Kanazawa on Japan’s western coast is home to a new dining experience that blends innovation with hospitality – the OTM Restaurant & Bar, Japan’s first to specialise in microgreens.
Located on the second floor of the Kanazawa Hakomachi shopping mall near JR Kanazawa Station, its stylish, industrial interior and focus on health-conscious cuisine, offers a fresh take on dining accompanied by an ambience set by ten Genelec 4020C loudspeakers.
Microgreens are young vegetable shoots that have been sprouting for one-to-three weeks. Less than 5cm tall, they are a powerhouse of nutrients, packed with more than five times the vitamins and minerals than their mature counterparts. At OTM, the home-grown microgreens are not just an ingredient but the foundation of the menu, appearing in everything from pasta and sandwiches to guilt-free ice cream and even Basque cheesecake.
‘Music plays a huge role in shaping a restaurant’s atmosphere, often influencing a guest’s experience on a subconscious level,’ says Yuka Miyamoto, PR and Marketing Manager at Sabi Corporation, which operates OTM. ‘Genelec loudspeakers were chosen to bring OTM’s ambiance to life.’
Bringing Genelec into the restaurant came at the suggestion of Sabi Corporation CEO, Mr Yamazaki. While visiting an art gallery in Tokyo, he was struck by the clarity and depth of the Genelec loudspeakers installed there. The experience stayed with him, and when planning OTM, he decided that high-quality sound should be a key part of the restaurant’s design from the outset – a first for the company, where acoustics were previously an afterthought.
Working with Genelec Japan, the team mapped out a sound plan tailored to OTM’s layout, and decided on ten compact 4020C loudspeakers in Genelec’s Raw aluminium finish, strategically positioned throughout the space and connected using Euroblock terminals for a clean installation.
The 4020C belongs to Genelec’s 4000 series of installation loudspeakers and was selected for both its performance and aesthetics. The Raw recycled aluminium finish chosen by OTM gives them an elegant, industrial look that blends with OTM’s interior design. From a functional perspective, the 4020C delivers well-balanced sound with Genelec’s clarity, intelligibility and uniform coverage, which enhances the restaurant’s atmosphere without overpowering conversations.
‘It was important to find loudspeakers that provide great sound without interfering with the ability to chat comfortably at the table,’ says Miyamoto. ‘Genelec’s loudspeakers achieve exactly that. There’s no harshness or distortion, and the bass feels natural and warm.’
The choice of active loudspeakers was also significant for OTM as it removes the need for bulky, external amplifiers and all associated cabling, which greatly simplifies installation. An iPad-based system controls the music selection, sending audio via Bluetooth to a mixer connected to the 4020C speakers. The restaurant’s playlist is curated by Yamazaki himself, chosen to suit different times of the day.
‘Lunchtime is more relaxed, with lots of solo diners and tourists stopping by for tea, so we play peaceful, calming music. In the evening, the atmosphere shifts to a bar-like setting with cool programmed beats and hip-hop,’ he explains. ‘We’re also planning to introduce live DJ sessions to add another layer to the experience. It’s exciting to see how sound can transform a dining experience, and this project has reinforced just how important audio is in a restaurant environment.’
With Genelec 4020C loudspeakers carefully placed throughout the venue, OTM delivers an blend of great food, stylish design, and high-quality sound. It’s a space that’s as much about the atmosphere as it is about the dining experience – a true reflection of Kanazawa’s evolving hospitality scene.
More: www.genelec.com
