The space of the BONGEN Kyobashi store is filled with poetic beauty, interwoven with the power of Japanese tradition and materials, just as the silent bonsai trees form a universe. Here, each material marks time and breathes life into the space.
Passing through the entrance, you will see tiles made of Japanese tiles ordered from Awaji. Its quiet shine is the result of craftsmanship passed down through a long history, and its cool texture gives the sole a comfortable tension. The shading engraved on each tile creates a dialogue between light and shadow and gently envelops visitors.
In addition, the floor is made of Tamaishi Azuchi Polished, and the texture polished by the hands of the craftsmen has a soft and deep texture. The numerous cobbles are polished smoothly, but each one has a natural beauty, and each step reveals a different expression. When exposed to light, the subtle color of the stone emerges and gently melts into the space.
The counter uses Kagawa’s yakisugi. While exposed to the flames, the wood has increased its strength and depth by being burned, giving it both serenity and strength. This burnt cedar is not just a material, but an existence that seems to lock in time itself. When you touch it, the warmth that comes through your fingertips tells you that the tree is alive. Their expressions shift with the light and change with time.
The counter uses Kagawa’s yakisugi. While exposed to the flames, the wood has increased its strength and depth by being burned, giving it both serenity and strength. This burnt cedar is not just a material, but an existence that seems to lock in time itself. When you touch it, the warmth that comes through your fingertips tells you that the tree is alive. Their expressions shift with the light and change with time.
The plasterer finish that decorates the walls was created by an original combination. The traces of handwork create fine shadows, which give a completely different look depending on the angle of view. This texture, which seems to breathe through the material itself, naturally brings depth to the space, and is so serene that it makes you forget the hustle and bustle of the inorganic city.
The other main attraction of this space is furniture made of tamo wood from Gifu. The beautiful grain of tamo gives off a balanced tension and warmth at the same time. The grain of the wood reflects the flow of time and changes slowly in response to light. When you touch it, the soft texture becomes familiar to your hand, and when you sit down on the chair, you feel that you are one with the space.
What sets this space apart is the shading created by the lighting. The light is never uniform, but comes in at a calculated angle to highlight the look of the material. Where there is light, there is shadow. And the shadows are not just dark, they breathe as part of space. The fine shade of branches woven by bonsai trees, the soft shadow of plasterer carved on the walls, and the depth created by the unevenness of burnt cedar. Everything resonates with each other, creating a harmony.
The BONGEN Kyobashi store is an attempt to weave a Japanese tradition into the present, and the space is designed even for the time that flows there. We respect the time that the material itself has, and we breathe new life through our efforts. Spending time at this place is more than just a moment at a cafe. By feeling the quiet flowing time and listening to the stories told by the materials, even in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city, you can bring silence to the depths of your heart.
It’s like a bonsai that has been nurtured over many years and still exists with its beauty.
The BONGEN Kyobashi store is a space that changes over time and continues to grow in depth.
With the hope that it will be a place where you can meet “the best coffee.”
