Shibuya: An Architectural Gaze

Vol.22 Daisuke Motogi (Architect)

2026.04.03

What truly defines an enjoyable urban quarter? Beyond distinctive shops and green spaces, thoughtful architecture is a key element. Architectural exploration isn't limited to historic locales like Kyoto. It's fully embraced in Shibuya; in fact, it's essential in this district of constant reinvention, revealing the city's profound depth when viewed through an architectural lens. Our guest is architect Daisuke Motogi, whose firm DDAA served as the interior designer for 'all day place shibuya' itself. We hit the streets with him, to discuss the spaces DDAA has created and his personal favorite local joints.

A collaborative cycle with contemporary creators

Walking east from Ebisu Station, a transparent yellow curtain immediately catches the eye. The semi-subterranean space unfolds: a shop displaying leather shoes, with a workshop evidently held in the back. "This is 'circulation' by Hender Scheme. The name reflects its ethos of circulation, focusing on repair, resale, and custom work. Though we have a long partnership, they always find the most intriguing properties. This space, for instance, was originally a parking lot. To embody the concept of circulation, we ensured the renovation was minimal. My main headache was managing the humidity and water intrusion in this semi-subterranean location, though!" he laughs.

A vinyl and club hub that captivated a young music fan

For Daisuke Motogi, who presides over the architecture and design firm DDAA and has designed numerous spaces generating buzz in Tokyo and other locations, his foundational experience with the district traces back to his high school days. He smirks as he recounts traveling from his family home in Kumagaya all the way to Shibuya on every payday from his part-time job-all for the sake of records. "Are you familiar with Cisco Hill? It's beyond Shibuya Center Gai, near Udagawacho. There was an import record store of the same name there. I had played the violin since age three, but I started buying records like crazy back in high school. Back then, Shibuya had completely different atmospheres in each zone: Udagawacho, Shibuya PARCO, Koen Dori... If you went over to Harajuku, it was an entirely separate world." It was so exciting and felt it like the charm of the city.

An urban public space, bridging interior and exterior realms

"I remember back then, people just set up flea markets right on the street. They'd be flipping T-shirts or selling stuff they made themselves. The lively vibe was awesome." The 'all day place shibuya' design stems from this principle of town openness. Its rooms and common areas were intentionally shaped into a public space, blurring the boundary between the hotel and the urban streetscape. "The word 'pub' actually comes from 'public, right? We completely opened up the ground floor so the beer and coffee space could just spill out into the street, and we put the reception up on the second floor instead. We even designed the hotel sign and the ramp railings so you can set your drink down on them.

Domain-crossing architecture, spurred by immense curiosity

How do I come up with ideas? I keep a stockpile of things that catch my attention in everyday life. "All the books I've read, the movies I've watched, the exhibitions I've been to….. I track them all in folders. I end up with about 2,000 entries every year. That basically becomes the raw material for 2,000 different ideas." At 1.5-tsubo micro-bar, "Hana," he inserted a structure inside devising a sliding stair tread that variably serves as a table. For a large external LED screen in the COLUMBIA's store, he directed that the visuals shows not only product advertisement but also natural landscapes. Furthermore, at "LOCUL", he undertook the interior direction by seamlessly connecting the retail and office zones with a gradient.

all day place shibuya's first floor handrail is wide enough to hold drinks.

List

1	1 circulation B1F, Morishima Building, 2-14-3 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku ☎︎03-6450-3125 Official Web↗ A physical store by a popular leather brand focusing on "circularity," offering repair, customisation, and resale options.
2	2 all day place shibuya 1-17-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo ☎︎03-6452-6830 Official Web↗ Motogi handled the interior design, conceiving the guest rooms and common areas to function as a public space for the town.
3	3 Hana 1-25-9 Shibuya, shibuya-ku (Naka-dori, inside Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho) ☎︎03-6824-0787 A micro-bar operated by NOSE SHOP, a specialty store for niche fragrances. The appointment-only attic serves seasonal courses insoired by perfume scents.
4	COLUMBIA TOKYO FLAGSHIP M's Harajuku 1F/2F, 6-27-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Official Web↗ A flagship store that opened in June 2025. The exterior is adorned with a large LED screen, and natural materials are used throughout the interior.
5	5 LOCUL Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku 5F, 4-30-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Official Web↗ A commercial floor transformed into a new kind of shopping street. Diverse shop, pop-ups, and workspaces are loosely and seamlessly connected without difined boundaries.
6	TOKYO BURNSIDE 2F, 5-12-14 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo A culture spot designed by a Norwegian architecutre and design firm. It operates as a café-restaurant during the day and transforms into a bar lounge at night.

Profile

Daisuke Motogi

Born 1981 in Saitama. After graduating from Musashino Art University's Architecture Faculty and working at Schema Architecture Planning, Motogi established DDAA in 2010. His work is broad, encompassing architecture, urban planning, interiors, and product design. He also leads DDAA LAB, which conducts experimental, socially-focused design and research rooted in architectural thinking. He has designed numerous projects throughout Shibuya Ward, including the spots mentioned here.

all streets shibuya