kengo kuma sites 'mikuni izukogen' restaurant on a complex plot facing japan's sagami bay

this timber restaurant designed by kengo kuma and associates (KKAA) is situated on a clifftop plot overlooking japan’s sagami bay. ‘various methods of construction have been developed to mediate between architecture and the extremely complex topography of japan,’ explains the design team. ‘one of these methods, kakezukuri, uses supports to float the building out over a steep slope, as famously represented in the kiyomizu temple in kyoto.’

all images © kawasumi — kobayashi kenji photograph office

‘for this project, we produced a transparent kakezukuri using a hybrid wood-steel frame; supporting the roof with cypress planks spanning up to 11.4 meters,’ continues KKAA. ‘as a result, we were able to realize a cypress cloud materializing from the densely vegetated cliff.’ internally, the restaurant is naturally illuminated thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows that also offer sweeping panoramic views.

meanwhile, an external terrace — pierced by a tree that continues through the roof canopy — allows for outdoor dining. ‘mikuni izukogen’ was designed for the restaurant’s renowned chef kiyomi mikuni, who is known for taking influence from mediterranean cuisine. other projects by kengo kuma recently featured on designboom include japan’s new national stadium in tokyo and his firm’s first project in australia.

project info:

name: mikuni izukogen
location: izu kogen shizuoka, japan
design period: 2016.6 – 2018.9
completion date: 2019.8.26
type: restaurant
size: 200 sqm / 2,153 sqf
KKAA project team: minoru yokoo, akio saruta, jenny kwok, ryuta nomura, kimio suzuki
structure engineer: takayasu konishi structural engineers
MEP engineer: P.T. morimura & associates, ltd.
photography: kawasumi — kobayashi kenji photograph office