CLIENT
Xin Rong Ji
ADDRESS
Tokyo, Minato City, Akasaka, 5 Chome−3−1, Akasaka Biz Tower, 1F
COMPLETION
2023
SITTING NOS
52
AREA
417 m²
PHOTO CREDITS
Courtesy of Xin Ron Ji
The inaugural international outpost of a renowned Chinese fine dining brand.
Located in Tokyo’s Ginza district, Xin Rong Ji marks the brand’s first overseas venture, carefully balancing tradition and refinement across two distinct levels of dining. The design responds to the client’s ambition to reflect Taizhou culinary heritage while creating a setting that resonates with contemporary sensibilities.
The ground floor is anchored by a Western-inspired main dining hall, where natural light passes through sheer white curtains, casting a soft ambience throughout. Pistachio green and deep burgundy upholstery are used strategically across the furniture palette, introducing a quiet play between calm warmth and vibrant contrast. These colour choices act as subtle focal points within the otherwise neutral and material-driven interior, helping articulate zones and rhythm within the open plan.
The chef’s counter—a focal point of the ground floor—blends Chinese and Japanese references, framed by ink-green glazed tiles and an open kitchen. Here, the theatricality of preparation is brought into focus through lighting that emphasizes texture and movement, allowing the culinary process to become a visual extension of the dining experience.
On the second floor, a series of private dining suites and a cigar lounge offer a more secluded experience. The lighting design here shifts tone, adopting a warmer and more subdued approach to create depth and intimacy. Porcelain art pieces are accent-lit to reveal their fine surfaces, while woven silk wall coverings and wood paneling contribute to the quiet elegance of the upper floor.
One of the most striking design elements is a bespoke ceiling detail: a layered timber lattice suspended beneath a warm backlit plane. Referencing both Japanese carpentry and Chinese architectural forms, this ceiling feature not only grounds the space with craftsmanship but integrates the technical needs of lighting and ventilation with sculptural clarity. The interplay of form and function becomes especially apparent in how shadows and diffused light modulate the atmosphere beneath.
Throughout the restaurant, light and shadow delineate spatial intent—supporting a natural progression from the openness of the dining hall to the privacy of the upper-level rooms. The result is an environment where culinary excellence is supported by spatial clarity, material depth, and cultural nuance.
NEXT PROJECT
The Continental
