Genelec goes (micro) green at OTM Restaurant & Bar

Kanazawa, a city rich in history and tradition on Japan’s western coast, is now home to a unique dining experience that blends innovation with hospitality. OTM Restaurant & Bar is Japan’s first restaurant specialising in microgreens, which has opened its doors on the second floor of Kanazawa Hakomachi, a shopping mall near JR Kanazawa Station. With its stylish, industrial interior and focus on health-conscious cuisine, OTM offers a fresh take on dining – enhanced by the pristine sound of ten Genelec 4020C loudspeakers.

Microgreens are young vegetable shoots that have been sprouting for just one to three weeks. These tiny vegetables, less than 5cm tall, are a powerhouse of nutrients, packed with over five times the amount of vitamins and minerals than their mature counterparts. At OTM, their 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. The restaurant’s sleek, monochromatic interior provides the perfect backdrop for these visually striking dishes.

Music shapes the atmosphere, often influencing a guest’s experience on a subconscious level.

Yuka Miyamoto, PR and Marketing Manager at Sabi Corporation (which operates OTM), explains that the team wanted to create a space where locals could relax and enjoy high-quality food in a refined yet welcoming setting. "Music plays a huge role in shaping a restaurant’s atmosphere, often influencing a guest’s experience on a subconscious level," says Miyamoto. “That’s why Genelec loudspeakers were chosen to bring OTM’s ambiance to life.”

The idea to incorporate Genelec sound into the restaurant came from Sabi Corporation’s 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 had previously been an afterthought.

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.

This project has reinforced just how important audio is in a restaurant environment.

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. "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, carefully 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," explains Miyamoto. "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 exceptional 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.