Underwater Luxury: The Grand Blue Express

Immersive Aquarium Dining Experience in Tokyo's Urban Jungle

The Grand Blue Express is a testament to the power of innovative design. The restaurant is located on the fifth floor of a mixed-use building in Ueno, Tokyo. Despite the space's narrow dimensions, Matsumoto has managed to create a luxurious and immersive dining environment. The design is inspired by luxury cruise trains, with each dining booth resembling a train cabin. The windows of these cabins are replaced by aquariums, creating the illusion of a train journey underwater.

Matsumoto and his team faced the challenge of creating a luxury dining experience in a space no larger than 95 square meters, with a height limitation of 2.3 meters. The solution was to draw inspiration from luxury cruise trains, which offer a variety of services in a compact space. The team also had to integrate the aquariums into the design without compromising the concept. The result is a dining room that takes the form of a corridor coach serving individual cabins on both sides. Each cabin is equipped with an aquarium, creating an immersive underwater experience.

The Grand Blue Express is more than just a restaurant; it is a testament to the power of design and innovation. The walls are made using dry wall techniques, and the floor is covered in ceramic tiles. The ceiling is finished mainly in vinyl cloth, except for the central corridor ceiling, which is covered in special stainless panels that imitate water waves. The aquariums are surrounded by steel frames with a golden baked painting finish, adding to the luxurious atmosphere.

The restaurant has been recognized for its innovative design, winning the Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2022. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, and The Grand Blue Express certainly fits the bill. With its unique concept and stunning execution, the restaurant offers a dining experience like no other.

In conclusion, The Grand Blue Express is a shining example of how design and innovation can transform a space. Despite the challenges posed by the space's dimensions, Matsumoto and his team have created a luxurious and immersive dining experience that transports guests to an underwater world. It is a testament to the power of design and the endless possibilities it offers.