IT IS THE NOZOMI SUSHI BAR THAT IS BRINGING JAPAN TO SPAIN.

Written by Beverly Pereira Photography by David Rodríguez and Carlos Huecas, with the kind permission of Masquespacio, a Spanish creative consultancy: A modern sushi bar in Valencia, Spain, is the setting for the recreation of a traditional Japanese village street by the company masquespacio. An experiment in duality, the nozomi sushi bar was created to suggest a traditional but modern Japanese atmosphere. The word “enter” itself is an exercise in duality. “high-speed Japanese bullet train” and “fulfilled dream” are the literal translations of the restaurant’s name. This dualistic portrayal, which can be seen throughout the restaurant’s decor and branding, may be described as a restaurant that can be characterized as an emotive classic with a rational modern vibe. josé miguel herrera and nuria morell, an enthusiast of Japanese culture, a specialist in traditional sushi, and an entrepreneur, came up with the idea for nozomi. The brand adheres to a thematic representation that references traditional representations, and it begins with the nozomi logo, which uses both western typography and hiragana (a japanese script). Following this, the duality is carried over into the interior design, where the 233 square meter space is brought to life by a gray envelope consisting of walls, ceiling, and floors, which contrasts with the delicate Japanese woodwork. A central cube that recreates Japanese carpentry produces two hallways and approaches a major dining area. Within this lounge, ornamental features, bathrooms, and a warehouse form an atmosphere that is open-flowing, which is characteristic of eastern architecture. The aesthetics of nozomi convey symbolic interpretations of a market, a pharmacy, and detailed wooden village cottages, which are similar to the feeling of strolling along a street in Kyoto. The roofs, on the other hand, have been reworked to represent contemporary Japanese aesthetics. The team’s photographic study of streets in Japan, where some of the most traditional residences are beautifully maintained to this day, was the source of both of these components, as stated by Ana Milena Hernández Palacios, who serves as the creative director of the project. Within the center room, which is evocative of a Japanese courtyard, visitors may enjoy sushi while sitting under a cherry tree that is adorned with origami-inspired blossoms that grow spontaneously. On the other hand, the sushi bar that is next to and has wooden details is a modern spin on the classic sushi vendor. By the same token, one is greeted by an additional distinctive atmosphere when they enter a private dining area. In this setting, the minimalist sensibility of Japan is brought to life through shadows that are produced by strategically placed lighting, which in turn highlights the irregular and distinctive carpentry. For a long time, Japanese food has been able to titillate the palates of people all over the world. However, in recent years, the sushi-sashimi experience, whether it be at a fine-dining restaurant in India or a qsr chain in Italy, has often been accompanied with furnishings that are matching. When it comes to this particular instance as well, masquespacio has successfully shown its adaptability by constructing from the ground up a cultural experience in a foreign country. To see photographs of the Japanese restaurant that can be found on indiaartndesign.com, please click here.