6 must-visit coffee shops in Kobe. Experience the retro atmosphere and culture of the city

*Prices include tax.

Coffee and coffee shop culture in Kobe

At the end of the Edo period, Kobe opened its port in 1868 (Keio 3). In the Meiji period, various goods from overseas began to enter the port city of Kobe. Coffee beans and the culture of drinking coffee were one of these. In order to create a delicious cup of coffee from the raw imported coffee beans, roasting techniques were refined, and coffee shops serving coffee were born.

Even today, Kobe is known as a "coffee town," with the headquarters of a major national coffee manufacturer located in the city and coffee shops that have been in business for a long time. The coffee shops also have a wide selection of menu items that go well with coffee, making them a delight for many people.

What do coffee shops mean to people in Kobe? When we asked coffee shop owners, we heard responses like, "It's a part of life. It's natural," and "It's a place of relaxation for people of all ages and genders." Coffee shops are so integrated into the daily life of Kobe, regardless of age. It seems that you can get a taste of the city's culture from just one cup of coffee.

Experience history at this long-loved, long-established coffee shop

Kobe was one of the first cities to have a coffee-drinking culture, and even today, historic coffee shops are dotted throughout the city. Enjoy Kobe's coffee shop culture at long-established coffee shops that continue to carry on the traditions of coffee brewing methods and the attention to detail they offer in their spaces.

"Japan's oldest coffee shop" that started importing Indian coffee during the Meiji period | Hokodo Coffee

Hokodo Kahi claims to be the "oldest coffee shop in Japan." Its roots date back about 190 years. Hokodo, a tea manufacturing and sales company in Kyoto, began importing Indian coffee beans to Kobe during the Meiji period along with exporting tea. In 1878 (Meiji 11), the company advertised coffee in a newspaper ad, and a picture from that time shows the company selling coffee beans alongside its tea store, which explains why it is said to be the "oldest."

The recommended item is the coffee brewed with beans ground in a stone mill, a reproduction of the style used in the Meiji period. Grinding the beans in a stone mill reduces the transfer of frictional heat, and the beans are more evenly sized, resulting in a well-balanced, refreshing taste with a good balance of bitterness and acidity. The most recommended food item is the thickly toasted Danish pastry, which is popular topped with 100% Tokachi-grown azuki bean paste and butter.

Hokodo Kahi

Originally a members-only coffee shop. Enjoy a luxurious time in a Western-style building decorated with antiques | Kitanozaka Nishimura Coffee Shop

Nishimura Coffee has been loved for over 70 years since it opened in 1948 (Showa 23). Of the 11 stores, Kitanozaka Nishimura Coffee is a special one. This elegant Western-style building with ivy entwined around its brick exterior was originally the founder's home. It opened in 1974 (Showa 49) as Japan's first members-only coffee shop. It was later opened to the public after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995 (Heisei 7). Today, many people enjoy that special feeling.

Nishimura Coffee's signature product is a blend of six different types of beans, each roasted separately. The spring water "Miyamizu," which is also used in Nada sake, brings out the flavor of the beans. This Kitanozaka store also offers menu items such as Irish coffee. You can enjoy a luxurious time in a space decorated with antiques while experiencing the high-quality hospitality that has been there since the members-only days.

Nishimura Coffee Shop on Kitanozaka

Hagiwara Coffee, a charcoal-roasted coffee shop that has been loved in the shopping district for over 60 years | Motomachi Santos

"Motomachi Santos" is a directly managed store of Hagiwara Coffee, which was founded in Kobe in 1928 (Showa 3) as a coffee bean roasting wholesaler and produces a deep richness and mellow flavor with its time-consuming "charcoal roasting". It is a long-established store that has been operating in Kobe's Motomachi shopping arcade since 1960 (Showa 35). The interior of the store remains the same as when it opened. The space, which has been loved for more than 60 years, is always bustling with regular customers and people in the middle of shopping.

The coffee, made from a blend of mainly Nibla and Honduras beans, has a strong, rich flavor. The fluffy pancakes are made by letting the dough rest for half a day to a day before baking on a hot plate once an order is placed. They also offer a full range of classic cafe menu items, including cakes, puddings, fruit mitsumame, sandwiches, and spaghetti. This is a place of relaxation in the shopping district that continues to maintain the same flavors and service.

Motomachi Santos

A new way to enjoy yourself. A unique new face of coffee shop

The new faces that are constantly appearing are all unique establishments that evoke the Kobe spirit of coffee and coffee shops. We will introduce you to coffee shops that have inherited history while also incorporating modern sensibilities, proposing new ways to enjoy coffee.

Immerse yourself in retro flavors in a nostalgic space | Motomachi Cafe

Motomachi Cafe is located in an alley about a 5-minute walk north from JR Motomachi Station. The cafe, which opened in 2009, has a nostalgic atmosphere with moss green chairs, a well-worn counter, and warm lighting. It is a cafe with a nostalgic atmosphere that is nestled in a building that is about 50 years old.

We taste three types of coffee, including dark roasted Brazilian coffee, in cups and saucers manufactured in the 1950s and 60s. Their unique shapes and colors match the atmosphere of the shop. We also serve our homemade custard pudding, which is smooth to the touch while still retaining just the right firmness. The bitter caramel adds a nice touch to this adult dessert. The bright green cream soda is also appealing in its slightly retro appearance.

Motomachi Cafe

The blue is striking! Modern and stylish, yet with a nostalgic feel | DORSIA

DORSIA, with its distinctive bright blue floor, opened in 2021 (Reiwa 3). The chairs and tables in the store were donated from the coffee shop Serina, which opened in the 1970s and sadly closed in 2021 (Reiwa 3). There is even a table with a game console inside, giving it a sense of the era. In addition, the logo and illustrations designed by artist Masanao Hirayama (HIMAA) scattered throughout the store are also distinctive, creating a unique worldview.

The menu is also rich and varied. "Dosia Blend Coffee" has a bitter taste, made with dark roasted beans. And the "Napolitan" served on a piping hot iron plate is a popular menu item, with pasta coated in a rich sauce. In addition, there is a wide range of snacks and sweets, including "cream soda" and "homemade pudding." You're sure to be satisfied at any time of the day!

DORSIA

The space and menu are inherited from a long-established store. We want to preserve the good old coffee shop as it is | Zimei Geum

The first thing you notice when you enter the shop is the fresh scent of flowers. At "Music Box," there are many flowers displayed in front of the shop and on the tables. Although it opened in 2022 (Reiwa 4), the space and menu of the coffee shop that has been loved in the same place for over 40 years has been inherited almost exactly as it was. It seems that the flower decorations are still the same as they were in the past.

The most popular item is the "Honey Toast" made from thickly sliced English bread. The perfectly toasted bread has a crispy texture and the gentle taste of the butter and honey is addictive. The "Cream Soda" is also recommended. The cream soda is made with seasonal fruit, a tradition inherited from the previous store. Apparently the current owner was originally a fan of the previous store, and his passion to preserve the good old coffee shop is evident throughout the store.

Self-playing lute

Kobe's coffee shops are all different. However, what is clear from the staff is their pride in having woven the coffee culture, and their respect for the history and space they have inherited. The comfort that surrounds visitors is born from this foundation. Whether it's a good old coffee shop or a new one, you'll find a taste that is uniquely Kobe when you open the door to any shop.

Related article

Eat your way around Kobe! Time-efficiency gourmet food you can only get here

If you're going on a trip, you'll want to try as many local specialties as possible. This time, we'll introduce Kobe, which has a wide variety of popular gourmet foods, including Western food, Chinese food, and Kobe beef. Let's go around trying the flavors of Kobe, from gourmet foods that can be eaten with one hand to easy-to-enjoy time-efficiency gourmet foods.

ontrip.jal.co.jp

Kobe Chinatown/Motomachi Food Walking Map 2023 Edition. 14 carefully selected gourmet restaurants!

OnTrip JAL has put together a list of recommended restaurants for food tours in Kobe Chinatown, one of the three largest Chinatowns in Japan, and the exotic Motomachi area. From dim sum such as baked xiaolongbao to sweets and drinks that look great on social media. Use this map to enjoy your food tour!

ontrip.jal.co.jp