The specialty-coffee scene in Osaka is blooming, and we’re back in this Japanese city for an updated café guide.
BY JODEE FOK
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Photos by Jodee Fok
Coffee, to many enthusiasts, isn’t just a tasty beverage that keeps us awake but also an inspiring means to explore the beautiful cultures and traditions that make each place unique. Osaka, located in the Kansai region of Japan, has such a distinctive, playful character to it and always tops my list of favorite Japanese cities. We first took a coffee tour through Osaka last spring, and today, we’re back with an updated list of cafés worth visiting. Reading through this piece, maybe you’ll also find yourself sharing our fondness for this metropolitan city.
Mill Pour Coffee
Mill Pour Coffee is just a few blocks away from Osaka’s bustling hub, Shinsaibashi—who wouldn’t be there when traveling in Osaka? This small yet stylish café offers a dazzling array of espresso-based drinks and non-coffee options, along with a food menu with tasty snacks like French toast and hot dogs.
When I went, the espresso of the day was a Brazilian and Ethiopian blend, yielding a tea-like smoky flavor profile; it was, as accurately summed up by the owner, a coffee that “you can drink every day and never get tired of it.”
I wish I could have spent more time there, reading some of the coffee books and magazines sitting on the shelves, trying out their “coffee pot service” (with 8 cups of coffee for only 2,000 yen!), and people-watching for a bit.
Coffee-kan – Shinsaibashi
For my second café stop in Osaka, I stepped aside from my typical first thing in the morning—brewing a filter coffee—and went to a nostalgic coffee shop close by, Coffee-kan, to tick Sumiyaki (charcoal-grilled) coffee off my to-try list.
What’s special about Sumiyaki coffee is that it’s roasted using the steady, high heat of charcoal, traditionally Binchotan, that creates a full-bodied texture and an incredibly rich mouthfeel. The large amount of carbon monoxide released from burning charcoal helps delay the oxidation process, preserving the freshness and flavor of coffee for an extended period. Sumiyaki coffee is often served with sugar and a dash of milk, ideally for those who wish to balance out the smokiness of the coffee.
As someone who is more used to coffee with floral and fruity notes, it did take me some time to adjust to its unique flavor profile. Regardless, I enjoyed this quaint breakfast moment savoring my cup of Sumiyaki coffee alongside some fluffy Japanese pancakes.
LiLo Coffee Roasters and Glitch Coffee Osaka are probably familiar names to the specialty-coffee community in Osaka and are also among my favorite coffee shops in the city, as you can read more about them from our previous guide. Don’t forget to check out the cute, colorful merch from stickers and pins to capsule toys designed by LiLo Coffee Roasters—the perfect souvenir to bring home, as well as a great reminder of how vibrant the city is!
POUR specialty coffee
If you’re in search of a lesser-known destination close to Osaka, head to Onomichi. It is a port city with a history dating back to the Middle Ages, where you’ll be surrounded by narrow streets and alleys, ancient temples, and cobblestone stairways. Walking toward the Mount Senkoji Ropeway, I stumbled upon a small coffee shop, POUR specialty coffee, where over 10 single-origin beans sourced worldwide are on display through its window—something I didn’t expect in an old town!
Feeling the urge to learn more about it, I stepped into the coffee shop, and the owner greeted me with a friendly smile. He was born and raised in Onomichi and moved to Osaka for a few years; upon his return, he decided to “open a coffee shop here to live a fulfilling life.” Seating is limited there, but I have a great time conversing with him and tasting the Ethiopian coffee with hints like muscat and blueberry.
WEEKENDERS COFFEE Tominokoji
If, after a few days, you need a break from the hustle and bustle of Osaka and want to experience something completely different, it’s easy enough to take a train to Kyoto. In less than half an hour, you’ll be surrounded by historic temples, shrines, and traditional wooden townhouses (also known as machiya), where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of Japanese architecture and design.
While Osaka has a multitude of coffee gems, the specialty-coffee scene in Kyoto is equally worth your attention. One of my go-to spots is WEEKENDERS COFFEE, hidden inside a parking lot behind the Nishiki Market, which is a favorite amongst tourists. The menu is simple with a focus on pourover coffee, showcasing the flavor profile of each bean, roasted in-house. With very limited seating, many just stand as they drink the meticulously brewed coffee.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jodee Fok is a social policy writer and researcher by day and an art and coffee enthusiast all the time. She is a curious learner with a passion for social causes such as sustainability and farmers’ welfare. Whether it’s making a great pour-over coffee, checking out a local café, or reading anything coffee-related, those little moments brighten up her day.
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