Takaoka cafe showcases 400 years of metalwork with circularity and local pride

A Tully’s Coffee shop in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture has transformed industrial metal waste into art using traditional local craftsmanship. The design directed by design studio ROLE in collaboration with a team of local artisans.

Tully’s Coffee Otogi no Mori Park store opened in April 2025, and is a showcase for circular design and regional heritage. A central feature is an art wall constructed from metal offcuts. Scraps of aluminium, brass and copper from local laser-processing company Shonan Sangyo were repurposed by artisans from Momentum Factory Orii, a collective known for applying traditional metal-colouring techniques to modern architecture and fashion.

Pendant lights shaped like Tully’s coffee mugs were created using a technique called “fukiwake” casting, where two different molten metals are poured into a mould simultaneously. This process, performed by the Hannya Chuzosho foundry, creates unique, uncontrolled patterns as the metals mix. Other features include wall lights decorated with gold leaf and lacquer work by Shitsugei Yoshikawa, and cast metal door handles by FUTAGAMI that retain the raw texture of the casting process.

The project’s designers stated their goal was to create an opportunity for visitors to experience the region’s 400-year history of craft. They hope the design will convey “the depth and breadth” of 400 years of technique to both local customers and visitors from outside the prefecture.

The initiative has been well-received by staff and customers. Kozue Sakashita, the store’s supervising manager, expressed her gratitude for the design. “Since opening, many customers have come to see the works, and it has become a conversation starter for us”, she said. “We are grateful to work in an environment surrounded by the artisans’ wonderful works.”

The store is the first Tully’s in the Hokuriku region to be located within a park and is also involved in local child-rearing support initiatives. The award-winning design stands as a tangible example of how circular economy principles can merge with cultural preservation to revitalise local industry. The design was awarded the semi-grand prize at the Toyama Art Directors Club 2025 design competition in June.