Renowned architect Kengo Kuma has put his creative spin on this soy sauce store in Nihonbashi, giving this long-established brand a modern update. Kuma is best known for his stunning wood-clad structures like the Japan National Stadium, and the wood-heavy interior of this shop has Kuma’s name all over it.
An ode to the shoyu brewer, this flagship store is a reproduction of the brand's warehouse in Kyushu with the highlight being the large shoyu barrels hanging from the ceiling. Special wooden trays known as koji buta, which are also used in shoyu production, double as the display shelves around the shop and are all manufactured by local craftsmen for an authentic feel.
The shop can be found inside Nihonbashi’s Coredo Muromachi 3 building, and adds a refreshing traditional touch to the skyscrapers of Tokyo’s financial district.