A kitchen and a bar are seen through the open door of a house

This Japanese Sweets Shop Serves Up A Taste Of Tradition

2024 Best of Year Winner for Counter Service

On the way to visit the nearby Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, tourists can stop into Tsuruyachosei Sanneizaka, a sweets shop designed by UNC Studio, for a taste of traditional confectionery in a modern setting. The concept is inspired by the tea ceremony, an integral part of Japanese culture that is generally unfamiliar to foreigners and in danger of being forgotten by a younger generation of locals. The 1,300-square-foot space incorporates shoji sliding doors and Kaishi paper motifs, fostering a serene yet interactive environment, one that’s bathed in a soft blush-pink. Guests can come in for a treat and leave more connected with centuries of heritage, and maybe even their own Kaishi paper crane, folded by following the instructions on the shop card.

A kitchen and a bar are seen through the open door of a house
A kitchen with a counter and a microwave
A room with a white wall
A red line is drawn on a pink wall

PROJECT TEAM: KEIJI KADOTA; YUKARI OSAWA.

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