spicy architects + OFDA reactivate mount fuji city with a new café

the closest city to mount fuji gets revitalized

one of the most popular spots to photograph mount fuji is the location of this café designed by spicy architects in collaboration with OFDA. in the japanese city of fujiyoshida, many tourists flock to a shopping street called honcho-dori avenue where the snow-capped summit can be viewed from a perfect angle.

before it became an instagrammable spot, the city was known for its 1000 year history of producing high quality textiles. the architects say that today, the once-thriving honcho-dori avenue is almost deserted and dotted with closed shops and vacant houses. this project called ‘kissa lemon’ aims to revitalize the local community, stimulate other new activities and bring in additional investments.

images by kusunose tomoyuki

kissa lemon was realized for tokyo-based designers lemon life, who also run the place. their idea was to create a space where local leaders who are committed to the future of fujiyoshida city and tokyo’s creative talent can mingle. in response, spicy architects and OFDA inserted two stage-like structures into the vacant building.

the first structure is a concrete plinth to reinforce the building’s foundations on the street-facing elevation. this façade also features a 7,280mm by 2,400mm timber frame on the elevated floor to make it look like a stage. everyday activities happening inside the café are shown to passersby like a movie. meanwhile, the raised plinth at the front provides a place for locals and tourists alike to take a seat, reactivating the street.

the new café is situated on honcho-dori avenue in fujiyoshida

the second ‘stage’ is the raised counter of the open plan kitchen, which is designed to let guests see what’s happening inside the kitchen from every corner. polycarbonate boards hung from a ceiling function like a reflector, distributing light all around the space and supplying energy to the people in the kitchen. the material and the shape of the counter are left simple to make the interaction between the chef and guests stand out.

‘I hope these structures will bring out energies from the chef, staff and guests and the vibrant teahouse will bring back liveliness on the street and to the area in the future,’  says ryo yamamoto of spicy architects. 

passersby can watch what’s happening inside the teahouse, just like a movie

the kitchen and cafeé spaces are completely open plan

the project also features a mural of mount fuji

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project info:

name: kissa lemon


type: café

location: 2-2-27 shimoyoshida, fujiyoshida-shi, yamanashi
, japan

architect: hirofumi nakagawa (OFDA) + ryo yamamoto (spicy architects)
art direction: tetsuya chihara (lemonlife)
project management: ayako nagaya
structural consulting: takuya tsuji
construction: fuji ecotope millennium (architecture), 
aoi naon (neon sign)
collaborators: morio nakajima (mural of mount fuji), tan (planting)


number of stories: 1 
total floor area: 82.49 sqm

structure: timber


completion: july, 2021


opening: july, 2021


photography: kusunose tomoyuki