“What an old building,” I would think, looking up at Tsurugata Building whenever I passed by.
On the first floor of Tsurugata Building is “Kissa Tsurugata,” a coffee shop with a nostalgic atmosphere.
It opened in May 2019, inspired by the owner’s wish to “create a gentle space where people can relax and unwind.”
You could gaze forever at the records covering an entire wall, the tin toys, and the Showa-era appliances.
We recommend the tea, served in a cup of your choice, and the retro cream soda.
Here we introduce Kissa Tsurugata, founded in 2019, where you can enjoy a soothing, heartwarming taste of the Showa era.
The information presented here was current when this article was published in December 2019. Please note that it may differ from current information.
A Showa-era scene preserved in Kurashiki: Kissa Tsurugata on the first floor of Tsurugata Building
Kissa Tsurugata is a coffee shop on the first floor of Tsurugata Building.
This large building, with nine floors above ground and shops such as clothing stores on the first and second floors, is about 50 years old and a valuable structure that evokes the Showa era.
There’s also a sign for Kissa Tsurugata.
There’s a large directory at the building entrance, too.
Kissa Tsurugata is the only restaurant in Tsurugata Building.
A directory for Tsurugata Building.
Apparently, the entire second floor used to be occupied by restaurants.
The entrance to Kissa Tsurugata comes into view, alongside the words “Showa Retro & Cream Soda.”
A surprise to discover when you visit? A quick look at a few items in this retro shop!
At the owner’s request that “we want you to treasure the surprise and delight of visiting the shop,”
we have not photographed the entire shop or its exterior.
You’ll have to visit to discover what kind of place it is.
The owner’s collection of tin toys and Showa-era appliances is on display.
The shop used to be a boutique, and apparently the owner renovated the entire interior himself.
A life-size Nipper the dog.
Seeing it in person, you’ll be surprised by how much bigger it is than you imagined.
The owner’s collection, along with the many records inherited from his mother.
You can make requests, too.
Apparently, one 80-year-old woman once requested, “Could you play the Bay City Rollers?”
There are also lots of nostalgic picture books, such as “The Little Cat” and “My First Errand.”
The clientele tends to be a little older, but it seems like a place that young children would enjoy, too.
The counter is lined with teas carefully selected by the owner.
There are various cups to choose from, too.
Choose from delicate teacups to chunky mugs, depending on your drink or mood.
Exhibitions and sales of Bizen ware, glass art, and accessories
Works by Bizen ware artist Taniyoshi Takayuki are exhibited and sold in one corner of the shop.
In October 2019, an exhibition of Taniyoshi Takayuki’s pottery was held at Kissa Tsurugata.
Bizen ware is simple, practical, and beautiful.
The exhibition seems to have been a great success, with some customers returning several times.
Apparently, some people even came back to buy the same item again, saying, “My child took it home (to our house)…”
Some of Tanikichi’s works are also among the cups customers can choose from.
They’re easy to enjoy, so I recommend giving them a try.
The counter displays works by Ayaka Taniguchi, a glass artist from Okayama.
While working at the Fairywood Glass Museum in Kagamino-cho, Okayama Prefecture, Taniguchi is also actively pursuing her career as an artist.
These lovely works are delicate, with beautiful shifts of light.
Of course, these glass pieces are also for sale.
This necklace is made with flower petals set in resin.
Apparently, it was handmade by a customer.
A menu full of fun surprises! Kissa Tsurugata’s menu
Kissa Tsurugata’s menu is fun to look at and a delight to open.
The recommendation is apparently the black tea.
There’s apple, Darjeeling, Assam, Takahashi black tea, and then there’s the intriguing mystery tea of the day—what is that?!
The selection includes decaffeinated black tea, royal milk tea, and even the unusual Russian tea.
There are sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, and a daily lunch without rice, which comes with a drink for just ¥770 (tax included)!
Kissa Tsurugata’s menu is the kind that makes you happy as you turn the pages.
Come by the shop and discover the secret for yourself.
What will you get? Mystery tea and a club sandwich
First, I’ll try the recommended clubhouse sandwich.
The bread is thoroughly toasted, making for a fragrant, crispy bite.
Packed with egg, pizza sauce, ham, and cheese, it has a pleasantly nostalgic flavor.
To go with the clubhouse sandwich, I’ll have the master’s proudly served mystery tea, carefully brewed just for me.
It has a slightly sweet-and-sour aroma…
“Apple? Peach?” I spend a while trying to guess, before checking my answer with the master.
The answer was apricot tea.
Fruity and easy to drink, its refreshing aroma is unmistakably apricot!
The “mystery” comes from not knowing what flavor you’ll get.
The flavor changes daily, so you can enjoy it every day.
By the way, do you know why there’s a red knit hat on the table?
It’s being used as a tea cozy (or teapot cover).
A tea cozy is a cover made to keep the tea in a pot from getting cold.
Apparently, after looking for something that would suit the small shop, they settled on a child’s hat. It’s a great idea for keeping the tea warm.
Homemade cake sets and a cute, retro cream soda
Next, I’ll have a cake set (¥250 extra with a drink) with coffee.
The hat tea cozy is doing a great job.
A blend coffee served in Bizen ware comes with the master’s homemade cheesecake.
The cheesecake is moist and fluffy, with a gentle sweetness.
It goes perfectly with coffee.
Cake sets are available with two or three kinds, including gateau chocolat and pound cake.
All the cakes, which have a simple charm that makes you feel happy, are handmade by the master.
The best thing about Bizen ware is its excellent heat retention.
I was amazed that the coffee stayed piping hot the whole time, even though the photo shoot took a while.
And then there’s the shop’s signature menu item, the cream soda.
Enjoying a cream soda in the shop, with Showa-era pop songs playing, gave me a nostalgic feeling, as if I had traveled back in time.
“Kissa Tsurugata,” a welcoming place that walks alongside the people of this town
The master says that when he was a child, he once had a cream soda on the second floor of Tsurugata Building.
Back then, Tsurugata Building was at the cutting edge of the times and a favorite family outing spot.
The cream soda, a taste filled with memories, has made a comeback across the generations.
At “Kissa Tsurugata,” nostalgic melodies accompany blissful moments spent savoring tea at a leisurely pace.
It’s also fun to ask the master, who was born and raised in Kurashiki, for recommendations around Kurashiki.
What would you like to know about Kurashiki?
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