Days In Living

Taoyuan

Days In Living Taoyuan

Taipei Restaurant Design｜Akatora Yakiniku

Japanese Yakiniku Restaurant × Commercial Interior Design

In Taipei’s highly competitive dining scene, whether a yakiniku restaurant can draw guests inside often comes down to its very first impression—the atmosphere at the door. Woosha Design was entrusted with the full scope of this project, including Taipei restaurant design, commercial interior design, and Japanese yakiniku restaurant design.

Notably, this collaboration was conducted entirely in Japanese with the client’s team. With Japanese designers on staff, Woosha Design ensured smooth cross-border communication and precise coordination at every stage, allowing the spirit of the Japanese brand to be faithfully realized overseas.

Façade Design｜A “Wafū” Entrance Framed Like a Living Picture

Akatora Yakiniku Xinzhung is located on the ground floor of the i-Tower at Honhui Siyuan Plaza. In commercial design, the entrance serves as a brand’s calling card. Within this contemporary shopping complex, we introduced a traditional Japanese tiled eave to establish a strong and recognizable identity.

The tiled roof, paired with a karesansui (dry landscape) arrangement, creates a ceremonial sense of arrival unique to the brand. A circular perforated window becomes the soul of the façade—functioning like a living frame that gently draws the outside gaze inward, while offering diners a sense of privacy. This delicate balance between openness and enclosure is a critical element in Taipei restaurant design.

Spatial Layout｜A Dual Composition of Heat and Tranquility

Stepping inside, one immediately senses a subtle yet deliberate balance. Yakiniku is inherently energetic and lively, yet the space itself is designed to feel calm and composed.

To achieve this contrast, we incorporated traditional Japanese elements such as kōshi lattice screens and round windows (yoshimado). These features not only define seating privacy and resolve circulation challenges common in commercial spaces, but also create layered light and shadow throughout the interior. As light washes over the warm wood finishes, the lively energy of dining gently settles into a more relaxed and grounded atmosphere.

Color and Brand Identity｜The Poise and Power of Akatora Red

Red, Akatora’s signature brand color, is both a symbol and a design challenge. When overused, red can easily overwhelm a space. For this reason, we adopted a more restrained and controlled approach.

Textured red seating was selected and set against warm wood tones, allowing the red to stand out with intention rather than dominance. It evokes the heat of charcoal embers and the strength of the tiger—expressing the brand’s distinctive vitality.

The visual centerpiece of the interior is the dynamic tiger mural. More than decoration, it acts as a symbolic guardian of the space, infusing the restaurant with character and soul.

Conclusion｜Spatial Expression of a Mature Brand

The opening of Akatora Yakiniku’s third location marks an important milestone in the brand’s growth within the Taiwanese market. Through interior design, we translated the brand’s values into a tangible spatial experience—creating a Japanese yakiniku setting that leaves a lasting impression.

For international brands, seamless communication and attention to detail are essential. At Woosha Design, this process is fully integrated. With Japanese designers and complete Japanese-language communication capabilities, we ensure smooth collaboration from design discussions and construction drawings to material selection and on-site supervision—allowing brand intent to be executed with precision.

If you are planning a restaurant brand or seeking an interior design team that can accurately convey your brand’s identity through space, we would be delighted to connect and explore how design can tell your story.

Photography / Positive Photography