When you visit a tourist spot, don't you sometimes feel like "I'm tired from walking and want to take a little break"?
If there’s delicious coffee and snacks available, it would make for the best memories, right?
The Bikan Historical Area in Kurashiki also has many wonderful cafes and tea houses, making it a fun place for cafe hopping.
"kobacoffee" is a tea house where you can choose not only the type of beans but also the brewing method.
Depending on your mood for the day, you can enjoy three types of brewing methods: paper drip, siphon, and French press.
With carefully selected special sweets by the owner, we introduce you to "kobacoffee," where you can casually and enjoyably experience the depth of coffee.
A hidden cafe "kobacoffee" at the back of Kurashiki Teien
Located along the Kurashiki River in the main area of the Bikan Historical Area is "Kurashiki Teien."
Opened in 2014, Kurashiki Teien is a complex facility renovated from a traditional town house.
It has a long, narrow structure like a row house, and besides kobacoffee, it houses the following two stores.
In fact, kobacoffee in Kurashiki Teien is the second store (the current first store operates as Coffee House Furatto).
It seems that when Kurashiki Teien was being built, the architect invited them to open a store there.
The name "kobacoffee" is said to be derived from the nickname of the owner, Kobayashi Kyoichi.
After serving as a manager and roaster at "Kurashiki Coffee House" in the Bikan Historical Area for nine years, Kobayashi opened the first kobacoffee store.
"I actually wanted to name it Kobayashi Coffee Shop," Kobayashi said.
It seems that he was advised against it by friends, saying it was too old-fashioned.
Now, let’s proceed down the corridor with Café Biscuit on the left.
The kobacoffee sign is your landmark.
At the entrance, an antique roasting machine welcomes you. It has a great atmosphere.
The interior of kobacoffee filled with warmth from wood. The courtyard is lovely too
The interior of kobacoffee is more spacious than you might imagine, filled with the warmth of wood.
There is a piano in one corner of the shop, and anyone is welcome to play it.
In fact, a girl who was affected by the disaster in Mabi came to practice there.
Looking up at the ceiling, you can see the impressive beams that remind you of its days as an old folk house.
By the way, the second floor can be used as a free space (reservation required).
The author has also used it for photo shoots a couple of times.
Looking down at the interior from the second floor.
From this perspective, it seems quite high.
Around the counter, there are various brewing tools that look like science experiment equipment, such as cold brew coffee and siphon.
House-roasted coffee beans.
There is a warehouse and roasting room near the Ohara Museum of Art, where Kobayashi roasts the beans.
It is said to be both challenging and enjoyable to roast them to your preferred taste.
From the large windows, you can see a lovely courtyard that soothes the heart.
Enjoy the deliciousness of drip, siphon, and French press
At kobacoffee, you can choose not only the type of coffee beans but also the "brewing method" according to your preference.
"On that day, feel free to enjoy coffee"
Kobayashi says.
Depending on the brewing method, the taste and flavor of the coffee can change completely.
The brewing methods are paper drip, French press, and siphon.
French press is often used for tea, but it was originally a tool for extracting coffee.
Even with the same beans, changing the brewing equipment allows you to enjoy various flavor changes.
- Paper drip: smooth and refreshing taste
- Siphon: a slightly stimulating taste with bitterness and acidity felt in the front and back of the mouth
- French press: a rich aftertaste that lingers on the tongue and throat
The most popular drink is the "Kurashiki Blend."
One cup is 550 yen (tax included), and the second cup is 350 yen (tax included).
All other straight coffees are also 550 yen (tax included), and the varieties are as follows:
- Kilimanjaro
- Mocha Matari
- Mandheling
- Guatemala
- Brazil San Marino
- Colombia
- Decaffeinated
- Iced coffee
- Iced café au lait - 600 yen (tax included)
An adult coffee combining cold brew coffee with alcohol or sweetness, "Shikkoku no Shizuku" is 850 yen (tax included).
There is also a coffee menu with photos.
A cappuccino with chocolate latte and a cinnamon stick. It looks luxurious and delicious.
The recommended coffee soda by the author.
The bitterness of the coffee and the carbonation are a perfect match, making it a recommended item for summer.
The menu is as follows.
- Coffee Float
- Coffee Soda
- Lemon Coffee (HOT/ICE)
- Irish Coffee
- Cappuccino
- ICE Cocoa
- ICE Matcha Latte
- Lemonade (HOT/ICE)
- Lemon Squash (with or without ice)
- Caramel Latte
- Matcha Latte
- Matcha
- Chocolate Latte
- Colorful Jelly Soda (with or without ice)
- Cream Soda
Cream soda is also popular.
It seems they are promoting "oshi-katsu," which supports your favorite idols and characters.
Oshi-katsu at Koba Coffee is...
- Choose your favorite color from the eight available cream sodas that match your favorite image color.
- Take a photo with your cream soda along with any goods you brought, such as photos or dolls.
The sweets menu is also substantial.
It seems they often request items based on connections from acquaintances or events.
Rich flavor Kurashiki blend. Cute vessels
Enjoy it with special sweets and a lovely coffee cup.
All the cute coffee cups are one-of-a-kind.
You can enjoy works from four artists that Kobayashi-san likes.
I will have the strong "Kurashiki Blend" brewed with a paper drip.
The fragrant aroma of the bitter coffee and its rich, robust flavor.
The refreshing aftertaste after taking a sip is impressive.
I thought it would be nice to compare it with siphon and French press.
Chiffon cake and New York cheesecake
The chiffon cake is from "Bamboo Kitchen", a small bakery located in Kotobuki-cho, Kurashiki City.
The fluffy texture and rustic sweetness of the cake pair well with the Kurashiki Blend, making for a deeply delicious combination.
The rich and creamy New York cheesecake is also exquisite.
This cheesecake can only be enjoyed at Koba Coffee, not found anywhere else.
The summer-limited "Granita" is also recommended.
It is a three-layer dessert made of vanilla ice cream, coffee sorbet, and coffee jelly, with a rich coffee aroma.
Kurashiki souvenirs and Koba Coffee original products
I want to casually enjoy the deliciousness of coffee at home.
For those people, the drip-type coffee bags are recommended.
There are various brands available.
The best-selling item is "Kurashiki Coffee Mild".
The packaging is also Kurashiki-style, and many customers purchase it as a souvenir from the Bikan Historical Area.
I thought the blown glass from Gurasta TOMO was wonderful.
It seems like it would make your usual water feel special.
It is also sold inside Koba Coffee.
A lovely glass that you would want as a souvenir.
For a more relaxed experience, the second floor seating is recommended
A new second floor seating area was established in April 2021.
The second floor has a completely different atmosphere from the first floor.
There are five hanging chairs for one person, based on white and red.
It is a 90-minute reservation system, so there is no need to worry about rushing out.
The chairs give a feeling of being wrapped up as they sway gently, making them very comfortable.
The charge for one seat is 500 yen, but if you follow Koba Coffee's official Instagram, it becomes free!
A café where you can casually enjoy authentic coffee. Recommended for exploring the Bikan Historical Area
In the warm atmosphere of the shop, you can enjoy a relaxing time at kobacoffee.
One cup is not enough; I wanted to know more about coffee!
The sweets connected by human ties are also delicious and attractive.
It was very enjoyable to hear the stories behind each confection.
This is a recommended café where you can casually enjoy authentic roasted coffee.
While exploring the Bikan Historical Area, be sure to stop by Kobacoffee for a refreshing break.
Data of kobacoffee
| Name | kobacoffee |
|---|---|
| Address | 5-27 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-425-0050 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Regular Holiday | Tuesday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation | Available |
| Seats | 19 seats Counter: 3 Tables: 4 |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Website | kobacoffee - Self-roasted Coffee in Bikan Historical Area, Kurashiki |
