Find Out What's Brewing at Kanazawa's Popular Coffee Shops
It makes sense that coffee shops have become an integral part of modern Kanazawa culture. The cold-season weather of Kanazawa is often cloudy or rainy, similar to the climate of other cities where coffee shops thrive, like Seattle. Coffee shops are also the sort of place where artistic types enjoy gathering, and Kanazawa's connection to the arts means there are many artisans living in our city. While you may undoubtedly stumble upon a cozy coffee shop while exploring Kanazawa, here are a few shops to get you started.
Curio
Speaking of Seattle, Curio owner Yuko Otoku and her husband Sol Gayago were former residents of this well-known coffee city in America before relocating to Kanazawa in 2014, making Curio one of the first of the new wave of coffee shops here. Many overseas visitors enjoy Curio as a place where they can order in English, and Yuko and Sol are more than happy to accept customized orders for the drinks they serve.
Curio is conveniently located in a renovated machiya house in Yasue-cho along the Kanazawa Omotesando street, close to Omicho Market. They are one of the few coffee shops serving breakfast and a great place to fuel up before a day of adventure in and around Kanazawa city.
Angolo Caffe
Just a short walk from Kanazawa Station, Angolo Caffe is modeled after a typical Italian cafe found on a street corner in a regular neighborhood, the type of place locals gather to chat and enjoy a cup of coffee to start their day. You'll surely feel that buzz here at Angolo, albeit housed in a renovated 130-year-old machiya house that gives it a distinctly Japanese flair. The "good bones" of the original machiya have been preserved here in the wooden structure, and a variety of plants and antique furniture complement the rustic feel of the interior.
Original blend coffee, espresso, and other refreshing drinks are available here, along with light fare such as croissant sandwiches and desserts.
Townsfolk Coffee
After gaining experience in the coffee business in Copenhagen and Tokyo, the owner of Townsfolk Coffee set his eyes on establishing a roastery here in Kanazawa. Thus, Townsfolk Coffee was born as a clean, well-lighted place, welcoming visitors with a wide variety of freshly roasted coffee from beans sourced from around the world.
The shop's concept is to be a place for true coffee connoisseurs, so the main focus is on the quality of the beans and roasting process. The interior was inspired by his time working in Denmark, with its simple and straightforward design allowing customers to focus on the coffee and their company. On a fine day, you might enjoy the sights and sounds of people enjoying Tamagawa Park across the street.
and KANAZAWA
Not a typo, "and KANAZAWA" is the name of this cute cafe that now occupies a renovated private house on a quiet side street of the Higashi Chaya district. To aid visitors in finding it, there are several shop signs in more heavily trafficked areas directing people to its general vicinity.
The two-story building was renovated into a single-story building with a high ceiling so customers can admire the roots of the historical building that is now the cafe. A cute pink theme runs through the decor, bringing a quirky modern touch to traditional Japanese decor, such as an iron teapot used in Japanese tea ceremony or a wagasa paper umbrella.
"and KANAZAWA" collaborates with other local businesses to provide food to complement their coffee. Along with their coffee drinks and espresso, you can sample Kanazawa Shokupan thick-sliced bread, with either pumpkin and walnut, or kinako, anko, and shiratama (roasted soybean powder and red bean paste with mochi balls, a traditional Japanese dessert). You might also try their delicious and social-media-ready Kinako Soft-serve ice cream using rich Noto milk from Ishikawa Prefecture.
These coffee shops are a few of the many shops in Kanazawa; you'll definitely discover more as you explore our city. Whether you fancy a cup of coffee to start your day, as a mid-day relaxation break, or as a chance to mingle with the local crowd, we hope you'll enjoy our unique and interesting coffee shops on your trip to Kanazawa.
