Bay Arce: A Seafood Restaurant with a Breathtaking View

An Exquisite Dining Experience by Mayumi Ehara

Bay Arce is a seafood restaurant located in the Kanazawa Port Cruise Terminal Building, offering a unique dining experience for both locals and tourists. With its stunning glass structure overlooking the sea, this restaurant provides a picturesque setting for enjoying delicious seafood dishes.

Designed by the talented Mayumi Ehara, Bay Arce stands out with its innovative and captivating design. The seating area, cleverly hidden from the entrance, gradually reveals itself as guests enter the restaurant, building anticipation for the breathtaking view that awaits them. The entire seating area is shaped like a large ship, creating a sense of being on a culinary voyage.

One of the standout features of Bay Arce is the meticulously crafted wooden ceiling, which resembles the gentle waves of the sea. This wave-shaped design showcases the exceptional woodworking skills employed in its creation. The combination of natural wood colors and the illuminated wooden panel representing the waves adds a touch of elegance and serenity to the dining experience.

The choice of materials for Bay Arce is equally impressive. The foundation of the restaurant utilizes Noto Hiba, a type of wood known for its deodorizing and insect-repellent properties, sourced from Ishikawa Prefecture. The delicate technique used to shape the wave-like ceiling further showcases the craftsmanship involved in this project. The result is a harmonious blend of functionality and aesthetics.

Spanning approximately 230 square meters, Bay Arce offers various seating options to cater to different occasions and group sizes. From cozy sofa seats overlooking the sea to round table seats and step floor seats, the restaurant ensures that every guest can enjoy their meal in a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.

The design process for Bay Arce was not without its challenges. Mayumi Ehara faced the task of bending wood to create the wave-like ceiling, a technique typically used with metals like steel. Overcoming this obstacle, the designer meticulously drew wave patterns on each wooden sheet and bent them by hand, resulting in a visually stunning and structurally sound ceiling.

Bay Arce opened its doors in April 2020, following a year-long design and construction process that began in February 2019. The restaurant has quickly gained recognition for its exceptional design, winning the prestigious Iron A' Design Award in 2021 in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category. This award recognizes Bay Arce as a well-designed, practical, and innovative creation that meets professional and industrial standards.

Bay Arce, with its captivating design and breathtaking view, offers a truly unforgettable dining experience. Whether it's a casual meal with friends, a romantic dinner with a loved one, or a special celebration, this seafood restaurant provides the perfect setting to create lasting memories.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: MAYUMI EHARA
Image Credits: Photographer Kozo Takayama
Project Team Members: MAYUMI EHARA
Project Name: Bay Arce
Project Client: MAYUMI EHARA


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