1. 和國商店
    画像提供:株式会社ウチノ板金Wakuni Shoten
  2. 和國商店
    画像提供:株式会社ウチノ板金
  3. 和國商店
    Photo: Kisa Toyoshima
  4. 和國商店
    Photo: Kisa Toyoshima西日が作るコントラストが美しい
  5. 和國商店
    Photo: Kisa Toyoshimaオリジナルのクッキーが可愛い
  6. 和國商店
    Photo: Kisa Toyoshima手作業の板金技術で作られた折鶴
  7. 和國商店
    画像提供:株式会社ウチノ板金

Wakuni Shoten

  • Restaurants | Cafés
  • Tama area
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Time Out says

World-renowned architect Kengo Kuma does not limit himself to headline-grabbing, mega-scale projects such as his Japan National Stadium or Shibuya Scramble Square. Wakuni Shoten, a new cafe showcasing the work of sheet metal artisans, illustrates his vision for more modestly sized projects.

Around 700 bronze plates – ‘upcycled’ from the former roof of a Shinto shrine in Hiroshima prefecture – cover the striking facade of this premises in west Tokyo’s Higashi-Murayama neighbourhood. Inside, you can check out origami-inspired sheet metal cranes and other objects crafted by local firm Uchino, which tapped Kuma to work on this project. A selection of products is available to purchase.

The interior is also imbued with the touch of fellow artisans including furniture maker Kitaworks and ceramicist Kan Ito, making this a refined yet cosy spot to enjoy coffee specially roasted for the cafe by Okayama-based Kinoshita Shouten. Also on the menu of light bites are cute cookies in the shape of cranes and shiba inu dogs.

Wakuni Shoten may well make this suburb a destination on the global design map: it’s certainly worth the journey off the beaten track.

Text by Darren Gore

Details

Address
2-5-6 Aobacho, Higashimurayama
Tokyo
Transport:
Higashimurayama, Kumegawa stations
Opening hours:
9am-5pm (last orders 4.30pm), closed on Mon & Tue in Jan & Feb (closed Tue & Wed if Mon is hols)
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