Unless you're hiring a vehicle (or you're an F1 superfan), it's unlikely you'll spend much of your holiday thinking about cars. This is especially true in Tokyo, a dizzying metropolis that's about as far as you can get from the ideal road-trip destination. But one place you must visit during your time in the Japanese capital – regardless of your preferred mode of transport – is Intersect by Lexus.
As the name suggests, the space brings together many of the finer things in life – food, art, design, music, technology and more – in one exciting three-storey space. Located in Aoyama, a neighbourhood renowned for its high-end cafés, bars and fashion boutiques, Intersect rivals the very best lifestyle hubs. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this summer, it's an inspirational experience that'll set your imagination free.
At a glance, you might not even realise it’s designed by Lexus. While the graceful, light-filled interiors are a vision of contemporary elegance, merging modern, clean lines with traditional crafts, there are no obvious logos or showy graphics. But look a little closer and you'll see the brand in the detail – a façade of layered Japanese bamboo forms the Lexus marque; a display called the Parts Wall, which on close inspection reveals 250 car components; monochrome marble floors which call to mind the tread of a tyre, and seating made of the same leather that’s used in the Lexus LFA supercar interiors. Everything here is an exploration of craftsmanship and a celebration of the beautiful, balanced design that characterises Japanese aesthetics and Lexus itself.
The first floor is a relaxed café and social space, created to foster connections and bring people together. Here, you can take a picture-perfect afternoon tea that includes buns with practically reflective glazes, and a menu of coffees sourced from Japanese roasteries. The first and second floors are also home to the Flag Partition, a flexible, modular interior where spaces are separated by brightly-coloured mesh screens, a legacy of Covid-19, which won the Grand Prix at the prestigious Red Dot Design Awards in 2021.
It’s just a taste of the innovation on offer here. Continue to the Garage, which houses contemporary art and design as well as cars. There's a revolving series of exhibitions, including displays on the Lexus Design Award – an international competition which calls on rising talent to shape a better future. Artworks from around the world are displayed against a backdrop of aluminium panels and futuristic lighting. It's less a car showroom, more a clubby, cutting-edge gallery, with installations designed to spark delight and curiosity. You can also shop from the artisanal range Crafted By Lexus – perhaps you'll be tempted by a pair of handmade sunglasses, a beautifully woven lambswool blanket or a ceramic coffee kit with a volcanic-ash glaze?
In the second-floor lounge, traditional media makes a return with the library lounge. Spend time flicking through your pick of over 500 books on a wide range of subjects – it’s a far cry from the standard car manual. The second floor is also where you'll find the bistro, which serves seasonal plant-based, fish and Akaushi beef dishes. Be sure to make a detour to the bathroom to admire its ceiling, covered in hundreds of model cars. Meanwhile the smart, basement-level Club House is open by arrangement for special events and meetings.
Intersect is more than a restaurant, a shop or a gallery. It's an immersive hub where people are invited to engage with Lexus in a whole new way. Its stylish vibe and cultural innovation makes it one of the most intriguing spaces in Tokyo, for lifelong petrol heads and passengers alike.
To discover more, visit discoverlexus.com/stories/intersect-by-lexus.