Kori to Kani

Kori to Kani stands out as a distinctive presence within the 1,300-year-old streetscape of Kinosaki Onsen in Hyogo Prefecture, blending seamlessly with the historic townscape. Facing the street bustling with tourists enjoying hot spring hopping and locals, the shop presents a new yet somehow nostalgic appearance amidst the steam-filled hot spring town scenery. Inspired by the steam, the façade incorporates the aesthetic of rising steam.
This shop specializes in crab and shaved ice. By emphasizing the inherent power of the ingredients and the immediacy of the cooking process, the shop creates an integrated experience of “seeing, smelling, and tasting.”
The spatial concept is ‘Modern Japanese Primordial Landscape’. It was born by layering contemporary sensibilities onto the nostalgic Japanese scenery of time-honored hot spring towns, wooden architecture, and hot spring therapy culture. It deliberately coexists with seemingly contradictory scenes—somehow nostalgic yet new, refined yet slightly rustic—aiming to create a space that draws the memories of Kinosaki into the present.
Upon entering the store, a 3-meter square graphic art piece spanning the entire ceiling immediately catches the eye. Tables also feature sunken hearths, quietly placing scenes of traditional Japanese living within a modern space to evoke a sense of both novelty and nostalgia.
The ceiling and table designs draw inspiration from bentwood lunchboxes, combining Japanese sculptural beauty with a powerful visual impact. The façade incorporates the rising steam itself as a design element. This was deliberately designed so passersby could see the steam rising from their products. The sight and scent of this steam stimulate people's senses, make them stop in their tracks. These designs were conceived to harmonize with the charming streetscape of Kinosaki Onsen while also striving to be commercially viable.