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Mar 02 2016 12 Comments

Tokyo coffee, the old way

Tokyo doesn’t lack coffee shops. Not in any way whatsoever. And perhaps predictably, the big chains dominate; their many seats inexplicably almost always occupied.

But there are alternatives. Mercifully there are a good number of them as well, although it’s hard to imagine that too many have owners as old as the lady below. A lovely woman now well into her 80s, she unhurriedly makes coffee and tea in the limited space available. Then equally unhurriedly, she carries it up to her customers on the floor above. This previously photographed floor, to be exact.

old Tokyo coffee shop owner

Categorized: Food and Drink, Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Martin says

    3/2/2016 at 9:24 am

    I did wonder where the kitchen was in the first photo. She looks like a sweetheart.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      3/2/2016 at 2:36 pm

      She is.

      It’s an odd little setup. When you open the door there are steep stairs going up to the 2nd floor, and this little brewing area is to the right.

      I wasn’t at all sure what the procedure was, but she politely ushered me upstairs, and then a few minutes later she arrived with a glass of water and the menu. All wonderfully civilised and relaxing.

      Reply
  2. cdilla says

    3/2/2016 at 5:33 pm

    That is such a lovely photograph. Not just because of the wonderful old lady, but because of the clarity and colour of everything in the shot. All that polished steel and glass perfectly illuminated; a scattering of primary colours from the green shelves, blue tin and red wall, and that gem-like amber glass mug at the front (same colour as those cat’s eyes). Even the steam is captured perfectly. And all as a frame for that welcoming smile. I do hope the place is still around when we next visit, which sadly will not now be until next year.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      3/2/2016 at 7:16 pm

      Thank you very much. I was very pleased the way it came out. More than anything because I feel it at manages to capture a little of how lovely she is.

      There’s a lot to take in, isn’t there? Amazing what she has packed into that little kitchen. If indeed you can actually class it as a kitchen!

      She still seems amazingly active, so I’m pretty sure you’ll still be good to visit.

      Reply
      • JVH says

        3/3/2016 at 3:20 am

        I’m with cdilla on this. It’s a wonderful photograph to start. And she looks to be a wonderfully inviting lady. I want to meet her too!

        Reply
        • Lee says

          3/3/2016 at 3:43 pm

          Cheers. And yes, she really is. It’s kind of like being spoilt by your grandmother. Just lovely.

          Reply
  3. YTSL says

    3/3/2016 at 12:49 am

    You’d think an 80-something-year-old woman who’s still working wouldn’t be all that happy but she really does seem all smiles! 🙂

    Reply
    • Lee says

      3/3/2016 at 3:36 pm

      I know. How nice it must be to have a job you not only enjoy, but one one you want to continue enjoying for as long as is humanly possible.

      Reply
  4. J. Izumi says

    3/3/2016 at 9:28 am

    May I just ditto what cdilla so beautifully expressed? I’ll be there later this month and will visit for the kind of coffee I most enjoy. Please tell the location. It sort of reminds me of The Lion.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      3/3/2016 at 3:39 pm

      You may indeed! Thank you.

      Ah, I know what you mean about The Lion. Similar-ish, but yet very different. You’ll definitely like it. Here’s the address: 1 Chome-6-11 Kamiogi, Suginami, Tokyo 167-0043

      I ordered the Italian coffee, which came with a hot lemonade too. An interesting combination. But plenty of options to suit whatever you are after.

      Reply
  5. Taki says

    3/3/2016 at 12:47 pm

    Better than suspicious stare or a scowl. A beautiful smile

    Reply
    • Lee says

      3/3/2016 at 3:41 pm

      I do like a good scowl or suspicious stare, but on this occasion the smile definitely wins out!

      Reply

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