EAT | Susumu Koyama, the chocolatier praised worldwide, and his secret base "Rozilla"
EAT | Susumu Koyama's Secret Base: The Chocolatier Praised Worldwide
Introducing "Rozilla," a New Chocolatier Space Born in a "Kingdom of Sweets"
Susumu Koyama, the creator of "Koyama Roll," which sells 1,600 units daily, is a world-renowned chocolatier and patissier. On February 4th, within the expansive, verdant 1500-tsubo grounds of "Patissier es Koyama" in Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture, a new chocolatier space, "Rozilla," opened as the only store where his chocolates can be purchased. This space is dedicated to his chocolate creations.
Text by YANAKA Tomomi
This Spring, the Cacao Bar "a・ZITTO" Will Also Open!
Last October, Susumu Koyama received the "Best Chocolatier in the Foreigners' Category" award for the second consecutive year at the "Salon du Chocolat," a chocolate festival held in Paris, France. "Rozilla" was opened with the wish that not only adults but also children could experience his world-acclaimed chocolates and his playful worldview.
The grounds of "Patissier es Koyama," spanning 1500 tsubo and known as a "Kingdom of Sweets," already housed the main store, along with a boulangerie (for bread), a confiture and macaron shop, a gift salon, a cafe, and a confectionery class. "Rozilla" is a portmanteau coined from "rojiura" (back alley), which was Koyama's childhood playground, and "Godzilla," a boy's game of pretending to be the monster. It's a dreamlike place where one can become a monster or a hero, or anything at all, by exercising their imagination, with the concept of "a secret base created with passion by grown-ups."—This sentiment is imbued within the space.
The store, designed by architect Yukio Hashimoto, is characterized by its staggered two-story structure built into a small hill, with the first floor partially buried underground. This design not only offers a playful appearance and atmosphere but also incorporates meticulous engineering to enable the sale of bonbon chocolates year-round—a feat considered difficult in Japan due to its extreme seasonal temperature and humidity fluctuations—and features a glass-enclosed chocolate cellar. The design emphasizes natural materials like earth and wood, and it is brought to life through the collective wisdom and skills of professionals in various fields, including world-renowned plasterer Yuu Kusumi, gardeners, and lighting designers.
The first floor houses "1000‰ (Permille)," a dedicated sales booth for bonbon chocolates. Additionally, this spring will see the opening of "a・ZITTO," a cacao bar where visitors can enjoy chocolate drinks made from freshly ground cacao. The second floor features a workshop where one can observe the chocolate-making process in detail.
Step into the dimly lit interior of "Rozilla," and you'll be greeted by the sweet aroma of chocolate, filling visitors with excitement and anticipation. This is the birth of a captivating secret base, where a childhood dream of "a place like this" has become a reality, offering happiness through world-acclaimed chocolates.
Rozilla
Address | 5-32-1 Yurikino-dai, Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture, within Patissier es Koyama
Tel. 079-564-3192
http://www.es-koyama.com/