With its cute styling and exhilarating drive, the Fiat 500 compact car has captivated fans worldwide with its unique Italian character. Designer Kaie Murakami, who had long been interested in the car, recently took the wheel to explore his favorite spots in Tokyo. How did this "little Italian masterpiece" resonate with a creator who carves out the times with his refined sensibility?
Text by TAKI Masashi | Photographs by MAEDA Akira | Edit by YAMAGUCHI Koichi
The Car Itself is Positive and Bright
Morning in Tokyo's Nihonbashi Kabutocho. On a backstreet in Japan's premier financial district, behind the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the "Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge" arrived, clad in Pasodoble Red. Against the quiet backdrop of Kabutocho before trading begins, its vibrant body color and rounded, cute form stood out strikingly.
K5, a renovated historic building originally completed in 1923 as a branch of Dai-ichi Bank. When the Fiat 500 parked in front, it felt as if one had briefly been transported to Italy.
Soon, the car pulled up in front of "K5," a complex facility housing the high-end boutique hotel "HOTEL K5." Stepping out of the driver's seat was Kaie Murakami, a designer and CEO of the creative agency SIMONE. At the entrance, he was greeted by Atsuki Kuroda, the owner-chef of "CAVEMAN," the restaurant on the first floor of "K5." They had driven here in the Fiat 500 for breakfast at his restaurant, which opens at 8:30 AM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Inside CAVEMAN, a comfortable space with an impressive ceiling height welcomes guests.
Enjoyed two delicious dishes and a conversation with Chef Kuroda.
Kaie Murakami is a car enthusiast who constantly contemplates the future of sustainable mobility. Although he bases his European operations in Berlin, leading one to assume a preference for German cars, he has been keenly interested in the Fiat 500 since its release.
"Its existence is unique, isn't it? Beyond its iconic design, it has also evolved as a form of mobility. Just getting in makes you feel excited, positive, and cheerful. It would fit right in not only in Turin and Milan but also in Southern Italy."
Indeed, parking the Fiat 500 in front of "K5" made the scene feel as if it were a corner of Milan's Via Montenapoleone.
A vegetarian open sandwich topped with roasted cauliflower and onions on a bed of chickpea hummus, offering a low-calorie, nutritious option.
An open sandwich featuring charcoal-grilled chicken thigh, coriander, pickled radish, peanuts, and chrysanthemum petals, a colorful dish that is a feast for the eyes.
At "CAVEMAN," a historic wooden building with the ambiance of the former Dai-ichi Bank annex built in 1923, Chef Kuroda, who previously served as sous-chef at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant "Maaemo" in Oslo, Norway, presented two meticulously prepared dishes. One was a vegetarian open sandwich with roasted cauliflower and onions on chickpea hummus, and the other was a banh mi-style open sandwich with charcoal-grilled chicken thigh, coriander, pickled radish, peanuts, and chrysanthemum petals. "This hummus is incredible," Murakami said with a smile. He was engrossed in a morning conversation with Chef Kuroda, exchanging information about recently discovered culinary gems.
A Calm Ride, Contrasting with its Exterior
After leaving "CAVEMAN," Kaie Murakami took the wheel of the Fiat 500 again, heading towards SIMONE, his office located between Ebisu and Daikanyama. He entered the Shuto Expressway's Central Circular Route from the Kyobashi ramp, accelerating the car.
The design is inspired by the Fiat Nuova 500, which debuted in 1957. The instrument panel, in the same color as the body, is particularly striking.
The checkered seats are as cute as the exterior.
"It drives quite solidly. I expected a go-kart-like feel due to its compact size and short wheelbase, but it's surprisingly stable and planted. It also feels rigid."
The tire size of the Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge, 185/55R15, also seems to contribute to this.
"This Dualogic transmission is also unique. I see Fiat 500s often in the city, and it's impressive that all drivers seem to handle it so skillfully (laughs). Once you get used to it, it drives smoothly, and it's well-designed as a system that fosters affection for the car."
SIMONE's office, resembling a high-end hotel or museum, reflects Kaie Murakami's aesthetic.
His office, which he designed himself, doesn't feel like an office at all. It's closer to an atelier, a lab, and a studio. The entrance and lounge evoke the atmosphere of a discreet boutique hotel.
"I truly love my work, deeply. It's always been that way. Sometimes I surprise myself, but I've never felt it was difficult or wanted to quit. This must be what they call a calling."
He began his career at the Miyake Design Studio, apprenticing under Issey Miyake. In the late 1990s, he showcased his talents across apparel, product design, advertising art direction, web design, and directing shows for Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks. Naturally, he began frequenting Italy around that time.
The design, picturesque from any angle, is a hallmark of the Fiat 500.
The design, picturesque from any angle, is a hallmark of the Fiat 500.
The design, picturesque from any angle, is a hallmark of the Fiat 500.
"When I started visiting Milan, the original Fiat 500 was still commonly seen driving on the cobblestone streets. As seen in 'Lupin the Third' and the movie 'The Big Blue,' the Fiat 500 is more than just a car; it's an icon. Having experienced that firsthand during my trips to Milan, I've been intrigued by the current model ever since it debuted."
Exploring Favorite Shops in the Fiat 500
"Shall we go out for a bit?" Murakami picked up the Fiat 500's keys again. His destination was "BIOTOP," an ethical concept store in Shirokanedai. BIOTOP curates selections from top maisons and emerging brands worldwide, offering natural cosmetics, lifestyle goods, and regularly hosting brand pop-up shops and art events. Kaie Murakami was engrossed in checking out the men's collection on the second floor.
He visits BIOTOP often, sometimes for tea, sometimes for shopping.
The clothes he was wearing that day were also purchased at BIOTOP.
"There's a very comfortable space on the third floor. Would you like to go?"
It was a spacious hideaway called "LIKE."
"This was opened by Taichi Hara, the chef of 'PATH,' a French restaurant in Yoyogi-Hachiman. 'PATH' is incredibly popular and reservations are hard to come by, but this place might still be accessible. The cuisine has a multinational feel, or rather, it's about enjoying delicious food without being bound by style. I come here quite often on weekend afternoons."
The terrace seating at "LIKE," facing the tree-lined street in Shirokane, offers a relaxed atmosphere.
"LIKE," opened by Taichi Hara, chef of the French restaurant 'PATH' in Yoyogi-Hachiman.
That day, Murakami took the wheel of the Fiat 500 one last time, heading to "Human Nature," a shop specializing in natural wines. Located in Nihonbashi Kabutocho, it's very close to "CAVEMAN," where he had breakfast. To navigate the route from Shirokane, he connected his iPhone to the Uconnect system with its 7-inch touchscreen monitor via a Lightning cable.
The Uconnect system with its 7-inch touchscreen monitor supports iPhone CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Uconnect system with its 7-inch touchscreen monitor supports iPhone CarPlay and Android Auto.
"This system connects quickly and responds well. Some premium cars have unstable and slow Bluetooth connections (laughs). It also charges reliably. This unit, which can use both wired and Bluetooth connections, is very user-friendly. It's intuitive and clear, and I feel it suits this car."
The shop was a renovated wooden building, formerly a stylish eel restaurant called "Matsuyoshi" beloved by many financiers. The owner, Shinichi Takahashi, had an air of a philosopher rather than a wine merchant. The labels on the wines he stocked were all unique and playful, and this unpretentious approach, distancing itself from the often-authoritative image of wine, is what makes natural wine truly natural.
With owner Takahashi at Human Nature.
Its compact body makes navigating the narrow backstreets of Kabutocho effortless.
Takahashi operates a web shop based in Nakano and opened this physical store in March. His sole criterion for selection is "Is it delicious? Do I like it?" Since opening, the shop has garnered a large following.
"Natural wine has been evolving in fascinating ways over the past few years, and sometimes an alternative producer's bottle can easily surpass mainstream options. This is reflected in the labels of the bottles displayed here," said Kaie Murakami. That day, with Takahashi's guidance, he selected a lightly sparkling white wine from the Czech Republic and a red from the South of France made from an Italian grape varietal. He felt a connection between this red, grown in France from an Italian grape, and the Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge he was driving today.
A selection of natural wines chosen by owner Takahashi are on display. The playful labels are eye-catching.
When not driving, one can also enjoy wine at the counter.
Renovated from the stylish wooden building of the former eel restaurant "Matsuyoshi."
Reaffirming the Appeal of Compact Mobility
On the way back, we asked Kaie Murakami about his experience with the Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge.
"I was reminded of the benefits of compact mobility. When you live in a city with well-developed public transportation, you tend to travel directly from point A to point B. Taking a train or bus from one station to another turns you into a mere spectator of the passing scenery. A car, however, allows you to experience every corner, like navigating a fine grid, and truly feel the fabric of the city. I value that sensation above all else; if I'm intrigued by a new shop, I want to be able to park the car immediately and go see it, to step inside. This car is perfect for that kind of exploration."
If you owned the Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge, would you drive around Tokyo often?
The Fiat 500 is ideal for urban travel.
He also enjoyed driving in manual mode.
"Although I'm quite busy now and haven't had the time, I used to visit Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto every year during the first three days of the New Year. I would go alone, stay in Kyoto for two or three days, and then return. I think this car would be wonderful in Kyoto too. Kyoto also has narrow and complex streets. The Cinquecento seems like it would blend beautifully into the cityscape as a charming accent."
Each of the shops Murakami visited that day, chosen by him, maintained a distance from established authority, trusting and refining their own standards to offer taste and comfort. The Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge, in its Pasodoble Red, connected these points, transforming the journey itself into a valuable experience.
Spec
Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge
Body Dimensions | Length 3,570 x Width 1,625 x Height 1,515 mm
Wheelbase | 2,300 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,415/1,410 mm
Vehicle Weight | 1,040 kg
Engine | 875cc Inline 2-cylinder Turbo
Max. Output | 63 kW (85 ps) / 5,500 rpm
Max. Torque | 145 Nm (14.8 kgm) / 1,900 rpm
Transmission | 5-speed Sequential with AT Mode (Dualogic)
Drivetrain | FF
Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut (with stabilizer)
K5 A complex facility comprising the boutique hotel "HOTEL K5," the restaurant "CAVEMAN," and the bar "Ao." The building itself, a renovation of the former Dai-ichi Bank annex, is also a major attraction. https://k5-tokyo.com/
