# Tokyo's alleyways inspire Genso restaurant design Joyce Wang Studio designs a Hong Kong restaurant inspired by Tokyo's Golden Gai district. - **Source:** [Interior design | Dezeen](https://brifing.si/source/cb2e5f17-36d4-4880-b1ae-26168d46e00a) - **Published:** 2026-07-21 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d81c15b1-02e3-49b8-ad64-b49c6f2a2481 ## Tokyo's spirit in Hong Kong Joyce Wang Studio drew inspiration from Tokyo's Golden Gai district when designing the Genso restaurant at Hong Kong's Sha Tin Racecourse. The narrow streets and tiny bars of this famous neighborhood were reinterpreted in the restaurant's interior through different levels and layers. ## The atmosphere of Golden Gai At the entrance of the restaurant stands a reception desk clad in ceramic tiles reminiscent of pixel manga styles. Designer Joyce Wang explains that Golden Gai is a city within a city with its own rules and personality, a feeling they wanted to capture. ## Street food and casual ambiance The lower level, Fudo Town Food Hall, offers a more relaxed atmosphere serving Japanese street food. Open booths and long banquettes upholstered in blue leather and patterned orange fabric evoke Tokyo's street food culture. ## Tokyo touches in details Blue ceramic tile inlays throughout the restaurant reference Tokyo's building facades. Specially designed lanterns suspended from the ceiling recall those hanging outside Golden Gai establishments. ## A more intimate experience The upper level Izakaya aims to provide a more refined dining experience. Featuring wave-motif lanterns and upholstered furnishings, this area connects via narrow walkways enclosed by bronze metal balustrades. ## Contributing to Hong Kong's dining scene Genso stands out as one of Hong Kong's striking dining destinations. Its Tokyo-inspired design reflects the city's cosmopolitan nature and cultural diversity through architectural storytelling. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dezeen.com/2026/07/21/joyce-wang-studio-genso-restaurant-hong-kong/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._