# Naturally Decorated Japanese Restaurants This yakinku Restaurant in Tokyo Has a Cave-Like Interior By Kalin Ned | Published 2018-01-30 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yakiniku-restaurant-in-tokyo References: [fubiz.net](http://www.fubiz.net/en/2018/01/30/japanese-restaurant-inspired-by-natures-elements-2/) & [riao.co.jp](http://riao.co.jp/en/works/no19.html) This premium yakiniku restaurant in Tokyo is located in the Roppongi district and local architect Ryoji Iedokoro has morphed the two-storey space into a mesmerizing landscape, filled with natural elements and distinct subterranean motifs. While the first floor is designed to encapsulate the guests with the uneven structure of erosion-mimicking [cave-like walls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nakano-house), the second floor is a semi-private space with steel pipes that give the visual sense of trees or bamboo and act as unobtrusive partitions for tables. The term "yakiniku" signifies the act of [grilling meat in Japanese culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cote-vegas) and locals prefer it to its Americanized equivalent "barbecue." The design objective for Ryoji Iedokoro was to create an enjoyable dining experience that resembles the peaceful ambiance of the forest, authentic Japanese cuisine, as well as to challenge a biased notion of what a yakiniku restaurant should be like. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.6/10 - Popularity: 97% | Activity: 94% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Natural Interior Design:** There is a growing trend in the restaurant industry for incorporating natural elements into the interior design, creating unique and immersive dining experiences. - **Subterranean Motifs:** Restaurants are exploring the use of subterranean motifs to create visually stunning spaces that transport guests to another world and enhance the dining experience. - **Authentic Dining Experiences:** Customers are seeking out dining experiences that offer authentic cultural immersion, challenging traditional perceptions and expectations of restaurant concepts. ### Who This Affects Most - **Hospitality:** The hospitality industry can explore incorporating natural and subterranean design elements into restaurants to create unique and memorable guest experiences. - **Restaurant Design:** The restaurant design industry can leverage the trend of natural interior design and subterranean motifs to create innovative and visually captivating dining spaces. - **Culinary Tourism:** Culinary tourism companies can promote authentic dining experiences that challenge preconceived notions of restaurant concepts, offering customers a truly immersive cultural adventure. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Regionally Inspired Restaurant Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kioku.md) - [Minimalist Warehouse Dining](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sko-restaurant.md) - [Luscious Dining Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ful-kyoto.md) - [Japanese Farmhouse-Inspired Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uchi.md) - [Japanese Landscape-Donned Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ginza-41.md) - [Design-Forward Omakase Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/omakase-restaurant.md) - [Lantern-Dangling Steakhouse Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aragawa.md) - [Ominous Interior Sushi Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/origami-restaurant.md) - [Japanese Archipelago Resto Interiors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/labysse-monte-carlo.md)