brazil and japan coexist in masquespacio's kaikaya tropical sushi restaurant in valencia

masquespacio has completed kaikaya, the first tropical sushi restaurant in valencia, fusing japanese elements with brazilian tropicalismo. the brainchild of mireia, a native valencian with brazilian influences and a passion for surf, kaikaya reflects its owner’s lifestyle while representing, both through its kitchen and its design, the time when the first japanese arrived to brazil and invented a new nikkei nipo-brazilian gastronomy that combined their traditions with local ingredients.

all photos by luis beltran

upon entering, visitors are encountered with large raffia circles that reference the japanese hats used during rice collection, merged with a bold splash of color, mosaic tiles and tropical plants from brazil. masquespacio has maintained the space’s existing elements, including the vaults, metallic beams and original bricks, highlighting the textures of their imperfections.

once reaching the bar, visitors encounter once more the mix between japan and brazil through the traditional japanese wooden pattern on the back wall and the colored patterns that reference the seventies in brazil. parrot lamps with a palm leaf emerge from the surface of the back wall, which, as all the other decorative lamps, were specifically designed for the project.

on the upper floor, one encounters another combination of the original heritage from the space, fused with tropical and japanese elements. the main feature of this space are round seating corners, which are half inspired by brazil and half inspired by japan.