered throughout different areas of the town, but the entire village feels somewhat random, in my opinion. To me, it resembles a popular large-scale model of a vibrant, living place,” North proudly states.

Certain monuments stand out more than others, such as the Spirit Tree atop the grand Kyukikami Bridge or the picturesque streets of the Hisekawa district. It almost seems as if each building or landmark possesses its own unique story, rather than the city as a whole.

“I’m confident that every structure features a distinct, decorated interior filled with chests and labels. The ability to explore is my favorite aspect of the build.”