With its beautiful streets lined with white-walled buildings, “Bikan Historical Area” is one of Kurashiki City’s signature tourist attractions.
The streets along the Kurashiki River never fail to captivate visitors. In one corner of the Bikan Historical Area, the “Kurashiki Coffee-kan” catches the eye with its retro sign and vivid vermilion gate.
What kind of place is this specialty shop for house-roasted coffee, founded in 1971? We visited to learn about its dedication to coffee, including its recommended menu items and the roasting machine it has used since opening.
The information presented here was current when this article was published in January 2025. Please note that it may differ from the current information.
A thoughtfully designed interior
The interior, unchanged since the shop opened, was designed by architect Urabe Shizutaro, who also designed places such as Kurashiki Kokusai Hotel. The interior is enveloped in a retro atmosphere created by red brick and wood.
The words “DOING NOTHING IS DOING ALL” are written on a ceiling beam. They were coined by Urabe and cannot be translated literally.
The phrase it was based on is the English proverb
“DOING NOTHING IS DOING ILL” (To take no action is a sin).
However, as this could not be confirmed in any references, it is included here as background information.
The floor tiles are made in Italy and have been there since the shop opened.
The antiques on the counter further enhance the atmosphere of the shop.
Coffee made with care
Kurashiki Coffee-kan is a specialty shop for house-roasted coffee.
Its menu includes light meals, sweets, fruit juice, and various kinds of coffee, but not espresso, which is extracted under pressure.
Coffee is brewed with care using “flannel drip,” which uses a cloth filter. The menu also offers “cold-brew coffee.”
Wanting to try the carefully crafted coffee, I decided to sample the most popular item, “Queen of Amber,” and the “Viennese Coffee.” When I ordered, staff advised me to “drink the coffee without stirring it, so you can enjoy how the flavor changes.”
Queen of Amber
“Queen of Amber” is a cold coffee drink containing liqueur (alcohol), but I could feel a gentle warmth.
First, the rich sweetness of the milk spreads through your mouth, followed by the full-bodied cold-brew coffee, flavored with honey and liqueur. Perhaps because it is served cold, the liqueur comes through strongly, making the drink even more flavorful.
Viennese Coffee
This is a rich, hot coffee topped with thick fresh cream.
When I tried it, I was first surprised by how rich the cream was. As I enjoyed its pleasantly mild sweetness, the slightly bitter coffee followed, spreading through my mouth. Combined with the rich cream, the sweetness and bitterness spread across my palate in perfect balance.
After that, as the cream melted into the coffee and the sweetness began to mellow, the coffee at the bottom, infused with coarse sugar, brought the flavor back into focus.
Both coffees offer several layers of flavor when you “drink them without stirring.”
On another day, I also tried the classic “Today’s Single-Origin Coffee.” The beans that day were “SANTOS,” and the coffee was smooth and easy to drink.
A carefully chosen roasting machine
Only the manager does the roasting, using the same machine that has been in use since the shop opened. During our visit, we were given a special opportunity to watch the roasting process.
They use an antique direct-fire roasting machine passed down since the shop opened. Its design also looks a little like a “piggy,” which is cute.
Roasting takes about 20 minutes, and the manager stays by the machine throughout to manage the temperature and adjust the airflow.
The roasting machine’s thermometer is analog, adding to its retro feel.
The roaster as a whole.
The coffee beans seem to be starting to take on a nice color as they roast. We were told that the final judgment is made by listening for sounds like popping. Since the process varies with the day’s temperature and humidity, it is, after all, a task where experience makes all the difference.
While the roasted coffee beans cool, the next batch is roasted. Once cooled, the beans are sorted to select only the finest ones, then left to rest for about three days so their flavor can settle.
We asked Kurashiki Coffee-kan manager Matsuo Naoki about his thoughts on coffee.
Kurashiki Coffee-kan Information
| Name | Kurashiki Coffee-kan |
|---|---|
| Address | 4-1 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-424-5516 |
| Parking | None There is no dedicated parking. Please use a nearby paid parking lot. |
| Hours | 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Closed | None |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Seating | 40 seats |
| Smoking | Non-smoking (smoking permitted only in designated areas) |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Kurashiki Coffee-kan |
What would you like to know about Kurashiki?
Enter a word to search articles on this site
