Yamau Coffee Stand — A long-established kamaboko shop turned into a takeout-only coffee shop serving delicious lattes

In the heart of Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical Area, the long-established kamaboko (fish cake) shop “Yamau Kamaboko Shop” was founded in 1912.

The shop had a history of more than 100 years, but sadly closed in 2015, bringing its long history to an end.

However, Yamau has been reborn as “Yamau Coffee Stand (YAMAU coffee stand),” a takeaway-only coffee shop that has inherited the premises and shop name from the days when it was a kamaboko shop.

Here, we introduce Yamau Coffee Stand, where the history of a long-established shop coexists with the new culture of coffee stands.

A long-established kamaboko shop is reborn as a coffee stand

Yamau Coffee Stand opened in 2016.

The place where Yamau Coffee Stand is now was originally home to a long-established kamaboko shop called “Yamau Kamaboko Shop.”

Yamau Kamaboko Shop was a long-established business founded in the Meiji era.

People who have known the Bikan Historical Area for a long time may remember Yamau Kamaboko Shop.

In fact, Yamau Kamaboko Shop was run by the father of Yamau Coffee Stand’s owner, Bunta Okamoto.

Later, the owner’s older brother took over the kamaboko shop, but eventually decided to close it.

After the kamaboko shop closed, owner Okamoto opened Yamau Coffee Stand on the site.

Although the business has changed, it has kept the shop name “Yamau.”

▼Yamau Coffee Stand has been renovated from a traditional machiya townhouse, and still retains the atmosphere of a long-established shop.

▼The “Kamaboko” sign outside is one example.

▼Much of the interior remains as it was when it was a kamaboko shop.

▼Looking up at the ceiling, you can see that the old atmosphere has been preserved.

▼The floor is almost unchanged; they simply removed the covering that had been laid when it was a kamaboko shop.

Yamau Coffee Stand’s concept is “a little place to take a break”

Yamau Coffee Stand is not a coffee shop or cafe, but a “coffee stand.”

In other words, it is a coffee shop specializing in takeaway.

Yamau Coffee Stand’s concept is to be a “little place to take a break” while sightseeing or out and about.

When you’re walking around town and get a little thirsty, buy a coffee at Yamau Coffee Stand and enjoy it as you stroll around.

▼There are no seats inside, but there is a bench where you can sit down for a bit and enjoy your coffee.

Please note that only espresso is not available for takeaway, so enjoy it on the bench inside.

Yamau Coffee Stand is a takeaway shop known for its delicious lattes

Yamau Coffee Stand is a takeaway-only coffee shop.

So, the menu consists only of drinks.

Yamau Coffee Stand menu

▼Here is the Yamau Coffee Stand menu. All prices include consumption tax.

Yamau Coffee Stand is a coffee shop centered around lattes.

It also offers coffees other than lattes, such as espresso and Americano, but owner Okamoto himself loves lattes, so he puts a lot of effort into them.

For that reason, they do not serve drip coffee.

▼A large espresso machine was set up on the counter.

Lattes are made using espresso extracted under pressure with a dedicated machine (an espresso machine).

The most popular item is the signature latte

The most popular item is the “latte,” Yamau Coffee Stand’s signature drink.

Latte art is a hallmark of lattes, and the lattes served at Yamau Coffee Stand are decorated with latte art too.

Owner Okamoto says, “Yamau Coffee Stand is a place where you can enjoy delicious lattes.”

Be sure to try their signature latte.

Cafe mocha made with Hershey’s chocolate syrup

This is Yamau Coffee Stand’s cafe mocha.

A cafe mocha is a latte with chocolate syrup added.

Yamau Coffee Stand’s cafe mocha is made with Hershey’s chocolate syrup.

Hershey’s is also famous for its chocolate ice cream.

Matcha latte, popular with young people

Among the non-coffee drinks, the “matcha latte” is popular.

It is especially popular with young people, including high school students, and with women.

▼ Iced matcha lattes are also popular in summer.

It was originally a product for people who didn’t like coffee, but now it is the most popular item after lattes.

The cups featuring the kamaboko shop’s old crest make a lasting impression

When you order at Yamau Coffee Stand, the coffee cups are wrapped in paper featuring the crest of Yamau Kamaboko Shop.

They have carried on not only the shop name but also its historic crest.

It’s the kind of thing that stays with you after just one look.

People who knew Yamau back when it was a kamaboko shop may also feel a sense of nostalgia.

Incidentally, this crest was created by combining the initial “U” of the name of Usata Okamoto, founder of Yamau Kamaboko Shop and great-grandfather of owner Okamoto, with the shape of a mountain as a symbol of good fortune.

The shop name “Yamau” also comes from this crest.

We took a stroll around the Bikan Historical Area with Yamau coffee in hand!

Yamau Coffee Stand’s concept is to take coffee to go and stroll around town.

We asked model Riru to order a latte at Yamau Coffee Stand and take a stroll around the Bikan Historical Area.

When you visit the Bikan Historical Area, why not stop by Yamau Coffee Stand, get a coffee to go, and stroll around Kurashiki while savoring it?

YAMAU coffee stand Information

Name	YAMAU coffee stand
Address	5-4 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
Contact	None
Parking	None
Business hours	March–November: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. December–February: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. *May also open in the evening when there is a nighttime event in the Bikan Historical Area
Regular closing days	Irregular
Payment methods	Cash Credit cards Suica and other transit IC cards, iD, and QUICPay
Reservations	Not accepted
Seating	As this is a takeout shop, there is no seating. There are three benches.
Smoking	Completely non-smoking
Website	YAMAU coffee stand Official Instagram

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