Natasha Levy

Lanterns, alley-like walkways and other details reminiscent of Tokyo's Golden Gai neighbourhood feature in this restaurant designed by Joyce Wang Studio in Hong Kong. Genso is one of several dining options at Hong Kong's Sha Tin Racecourse, which opened in 1978 to cater to the city's growing demand for horse races. The two-floor restaurant offers a variety of Japanese fare, and its interiors take inspiration from Japan, too – most notably Golden Gai, a buzzy pocket of Tokyo's Shinjuku ward known for its grid of narrow alleyways packed with tiny bars and eateries. A tiled counter marks the entrance to Genso restaurant "Golden Gai is a city within a city; it has its own rules, its own personality, it really feels like you can escape and lose yourself within it," designer Joyce Wang told Dezeen. "For Genso, we wanted to recreate that feeling and carve out different levels and layers to the space – in the form of stairs, platforms, bridges, lookouts, walkways – capturing the diverse experiences that exist in a vibrant city like Tokyo, and Hong Kong." Upholstered banquettes and lanterns feature in the casual dining space downstairs At the front of the restaurant stands a large reception desk. Its base is inky-blue stained timber while the counter is clad with tiny ceramic tiles, evocative of pixelated manga styles or old-school video games. For Wang, it was important that Genso had a slightly retro feel. "There's something appealing about a time that is difficult to pinpoint and place;