Coffee Culture: Osaka, Japan
As I write these words, it hits me that my time in Osaka was comprised by a lot of random coffee finds; usually on the way somewhere, running to meet a friend or wandering around a new neighbourhood.
Exploring this city on foot is the best way to unlock, not only its coffee joints but its unique vibe. Osaka doesn’t have Tokyo’s frenetic pace, but when it comes to new cafés popping up all over the city, it certainly rivals the capital. Moreover, each café provides a great environment with a well-thought-out design that allows for getting some work done, read a book, catch up with friends, or to relax. So, in no particular order, here are my favourite places in the city.
Brooklyn Roasting Company
BRC, as the locals call it, is likely to be the most known coffee place in Osaka. It has two branches; Kitahama is a relaxed space with a flower shop at the entrance, wooden decor and an outdoor terrace with river views. The Namba branch, under the arches of the station, while equally relaxed, is far bigger and friendlier to work from.
Both branches serve drip coffee and all sorts of milk-based coffee – mochas, lattes, flat whites, cappuccinos. Because BRC sources all its coffee beans from the world’s most renowned regions, there’s continuously a fresh coffee aroma in the air.
2-1-16 Kitahama Chuo-ku Osaka Osaka
1-1-21 Shikitsuhigashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka
Granknot Coffee
This place was a last-minute find during a rainy day stroll through Orange Street, and as luck would have it – although perhaps it’s not luck but the Japanese dedication to a craft – the coffee was one of the best I’ve had in Osaka.
The place follows most of the same model of Japanese cafés; small at the front with a long counter that opens to a bigger seating area at the back. The mix of concrete surfaces with the softness of wood countertops and tables creates an atmosphere reminiscent of the cool industrial coffee joins you could find in Brooklyn or London.
On offer, there are hand drip, espresso, milk coffee, which again doesn’t stray much from the usual offer. But the care in crafting the brews is outstanding – you won’t be served quickly – which is why Granknot Coffee stands apart from the competition.
1-23-4 Kitahorie, Nishi Ward, Osaka
Auck’s Coffee
Auck’s was another random find, on a day I deviated from the usual route home. The café is the first in Japan to partner with a New Zealand coffee roaster – in this case, eighthirty coffee roasters – and showcase the Kiwi coffee scene.
With whitewashed walls, wooden tables, some greenery and a lovely smell of fresh coffee in the air, Auck’s (which is the abbreviation of Auckland) is a comfortable place to enjoy a hit of caffeine before starting the day. I recommend a soy flat white!
2-19 Honmachibashi, Chuo Ward
Haiku Coffee Roasters
Yet another coffee find on the way to somewhere, Haiku Coffee is nestled in a small alley behind Nakazakichō station run by wife and husband duo, Kari and Kazu.
As I walked through the doors, Kazu was roasting beans, carefully and slowly, filling up space it the cosy smell of fresh coffee. I sat at the counter and ordered an almond milk café au lait and started chatting with Kari about coffee, living in Japan as an expat (she’s from Hawaii) and the neighbourhood.
The coffee is superb, and Kazu and Kari’s enthusiasm for coffee and friendliness makes it worth paying a visit.
2-3−3 Kita, Kita Ward, Kurosakicho
Pathfinder xNobu
Slick and cool are the words I jotted down on my notebook to describe Pathfinder. The café is the brainchild of Shimoyama Nobumasa, the two-time latte art world champion, who for years worked in the Melbourne’s coffee scene.
The endeavour is not only selling coffee, however, but creating a barista school as well. On one of my visits, I witnessed Shimoyama getting into a deep and lengthy conversation – in Japanese – with one of the patrons about coffee, the tools, and the differences in roasting processes. On the menu, there are espresso, hand drip, flat whites and other milk-based coffee. To my surprise, they also have soy milk and are still capable of serving exquisite latte art with it. All of the original blends use high-grade Arabica from Ethiopia and Kenya.
1−6−9 プラムガーデン 1F, Ukida, Kita Ward
Other cool cafés:
Bird Coffee
Moto Coffee
Mill Pour Coffee
Mel Coffee Roasters
LiLo Coffee Roasters
School Bus Coffee Stop
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