The two giants of the Japanese French restaurant scene, EastQuintessence", the westHAJIME" He honed his skills at a renowned French restaurant, and in Nagoya, on his birthday,July 23, 2015Independent "Reminiscence"ofMasaki KuzuharaAs the chef celebrates his 8th anniversary and enters his 9th year, he has relocated to Kurumamichi and reopened with a new look, aiming to become a grand restaurant, in order to take on a new challenge.
The location chosen for this new stage is Kurumamichi in Nagoya. The name of this town originates from the fact that stone materials were transported by cart for the construction of the Owari Domain's secondary residence, Goshimoyashiki. Although some development is underway in this area, it remains a residential area where traditional houses and apartments still remain. The shop, built on a long, winding plot of land, can be accessed from both the main road and the back alleys, and the main entrance to the restaurant was deliberately chosen to be in a narrow back alley. It is as if it were a back alley that one used as a shortcut when going to and from school as a child, and one can picture the scene of laundry hanging under the eaves of old houses and grandmothers warmly watching over children going to and from school.
「Reminiscence" is a way of reminiscing about the pastreminiscenceIt means "own chef"Masaki KuzuharaWe believe that the most important thing for enriching life is "memories," and that this is true richness. With this name in mind, we have repeatedly asked ourselves what kind of unique experience can be had here, not just in terms of food and service, but also in terms of creating a moment that can be remembered as a good memory, rather than just a place to fill your stomach. This new store is truly the ultimate embodiment of the Reminiscence philosophy.
As you wander down the back alleys, lost in those old memories, you'll come across a new door. It's a time gate connecting the present with past memories. Slowly open the door, and a different white world appears, like something out of a dream. Close your eyes in that space, calm your mind, and try to recall your past memories. As you follow your memories, you'll feel light streaming in through a window, and a clear vision unfolding in your mind.
This space, predominantly white, embodies the chef's childhood memories of playing in the snow in the northern regions, his philosophy on cooking, and the laws of nature—intangible "ideas." The space, with its rugged, powerful forms and a kind of contradictory disharmony—combined with irregular curves and flowing lines—expresses the imagery of the mind as it tries to trace hazy, distant memories.
Having been involved in the new store's planning stages, the opening day was something I had been eagerly awaiting. The entrance was filled with congratulations from friends, acquaintances, and colleagues, a testament to Chef Kuzuhara's popularity. We were also able to join the celebration during dinner time. In the waiting area,Louis Poulsen"Welcome with the soft light pouring in from Wohlert's pendant lights."
「Nanna DitzelThe ND-02 and ND-01 sofas from "" were designed in 1952, and in recent years they have been refurbished by the Scandinavian furniture manufacturer " from Hida TakayamaKitaniA model revived by "[company name]". The seat fabric is,KuzuharaThe chef himself carefully selected Kyoto Nishijin textiles.HOSOOThe upholstery was replaced at "". The side table is also from "Kitani," and by combining the organically deformed triangular top and circular top of the IE-06ST and IE-07ST low tables, which have beautiful leg lines designed by Eiri Iwakura, a sense of movement is created.
The high-quality fabric, which reflects light and has a mystical presence reminiscent of a snowy landscape, gently envelops your body with its smooth texture.
The congratulatory gift we gave to the store upon its opening:Eilersen IW2 CHAIR"She was surrounded by beautiful celebratory flowers and looked very proud."
「Eilersen IW2 CHAIR」
IW2 CHEAR / This chair was reissued in 2015 in a limited run of only 100 pieces in Japan to commemorate the 120th anniversary of "eilersen," a luxury sofa brand founded in Denmark in 1895. Designed by Christian Ilm Vickelsø, a leading Danish designer of the mid-century period, it faithfully reproduces the chair released in 1958. The organic lines of the arms extending forward from the seat, where the spokes of the backrest overlap, are beautiful, and the chair is a work of art even when simply placed in a room. This chair was a gift from Takahiro & Ayako / lade to celebrate the relocation and reopening of Reminiscence. The reason this chair was chosen is that it was manufactured in 2015, the same year that Reminiscence opened, and has walked the same path as them. Although the chair has scratches and cracks in the paint due to age, it has been left in its original state. This is because we believe that this is the same as how the wonderful experiences at Reminiscence have been etched in the hearts of many people. Through this installation, we hope you will be able to feel the essential philosophy that Chef Masaki Kuzuhara has poured into his cuisine, which goes beyond the taste and presentation of Reminiscence's dishes. You can feel three elements in this installation: "past," "present," and "future." Chairs are not only meant to "relax" the body when people "sit" in them, but they are also made to "liberate" the mind and soul. Through these chairs, please feel the "style," "philosophy," and "concept" that Chef Masaki Kuzuhara of Reminiscence has put into his cuisine.
Joseph Kosuth, One and Three Chairs, 1965. Courtesy the artist and Sean Kelly Gallery New York
This IW2 chair installation is,Joseph KosuthThis piece pays homage to the artist's work, "One and Three Chairs." The composition, consisting of an actual chair, a photograph of the chair, and a description of the chair, is significant and contains a message. It is conceptual art created by the artists as a new form of expression, an antithesis to the idea that art should be merely superficial, like just writing beautifully or creating a work of art.
These can also be applied to the restaurant industry. As global restaurant trends and the very existence of restaurants are undergoing a major transformation, the restaurant that ranked number one in the best restaurants list is from Peru, South America.CentralThis symbolizes that, and we hope that these contemporary art pieces will inspire people to rethink the future of the restaurant industry. We believe that art, business, and restaurants are fundamentally the same, and that there are no boundaries between them. The economist Schumpeter's theory of "new combinations" and Duchamp's "readymade" works are fundamentally the same; both demonstrate the importance of taking a different perspective on things that differs from preconceived notions, and of "thinking" about various things in order to "create new value."
This is philosophy itself, the very essence of Socrates' "philosophia." Philosophia, when expressed in Japanese, means "love of knowledge," and it teaches that the most important thing is a "spirit of inquiry into thinking" about various things. I always think that the area of "Aichi" is a place name that truly symbolizes philosophy, and there is something fateful about Reminiscence being located in such a place.
The reason we chose an art-themed installation for this celebration is that it incorporates a message beyond what is written here, and that message is alreadyKuzuharaI have informed the chef. Everyone has their own way of thinking about and perceiving art, so I hope that each person who sees this installation will feel something from it.
The person in charge of the store design this time wasDesign plus alphaThe architectural designer of "[title]":Takeshi NishimuraMr.KuzuharaIt was created with the chef's ideal creative world in mind. The main dining room, based on the concept, is finished in a simple, modern style with white as the main color.
As you slowly make your way down the long corridor leading to the main dining room with a mystical approach, it is an important process for further advancing the "Memories" stage, and various memories race through your mind in this space. At the end of the memories you arrive at, you see an arch reminiscent of an igloo, and as you pass through the arch, you are greeted by the mystical main dining room, decorated in white and light.
The space was like a flickering candle inside a snow hut, with soft light pouring in from a large circular light adorned with traditional patterns, creating a rare and beautiful atmosphere.Jacob KjærThe chairs are illuminated, gently enveloping the arriving guests. The moment you step into the main dining room, your sense of anticipation and excitement for the unknown experience that awaits you rises all at once.
In this space, sensory experiences race through the brain, imprinted as new memories, and emotions connect like synapses. Reminiscence can truly be described as a system that creates "recollections" for the future.
By connecting two private rooms that can accommodate 4 to 6 people, it becomes possible to accommodate up to 10 people, and the private rooms maintain a sense of privacy.Jacob KjærJK-02, also "HOSOOThe fabric has been replaced with Kyoto Nishijin weaving.
Matching the all-white interior, the staircase is also finished in white. To the left of the landing is the entrance to the wine cellar on the second floor, and to the right is a private room reserved for VIPs.
2nd floor VIP room
The VIP-only private room, which can comfortably accommodate about 6 people, includes:KitaniA custom-made long table and a Jacob Kjær 1948 JK-05 chair that completely envelops your back, creating a sense of tranquility, are placed in the room, and a contemporary-style terrace is provided, allowing you to enjoy the atmosphere of an outdoor terrace as well.
”The wine cellar, designed to resemble the snow of a snow hut, houses a stunning collection of 2,000 carefully selected wines, stretching from the first to the second floor, reaching high into the sky.
The wine selection focuses primarily on Burgundy, and they also possess many rare and highly valuable bottles that are not usually available. For pairings, they offer delicious items that you might not normally order even if they're on the list, striving to provide a selection that allows customers to experience the joy of wine. They are confident in the quality of their products, as they only purchase genuine products. Thermometers are installed throughout the wine cellar, and thorough temperature control ensures that the wines are stored and aged appropriately, without compromising their quality.
The north exit has a restaurant attached to it.Wine Bar KAn entrance is provided, making it feel as easy to enter as if you were returning to your own home, so you can drop by at your leisure.
Our opening hours are from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM, so we can accommodate you for an aperitif before dinner, a drink after dinner, or even just as a bar.
Unlike "Reminiscence," the interior, based on Chanel beige, gives off a slightly softer impression, and the waiting area is similar to that of a restaurant.Louis PoulsenWohlert pendant lights cast a soft glow, creating a mystical space where you can enjoy the moonlight pouring in from the skylight. Here too, there is an arched back bar reminiscent of an igloo, a counter top made of African berry wood with a textured leather finish that has been patinated, and the same decor as the restaurant.Kitani"of"Jacob KjærThe JK-05 is finished in a warm reddish-brown color, gently fitting the body and creating a comfortable space.
Kaori Yamaguchi
Born in Mizuho City, Gifu Prefecture.After graduating from university, I worked as a nurse in an acute care hospital for about 5 years.My assigned ward is a mixed ward covering cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal diseases.I was assigned to the COVID-19 ward from the early stages of the pandemic.While I felt pride and fulfillment in my profession as a nurse, supporting patients during their most difficult times, working in a COVID-19 ward and interacting with patients made me acutely aware that you never know what will happen in life, and I resolved to make choices that I wouldn't regret in this one life I have. I'm often asked by customers and those around me, "Did you quit because you hated being a nurse?", but I still truly respect and love the nursing profession, and my experience working as a nurse is a great asset. When I visited "Reminiscence" after the third wave of COVID-19 had subsided, I was impressed by the smiles of the customers and the wonderful profession of providing happy moments to customers, and I began to aspire to work in the food and beverage industry. I've always been interested in wine,KuzuharaWith advice from a chef, she aimed to obtain a qualification, balancing her work as a nurse with attending wine school, and finally obtained the qualification in 2022. After that, she trained for seven months at "Donnaluce," a wine bar owned by her mentor, Naruse, the sommelier of "Settanta," before moving to "Wine Bar K," which is attached to "Reminiscence," where she works to this day.
A wine bar where you can enjoy wines from Reminiscence. Currently, the food menu includes seasonal fruits and cheeses to accompany the wine, and in the future, they plan to gradually expand the menu to include quiches and pastas made with high-quality ingredients.Baccarat"The gleam of Massena wine glasses, reflected in the mirror, overlaps in layers, wishing for a constant stream of customers."
The beginning of Reminiscence Chapter Three. Congratulations on your relocation and reopening!
The concept and store details are conveyed as the restaurant moves towards the next stage of growth into a grand maison.~New Store Edition~Next, we'll show you the passionate teamwork taking place in the kitchen and the full-course dinner menu.〜Course meal edition〜This is the result.
[You can read the latest Reminiscence article (March 12, 2026) here]
Reminiscence
Address: 3-18-3 Tsutsui, Higashi-ku, Nagoya City, South Exit
Reservations: TEL 052-228-8337
For inquiries, please call: 052-228-8275
Opening hours: Lunch 12:00 (last order), Dinner 18:00-18:30 (last order)
Closed days: Please check the calendar on our official website.
Parking: Please use the nearby coin-operated parking lots.
Wine bar K
Address: 3-18-3 Tsutsui, Higashi-ku, Nagoya City, North Exit
TEL: 070-1629-3800
Opening hours: 19:00 - 0:00
Closed on:Official InstagramPlease check our story highlights for our regular closing days.
