Coffee Mostro is a specialty coffee shop that opened in Mabi in November 2024.
A large roaster is installed at the back of the shop, and the counter is lined with a variety of coffee beans roasted by the owner. The shop also has a playful atmosphere, with retro toys and capsule toy machines that bring out your inner child.
Here’s a look at Coffee Mostro, which aims to be a place where people can get advice about relocating, as well as enjoy coffee.
The information presented here was accurate when this article was published in May 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About Coffee Mostro
Coffee Mostro is a coffee shop that opened in Arai, Mabi, in November 2024.
In addition to buying coffee beans roasted by owner Akazawa Norihiko, visitors can enjoy drinks and sweets in the shop.
What inspired its opening
Akazawa had practiced sumo since he was a student, and moved to Tokyo for a job after being invited by a company that was starting a sumo club. He reportedly became the East Japan champion as a member of the corporate team.
He continued working there even after the sumo club disbanded, but had always wanted to return to Okayama.
In January 2022, when the timing of a transfer came around, he decided that it was time to quit.
Since he loved coffee, he talked to his wife about opening a coffee shop.
Encouraged by his wife, who said, “It’s nice for both of us to do what we love,” he quit on impulse and began preparing to open the shop.
While studying on his own, he met Horiguchi Toshihide, who runs the Horiguchi Coffee Research Institute in Tokyo.
Akazawa went to ask Horiguchi, “I want to run a coffee shop in Okayama. I’m an amateur—do you think I can do it?”
Horiguchi advised him, “You can. First, learn to taste coffee. But you also need to develop the ability to judge the quality of coffee beans, the raw ingredient. To do that, come here for two years.” Akazawa attended for two and a half years.
By tasting all kinds of coffee each time, he developed the skill to judge the quality of green coffee beans.
The shop’s atmosphere
Coffee Mostro has three tables and six counter seats by the window, for a total of nine seats, creating a spacious, relaxing atmosphere.
Retro toys and decorations are displayed around the kitchen, while a capsule toy machine filled with character stickers sits by the register.
The capsule toy machine gives out a coffee ticket if you win, so people of all ages, from children to adults, enjoy playing it.
Coffee Mostro’s menu
Here’s a look at Coffee Mostro’s menu.
Coffee Mostro mainly serves dark-roasted coffee.
Menu and tax-inclusive prices as of May 2025
Dark roasts are often quite bitter, but Coffee Mostro’s dark roasts are pleasantly bitter with little harshness, making them smooth and easy to drink. They are also aromatic and enjoyable to the last sip.
There are also sweets handmade by Akazawa to enjoy with your coffee.
During our visit, we tried the limited-time matcha cheesecake.
It is a moist, dense cheesecake, with the aroma of matcha spreading through your mouth. It is not too sweet and pairs perfectly with coffee.
The matcha cheesecake was available for a limited time through May 6, 2025
The regular menu also includes plain cheesecake and Italian pudding with a firm texture, making it hard to choose.
About the character
One striking feature of Coffee Mostro is the character that appears on its exterior and packaging.
The shop was named after mostro, the Italian word for monster, so the character was named “Mosbo.”
Akazawa sketched a character that would feel approachable to customers, with a retro American look and an appearance that immediately identifies it as a coffee shop character. An illustrator then finished the design.
The Mosbo character on the coffee bean packages displayed at the shop changes color from one package to another. The colors are matched to the flags of the countries where the coffee beans are grown, reflecting Akazawa’s desire to delight his customers.
We spoke with Coffee Mostro owner Akazawa about his ideas and the care he puts into his work, as he continues to take on a variety of challenges while running a specialty coffee shop.
Coffee Mostro Information
| Name | Coffee Mostro |
|---|---|
| Address | 69-10 Arii, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, Hikari Building, 1st Floor |
| Contact | 086-441-2031 |
| Parking | Available |
| Business hours | 10:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Monday, Tuesday |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Seating | 9 seats: 3 table seats, 6 counter seats |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Coffee Mostro (Instagram) |
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