Nacrée — Sendai, Japan
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

In any other pair of hands, the execution of a ‘light and flower’ themed French restaurant would verge on gimmicky. Under the guidance of Kengo Kuma and Associates, however, it’s handled with creativity and a light touch. Located in the Japanese prefecture of Miyagi, Nacrée takes diners on an idyllic journey, where a wave of vertical clear acrylic tubes snake around a dining room, sporadically filled with floral arrangements and mirrored by a series of cylindrical vessels that contain subtle lighting. The effect is fresh, organic and bright, with the transparency of the curtain wall bathing the entire space in a natural light that fluctuates in intensity as the day goes on.
The floral theme continues throughout, winding all the way through to the restaurant’s dark wood bar area, which sits in stark contrast to the main dining room. Here, Kuma has positioned uniform sticks of bamboo to dangle at various lengths from the ceiling, each one wrapped in artificial vines. Exposed industrial pipes running along the ceiling offer a stark contrast to the botanical motif, cutting through its sweetness and providing a sense of equilibrium to the space. Chef Minoru Ogata’s menu, on the other hand, is an apt reflection of the flowery décor, with a series of colourful and dainty modern French dishes, leaning heavily on fish and seafood.
ADDRESS
2 Chome-2-38 Chūō
Aoba-ku
Sendai-shi
-
Japanese hair artist Tomihiro Kono debuts new book of fanciful wigs
The hair artist debuts his most surreal wigs yet in the new book, ‘Fancy Creatures’
By Mary Cleary • Published
-
This compact brutalist treasure is a south London house by Whittaker Parsons
This addition to a south London terrace is a brutalist treasure, a meticulously detailed urban infill in concrete and brick that makes the most of its site
By Jonathan Bell • Published
-
Architecture Drawing Prize 2022 awarded to rich visualisation that challenges stereotypes
The Architecture Drawing Prize 2022 has been awarded to Samuel Wen and Michael Ren for their hybrid artwork, 'Fitzroy Food Institute'
By Martha Elliott • Published
-
Kyoto's Maana Kiyomizu boutique hotel is the epitome of modern craftsmanship
Maana Homes’ latest boutique hotel with a twist opens in Kyoto, including suites, a café, and a shop specialising in modern Japanese craftsmanship
By Danielle Demetriou • Last updated
-
Kai Yufuin by Kengo Kuma revisits Japanese farmhouse architecture
Hoshino Resorts has launched Kai Yufuin, a hot spring ryokan hotel by Kengo Kuma on the island of Kyushu in the Ōita Prefecture
By Feride Yalav-Heckeroth • Last updated
-
Villa One at the One & Only Palmilla — Los Cabos, Mexico
By Chadner Navarro • Published
-
Teruhiro Yanagihara creates terroir-inspired interiors for new restaurant Sower in Japan
Sower, the new Japanese restaurant on Lake Biwa, features a minimalist design and a material palette inspired by its surroundings
By Danielle Demetriou • Last updated
-
Kengo Kuma’s Ace Hotel Kyoto opens in a converted telephone office
Discover the design details of Asia's first Ace Hotel, as realised by architect Kengo Kuma and Commune Design
By Danielle Demetriou • Last updated
-
Martim — Wroclaw, Poland
By Daven Wu • Last updated
-
Tattersalls Hotel — Armidale, Australia
By Dimity Noble • Last updated
-
KLoé Hotel — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
By Jennifer Choo • Last updated