Coffee Culture: Any B&B + Coffee — Nara, Japan

Feb 5

Feb 5 Coffee Culture: Any B&B + Coffee — Nara, Japan

Rather than following the handful of people heading the direction of the park, I turned right and walked through Higashimuki shopping arcade in search of a soy latte. I did come for sightseeing, but coffee first!

Past the small cluster of back alleys and residential streets to the south of Kintetsu-Nara Station, Any B&B + Coffee is outside of the main tourist path, but for those looking for a good cup of coffee and some rest before (or after) facing the crowds and dodging cheeky deers it is worth the detour.

Owned by Yutaro and Chiharu, Any is not just a place offering speciality coffee but also a Bed & Breakfast. The couple relocated to Nara, from Melbourne, and decided to open a place where they could explore further their love for coffee and share it with the community.

The menu offers plenty of options, from Espresso and AeroPress to several types of milk-based drinks: latte, Choco Latte and Chai Latte. They also offer soy milk, which is still not a common thing in most places.

But what makes Any B&B + Coffee standout is the fact that Yutaro roasts his coffee beans from Africa, which gives the coffee a vibrant flavour profile.

The cherry on top is the attention to detail given what compliments the experience of having a coffee; the ceramics in which coffee is served are handmade by a Scottish artist based in Melbourne. The floor to ceiling windows allows plenty of light to come in and warm the space. At the same time, the sitting area, along the wooden bench, is comfortable and faces the counter inviting the patron and the barista to start a conversation.

In fact, I remember jotting down the words “peaceful” and “cosy” just before getting into a long discussion with Yutaro about design, coffee and veganism in Japan.