Funamachi Base Store: Reviving Traditional Confectionery Culture Through Immersive Architecture

Located in the heart of Ogaki, Japan, the Funamachi Base Store, designed by renowned architects Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architects, is a contemporary reinterpretation of a Japanese confectionery shop, seamlessly integrating a café, restaurant, and public space. Completed in 2024, the project spans 326 m² and serves as a cultural hub that reconnects the city’s rich Edo-period history with modern urban life.

Integrating History and Place

Funamachi has historically thrived as a vibrant river port, a crossroads of people, goods, and cultural exchange. It is also famously known as the terminus of Matsuo Basho’s classic literary journey, Oku no Hosomichi (“The Narrow Road to the Deep North”). The Funamachi Base Store draws inspiration from this history, aiming to create a lively, inviting space reminiscent of the past while addressing contemporary urban needs.

By situating the store adjacent to the park, the architects designed a spatial continuity that blurs the boundaries between the outdoor public realm and the interior. Trees planted in the same species as those lining the park extend the green experience, allowing visitors to enjoy a seamless transition from park strolls to the sensory delights of a Japanese confectionery.

Architecture and Spatial Design

The building’s layout is composed of three wings under a single, expansive roof. This division balances the scale of the café, restaurant, and confectionery areas, preventing the restaurant wing from dominating the site. Materials were carefully selected for both interior and exterior consistency. Calcium silicate boards, putty coatings, and sandblasted PVC pipes, commonly used in outdoor gutters, create a tactile, industrial-meets-traditional aesthetic. Extended eaves further enhance the indoor-outdoor continuity, offering sheltered spaces that feel equally comfortable whether inside or outside.

The foundation of the Funamachi Base Store is more than structural: it is a multifunctional element that serves as a counter for confectionery service, a resting bench for visitors, and a water source for Japanese sweets preparation. This thoughtful design encourages social interaction, drawing people together in both casual and culinary experiences.

Reviving Traditional Craftsmanship

Central to the project is the revival of Kincho-do, the main confectionery shop. Visitors can observe staff kneading sweet bean paste, smell the aroma of steamed buns, and engage with a traditional culinary process, blending cultural heritage with modern architectural intervention. By creating a layered experience, the Funamachi Base Store invites visitors to slow down and engage with both craft and context.

Community Impact and Urban Renewal

Beyond its architectural and cultural value, the Funamachi Base Store plays a strategic role in urban revitalization. By offering a space that celebrates heritage while encouraging social engagement, the project aims to attract young residents back to Ogaki, support local businesses, and foster a sustainable future for the city’s urban core. The combination of café, restaurant, and confectionery creates a mixed-use destination that integrates seamlessly into its historic and natural surroundings.

The Funamachi Base Store exemplifies how contemporary architecture can honor tradition while activating public spaces. Through its innovative design, sensory experiences, and thoughtful materiality, the project revitalizes a historic neighborhood, reconnects people with Japanese confectionery culture, and fosters social interaction, all while maintaining harmony with the surrounding park.

All photographs are works of  Yurika Kono