OTM Restaurant & Bar

OTM Restaurant & Bar in Kanazawa, a city rich in history and tradition in Japan’s Hokuriku region, is the country’s first restaurant specialising in microgreens. These tiny vegetables that have been sprouting for less than 3 weeks are a powerhouse of nutrients, packed with over five times the amount of minerals and vitamins of their mature counterparts. OTM’s homegrown microgreens form the basis of everything that appears on the menu, from pasta and sandwiches to guilt-free ice cream and even Basque cheesecake.

The aim for the restaurant’s operators, Sabi Corporation, was to create a space where locals could relax and enjoy high-quality food in a refined yet welcoming setting. They also wanted the ability to shift to a more upbeat, bar-like ambience in the evening with a mixture of cool programmed beats and live DJ sets.

Working closely with Genelec Japan, the team mapped out a sound plan tailored to OTM’s layout. Ultimately, they decided on ten compact 4020C loudspeakers in Genelec’s unique RAW aluminium finish, strategically positioned throughout the space and connected using Euroblock terminals for a clean, seamless 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 effortlessly with OTM’s interior design.

From a functional perspective, the 4020C delivers well-balanced sound with Genelec’s trademark clarity, intelligibility and uniform coverage, which enhances the restaurant’s atmosphere without overpowering conversations.

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 Sabi Corporation’s CEO, Mr. Yamazaki himself, carefully chosen to suit different times of the day.

Finally, a DJ booth complete with a Pioneer DJ setup has been installed to take advantage of the high-quality Genelec sound system in the restaurant – turning it into more of a party venue in the evening.

The main challenge in this venue was the highly reflective surfaces resulting from the deliberately industrial aesthetic. Lots of polished concrete, tiles, a huge glass window at the front and minimal wall coverings led to a significant amount of reflected sound.

Genelec Japan overcame this by careful planning and positioning of the Genelec 4020C loudspeakers and judicious use of the room response controls found on the back panel of each loudspeaker. The controlled directivity and clean, uncoloured response of Genelec loudspeakers (both on and off-axis) helped to mitigate some of the room influences and provide uniform coverage, while the room response controls allow integrators to further fine tune the LF and HF characteristics of each loudspeaker. This helps to ensure the most neutral possible frequency response at the listening position.

Additionally, the clean, clutter-free aesthetic of OTM dictated a minimalist approach for audio equipment – hence the choice of Genelec’s high-quality active 4020C loudspeakers. Active loudspeakers eliminate the need for bulky external amplifiers and reduce the cabling requirements, leading to a simplified installation process.

Continuing the aesthetic theme, Sabi Corporation selected the loudspeakers in Genelec’s RAW unpainted recycled aluminium finish as the perfect complement to OTM’s industrial décor.

Initially, high-quality audio wasn’t on the menu for Sabi Corporation, but a visit to an art gallery featuring a Genelec sound system convinced Sabi’s CEO otherwise. Realising that audio plays a huge role in shaping the atmosphere of any space, and that the higher the quality of the sound, the better the customer experience, Mr. Yamazaki decided that a premium quality sound system should be a key part of the restaurant’s design from the outset.

Until now, acoustics and audio had always been among the final considerations for Sabi Corporation when designing a new venue. This was the first time that audio had been built into the concept from the beginning.

The primary motivation for this decision was the quality of the experience for the diner and the ability to influence and transform the mood. Especially important was the ability to carry on conversations at a comfortable level without being distracted by those around you – yet still be able to enjoy the music.

In Mr Yamazaki’s words, “You can clearly hear conversations at the same table, but you’re not bothered by conversations around you. I was looking for loudspeakers that could achieve this, and Genelec’s sound was perfect. Another major feature is that they allow you to listen to music comfortably. The sound is clear and detailed while the bass is comfortable – present but not aggressive – making it easy to listen to.”

The Genelec system has provided a solution in a difficult acoustic environment that delivers extremely detailed, non-fatiguing audio whatever the playback level. Lunchtime is more relaxed with peaceful, calming music, while the evening crowd looks forward to a higher energy vibe that is fun and engaging – but still non-fatiguing, which encourages guests to stay longer.

Finally, the sustainability element was important to OTM management. The 4020C’s class D amplifier design and ISS power saving mode delivers energy efficiency, while the reliability of Genelec technology offers longevity running into decades. Finally, the RAW recycled aluminium finish, which avoids painting and finishing processes, reduces the environmental impact still further for a truly sustainable, long-term solution.