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was featured in the New York Times article "52 Cities to Visit in 2023" as a city with many cozy coffee shops
While modern cafes are on the rise in big cities and traditional coffee shops are becoming less common, Morioka City is home to many coffee shops with a retro atmosphere that will make you feel as if you've stepped back into the Showa era.
In this article, we will introduce some coffee shops that will particularly evoke memories of the good old Showa era
Located in front of the station, a three-minute walk from the east exit of Morioka Station, this coffee shop has been in business since 1982 (Showa 57), just before the Tohoku Shinkansen opened, and is marked by a large espresso pot
This pot on display in front of the store was created to make it easy to identify that this is a coffee shop that serves espresso
Inside the store, there is a striking manual Italian espresso machine that was in use until 1998
The shop's signature menu items are the "Cappuccino" and the distinctive "Espresso."
Other items worth trying include the four types of hot sandwiches that have been popular since the cafe opened, as well as gratin and doria made with homemade white sauce, and chocolate banana toast, which goes perfectly with espresso
Cappuccino Shiki <Information>
Store name: Cappuccino Shiki
Address: 10-6 Morioka Ekimae-dori, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
Phone number: 019-625-3608
Business hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9:00-21:00, Sunday 9:00-20:00
It opened in 1971 (Showa 46) as a tea specialty store in Uchimaru, a government district close to Castle Ruins Park and Sakurayama Shrine
With its retro Showa era exterior and elegant, classical interior with stylish furnishings, the restaurant has been loved by Morioka residents since its founding, and is a relaxing place for people of all ages and genders
When it comes to Liebe, the recommended product is black tea, and the stylish teacups enhance the aroma and flavor of the tea
The daily lunch set comes with a plate of a different pasta dish, several sandwiches, and salad, and includes a drink , making it a great value for money, so much so that the restaurant is often full of office ladies from the government district at lunchtime.
Another popular item is the thick, hearty pizza toast
Tea House Liebe <Information>
Store name: Tea House Liebe
Address: 5-3 Uchimaru, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
Phone number: 019-651-1627
Business hours: Monday to Friday 7:30 to 19:00, Saturday 9:00 to 23:00, Sunday 11:00 to 19:00
is close to the Iwate Prefectural Government Office and Iwate Medical University, and is frequented by many staff members, professors, and students. It also serves as a gallery cafe with paintings on display, and is frequented by regular customers in the art world, including painters and poets.
The Nakanobashi-dori 1-chome area where the compass is located is called Fukude-cho, and restaurants such as Azumaya Wankosoba are located nearby
This used to be a popular coffee shop called Sextant, but it sadly closed in 2017
However, the current owner, a graduate of Iwate University who was a regular customer, took over the store and revived it as a compass, the same navigational tool, while keeping the atmosphere of the store the same
This tea specialty shop, located in the same Nakanobashi-dori 1-chome area as Compassin, is a two-story house with a warm, relaxing wooden interior, where you can relax in a bright space
There is a grand piano on the first floor, and live music is sometimes held there
Located a little ways off Sakanamachi Arcade, the shop was founded in 1953 (Showa 28) and is a two-story store converted from a storehouse, filled with stylish accessories
The soft lighting creates a calming atmosphere, and the retro tables and chairs create a chic space
In addition to coffee, we recommend the summer-only Ramune Float , so be sure to try it if you come to Morioka in the summer.
As for food, the popular item is the hayashi beef rice topped with the shop's original fluffy egg, and the three parfaits available - black (chocolate), red (strawberry), and green (matcha) - are both visually appealing and delicious
Fukakusa is a mysterious coffee shop located on the riverbank on the left hand side after crossing Nakano Bridge over the Nakatsu River from Morioka Castle Ruins Park. It is covered in green ivy and its appearance changes with the seasons, and its atmosphere also changes depending on the time of day
The interior of the store is made of warm wood and is filled with retro accessories, and there is also a relaxing private room-style space and terrace seating where you can enjoy views of the Nakatsugawa River
The shop has a homey atmosphere, with regulars enjoying jam sessions on the piano and guitar inside
The current owners are the second generation son and his wife, and they are a lovely cafe that will warmly welcome you along with their adorable mascot, an Airedale terrier named Doc
Although it is a coffee shop, they also serve alcoholic drinks such as beer, whiskey, and special coffee shochu, as well as snacks, so some regulars seem to use it like a bar
Cafe Fukakusa ＜Information＞
Store name: Cafe Fukakusa
Address: 1-2 Konyacho, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
These coffee shops seem to be seen as places where older people occasionally visit to revel in nostalgia
However, among the young people of today's "Generation Z," there is a sensibility that sees the Showa era as rather new, and it is said that an increasing number of people are enjoying visiting these coffee shops
Why not visit this cafe for the younger generation to experience a new style, or for the senior generation to reminisce about their student days?
I'm a former Edokko man who loves Morioka and the six Tohoku prefectures, and I also love history, food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. I'll be introducing you to the interesting, delicious, and great things about Tohoku!
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