So I’ve been on this new coffee kick for a bit now, and one of the things I’m trying to do is drink coffee from as many different cafes here in Japan as I can. In particular, I’ve been trying to go to local/specialty roasters in my area, and I thought it would be nice to document these experiences, both as a means to keep me writing a bit more consistently and because it might be interesting for others to read a bit more about the cafes that Kansai has to offer.
Let’s begin with a local standout: Kuuhaku Coffee.
Kuuhaku first opened in late 2021, and has quickly become a well-known and loved coffee hub, both in its hometown Himeji and throughout parts of Hyogo prefecture, if not further. Even in my countryside corner of Hyogo, the local coffee enthusiasts not only know of Kuuhaku, but all speak incredibly highly of it. This is likely due to the quality of the coffee that it serves, as well as the pourover and syphon coffee workshops it hosts on a regular basis. So although chronologically Kuuhaku isn’t the very first local roaster I’ve visited, it is a fitting one to start this series with, given the impact it has had in just two years.
The roastery itself is in a great place. It’s located on a side street just down the road from Himeji Castle, and is maybe a ten minute walk from JR Himeji Station. The cafe space is also stylish and clean, with furniture that mixes natural materials such as wood and metal. The decor, which mostly consists of dried flowers and origami animals placed carefully throughout, adds a unique organic contrast to the sharpness of the concrete walls. Walking inside, I could immediately imagine it as a meeting point for a group of friends or as a cosy third place for an individual looking for some down time.
As for its menu, Kuuhaku’s offerings are surprisingly extensive. Overall, I was impressed with the number and variety of drinks; it felt like the largest selection I had seen in a while, and there were some really unique options.
The menu mostly centres on the syphon coffee that Kuuhaku is known for, with a few “labels” to choose from, and several espresso-based drinks such as the classic latte, an espresso tonic, affogato and more. They also have a series of drinks based on cascara, or coffee cherry tea. As someone who drank almost exclusively tea when going to cafes until quite recently, the cascara drinks immediately sparked my interest. I unfortunately didn’t get to try them, but it gives me all the more reason to go back soon.
Now for what I did have: a latte.
I’ll be honest, I went to Kuuhaku fully intending to try a syphon coffee. But lattes are a rare treat for me in Japan. I’m lactose-intolerant and dairy alternatives are not nearly as prevalent here as they are in other parts of the world, especially when it comes to smaller, locally-run cafes like this. So when I saw that Kuuhaku offers oat milk as a dairy substitute, I had to go for it. Part of me wishes I had ordered the syphon coffee, but this was a rare opportunity, and it’s another reason to go back.
That’s not to say that I regret getting a latte, because I absolutely do not. It was amazing.
The coffee was quite nice and felt like it distinctly came out throughout the drink. I sometimes find that the milk in a latte can be overpowering, and I want more coffee flavour in there, but that was absolutely not the case here. The oat milk added a creamy taste and texture and felt like it balanced well with the coffee, which had a slightly acidic richness that made me think of dark chocolate. It felt very much like a comfort drink, so much so that I ended up buying a bag of the coffee beans to take home.
As I was buying the coffee beans (Ethiopian, natural processed), the barista gave me a rundown of the coffee profile and careful instructions for both espresso and pour-over. He was incredibly friendly and informative to not only me, but to the other people who were there at the time too. This included several patrons of the cafe (Japanese and foreign), as well as a small group of tourists that seemed to be on a food/drink tour of some sort. He took the time to chat with everyone and answer any questions they had. His passion and knowledge about coffee really came through in these moments with the customers, and the atmosphere of the cafe felt all the more welcoming because of this.
To wrap up my thoughts on Kuuhaku Coffee, the aesthetic space, considerable menu, delicious drinks and kind staff all made for an excellent first impression. It is clear to see why this roastery has had such a positive trajectory, and just the fact that the cafe made it as a stop on a tour speaks volumes about the impact it has had in the two years it has been in business. As I’ve said a couple of times already, I do hope to visit the cafe again in the near future. Until then, I’m looking forward to trying out the beans that I brought back with me ( maybe in the future I’ll write about that as well).
Kuuhaku Coffee is located in Himeji, Hyogo. Check out their Instagram and their online shop for more information.