Tokugawa is a well known chain of Japanese restaurants in Beijing. With over 30 years of history they are present in almost every luxury shopping mall in the capital. With a large format of around 500 sqm each restaurant they are focus on sushi and sashimi while offering a variety of dishes and Japanese sake drinks.

AE Architects was selected among several companies to create the new image of Tokugawa inc. The new concept should keep the values of the brand such us private rooms, semi-private tatami rooms, sushi and water bar, large shopfront and traditional Japanese elements. At the same time should completely refresh and modernize the stores bringing a new and comfortable environment.

Following the background in Waseda University, Tokyo Japan of Abel Erazo we use our expertise to carefully combine traditional Japanese patterns and elements with a minimal and modern style.

Our philosophy combines western modern with oriental minimalism and zen. From the entrance the logo wall appears like a massive stone in the middle of the shopfront, dividing the flow in two corridors. A delicate garden on both sides and natural plaster walls complete the composition.

Once inside the sushi bar welcome the guests with a 6 meters long impressive counter.

The open ceiling painted black create the feeling of a stage or a night outdoor space where outstanding wood boxes like enlarged Japanese lamps illuminated all around with warm LED lights appears. This half open tatami seatings gives privacy to customers while integrate them in the space. They can enjoy views of the sushi bar, pattern and stone textures feeling like in the middle of a night Japanese scenery. Each box has small rotation in order to don’t let guests face each other. 

At the same time the wooden pattern of the walls acts as background for the sofa and booths seating areas. Wooden ceiling over the counter and booths emphasis the dinning areas and support the pending concrete lights over the tables. A dark brown louvers wall disappear the service area such as kitchen and cold dishes preparation rooms. Delicates lamps on the floor create the Japanese garden atmosphere and an elegant full height sake cabinet is set behind the monumental stone logo wall.

No lights on corridors or public areas are needed. The tatami wooden boxes also acts as lamps and led lights on walls guide us through the space. Several vip rooms are included in the layout plan. 4 tatami style and one table and chairs Chinese style. For the tatami seatings a recess space can set the shoes and sandals. The floor is made by dark gray stone tiles like a reflection of the night ceiling. Stone textures on the tatami areas combined with LED lights feels like floating volumes not touching the floor.

For the vip walls we choose warm beige fabric supported with thin wood sticks following the traditional Japanese way but also with a modern approach. Wooden cabinets and gardens are included in the vip areas. The double tatami vip room can be divided in two or become a large space for big groups of 16 people.

The wooden patterns on the semi-private tatami boxes are made by laser cuts which gives a precise variety with harmony and dynamism. Stone and concrete textures with marble tiles patterns bring natural feelings. A touch of beige, purple and green fabrics are used on chairs for different areas.

The Taiyanggong store is one of a serie of new Tokugawa restaurants by AE Architects which will spread along the city offering a refreshing new environment with the best Japanese sushi cuisine quality.