Japan has plenty of old and dated coffee shops. Establishments that look and feel like they belong in a completely different era. At the same time, it’s a spell that can easily be broken by a TV playing in the corner, or even something minor like a modern appliance or menu.
This almost 80 year old establishment, on the other hand, has no such distractions. Everything from the dust and grime to the ageing proprietor takes you back to an earlier time. A business that has been in the owner’s family since its inception, and with coffee only costing ¥160 a cup, it’s very clearly love rather than money that keeps him going. For how much longer it’s impossible to say, but until the day it finally closes, it’ll remain a place that is truly like no other.
Denise says
Oh my the owner is adorable! 🙂
Lee says
Yeah, he’s a lovely fella. It felt very comfortable in there.
Damien says
And is the coffee good, Lee? The ham toastie is incredible value at that price. Love how many of these octogenarian male proprietors still sport moustaches and berets.
Lee says
Yeah, it was pretty good. No complaints at all.
I know eh? Those prices are just incredible. And yes, that style is great. Really suits so many of that generation too.
Richard says
What a walk into the past! Does he play jazz music in the background?!?
Lee says
I know. A truly incredibly place. Sadly no jazz, but the lack of music certainly didn’t detract from the ambience.
Freddie says
I went there around 5 years ago and I still have the never-to-be-discarded handwritten receipt for my 160-yen cuppa’ coffee. Considering the price, a very fine ‘cuppa it was, putting many so-called ‘artisan coffee’ establishments charging exponentially higher prices to shame. I am relieved to read that the precious owner – a true diamond geezer, if ever there was – is still kicking and yet to pass on inflationary pressures to his customers. It was an experience to savour, as was the entire afternoon (3x old-school kissa-ten and a genuine natural spring water sentō to finish), all on foot via backstreets, eschewing main roads.
Lee says
That whole area is absolutely fascinating, isn’t it? Nowhere else like it in Japan. And yeah, he’s a thoroughly good bloke. Him and this place will live long in the memory.
Keiko says
Where is this place, I wonder?
Lee says
It’s in Osaka. Not found a Tokyo equivalent. Doubt I ever will.
cdilla says
There is so much to love in your photographs. The clean bright red of that lampshade, the all but clean age patinaed yellow of the water heater, and the perfectly aged owner of course.
That’s a long covered shopping street it’s on. One I have bookmarked should we spend some time in Osaka. I’d love to have a coffee and curried rice in there some day. Best not leave it too long I suspect.
How did you find it? It seems quite a way out from the city centre?
Lee says
Thank you. It was a real privilege to be in there, and take a few photos.
Yeah, the shotengai are similarly special. A good few days worth of exploration at the very least. In fact I thought I’d done what was interesting, then my mate took me to this coffee shop. A little area I’d totally missed on my own.
scruffy says
I experience so much through your photos. Even if I were to venture to that town, what are the chances I would find this place? Slim, I’d say. So thanks. I kept waiting for a shot in which the barista lights up a gitanes.
The clutter is glorious.
Lee says
Thank you, that’s really good to hear. It genuinely is a place like no other.
Must admit, I’d explored the area the previous couple days, and thought I’d covered all the interesting spots. Then a mate took me here. A part of town I’d completely missed…
Carm says
Been here last 2017. May I ask if cafe maruya is still open?