WA-RA Japanese Restaurant

WA-RA Japanese restaurant is led by Chef Kudo, who has inherited the culinary techniques from a Michelin two-star chef, and the head chef, who skillfully employs the traditional Edo-period cooking method of warayaki (straw-grilled) with the essence of kaiseki cuisine. Incorporating innovative elements, the restaurant captures the changing seasons and precise temperature control of Kaohsiung, showcasing the cultural narrative valued by the InterContinental Hotels brand. The result is a selection of exquisitely crafted individual dishes.

The restaurant’s visual space metaphorically represents the colors of underwater lava, creating a Japanese-style nightlife atmosphere with scattered sprinkles. The distinctive themed bar features a ceiling height of over 30 meters, comparable to an experimental theater space. It houses a Japanese-themed bar that offers immersive light projection shows at 20:00 and 22:00 on operational days. The shows, created by renowned animators for world tours of top-tier bands and artists, along with the Best Music Design winner of the 2021 Golden Bell Awards, present a 4-minute digital art concept called “Abundant Sea.” Divided into four chapters—Origin of All Things, Ocean of the Universe, Seasons and Winds, and Intelligent City—it interprets the development context of Kaohsiung City from the past to the future. The core of the story revolves around the medium “ocean,” seamlessly connecting with the hotel’s interior design. It incorporates visual elements and color schemes inspired by traditional Japanese culture, complementing the WA-RA Japanese restaurant’s ambiance. This audiovisual masterpiece, infused with futuristic aesthetics, provides guests with a fantastical artistic feast that transcends the five senses.