KUSHIYAKI

Izakaya

KUSHIYAKI Izakaya

Tsukiyuu Izakaya – A Passage into Moonlight and Memory

Designing a Japanese Yakitori Experience in Taichung

The character “酉” represents the hour when the sun sets and the moon begins to rise — a symbolic moment of transition.
Named after this twilight hour, Tsukiyuu is a Japanese-style yakitori restaurant that comes to life in the evening.

Inspired by a deeply memorable dining experience the owner once had in Japan, the design aims to capture both the ambiance of traditional Japanese eateries and the poetic presence of the moon.

A Facade of Charred Elegance

To convey the clarity and softness of moonlight, we selected shou sugi ban, a traditional Japanese wood charred to preserve its strength and deepen contrast.
This material creates a bold yet refined façade, defined by a restrained palette and heightened light-dark dynamics, subtly evoking the quiet glow of the moon.

Interiors Rooted in Tradition, Refined for Experience

The interior draws upon Japanese spatial traditions, but reinterprets them to suit modern-day functionality and aesthetic flow.
Elements like built-in shelving and recessed lighting are seamlessly integrated with display features, creating a space that is both evocative and practical.

Slide open the shoji doors and step into a long, narrow corridor flanked by a bar counter made of Japanese cedar.
At the corridor’s end, a lantern and overhanging eave suggest the entrance to another small establishment.

But in truth, this is the hidden entrance to the private dining room — the “Mountain, River, Moon” suite — where layers of architecture and mood combine to offer a “store within a store” experience.

We hope that every guest who walks through these doors feels as though they've passed through a portal — momentarily transported to a quiet street corner in Japan.

Design / Woosha Design
Photography / Yuchen Chao Photography