[Iwate Prefecture] 6 "Good Old Coffee Shops" that Trace Morioka's Coffee Shop Culture

To Morioka, the quiet city of coffee shops

While walking through the city of Morioka, just a short distance from the hustle and bustle in front of the station, you may come across a quiet coffee shop that exudes a sense of nostalgia. When you open the deep wooden door, the aroma of filter drip coffee wafts through the air, and you can see the master silently grinding coffee beans behind the counter. This space, which seems frozen in the Showa era, offers a special sense of peace to both travelers and locals.

Why does Morioka still have so many of these "good old coffee shops"? The reason lies in its history, which is deeply connected to the northern climate, culture, literature, and art.

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The origins of coffee culture and the town's background

The number of authentic coffee shops in Morioka began to increase in the 1950s and 60s. This was a time when cafe chains did not yet exist. Coffee shops functioned as "salons of knowledge"

Incidentally, Morioka residents drink some of the most coffee in the country in terms of the amount of coffee they consume in a year. the culture of warming oneself while chatting, which is unique to the cold northern climate . For the people of Morioka, coffee is not just a luxury item, it is the very blood flow of the city.

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Visiting famous cafes

There are many coffee shops that represent Morioka, and we will introduce a few of them.

Mitsuharasha Kafukan

Miyazawa Kenji published his novel " The Restaurant of Many Orders ." The plaster walls, heavy furniture, and coffee brewed using a cloth filter create the very scent of literature. The chairs and tables are handmade by local artisans. Tourists are amazed, saying, "It feels like you've wandered into a part of the story."

Information

• Name: Kogensha Kafukan
• Address: 2-18 Zaimokucho, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-622-2894
• URL: Mitsuharasha Main Store
• Business hours: 10:00 - 18:00 (Saturdays only - 17:30)
• Closed: 15th of every month (if it falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the 15th will be closed on the following weekday)

Google Map

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Tea room car gate

This long-established cafe is lit by classical lamps and plays calming music. Many artists from Morioka used to frequent it as students, and the tranquil atmosphere has long been loved as space for creativity

Information

• Name: Tea room Kurumamon
• Address: 5-7 Sakanamachi, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0196515562
• Opening hours: 11:00-19:00
• Closed: Irregular

Google Map

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Cafe Fukakusa

This small, hidden coffee shop feels like a hideaway. A cup of their nel drip coffee is so tasty you'll want to stay for a while. Singer-songwriter Kazuyoshi Saito is known to visit here when he's in Morioka, making it a secret mecca for music lovers.

Information

• Name: Cafe Fukakusa
• Address: 1-2 Konyacho, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Business hours: 12:00-18:00
• Regular holidays: Irregular holidays

Google Map

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Cappuccino Shiki

As its name suggests, this small cafe pays particular attention to even the foam in its cappuccinos. Poetry and art decorate the walls, creating an atmosphere where visitors can enjoy quiet time. It's a cultural crossroads, frequented by local students and young creators.

Information

• Name: Cappuccino Shiki
• Address: 10-6 Morioka Ekimae-dori, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Business hours: 9:00-19:30
• Closed: Monday

Google Map

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Clammbon

Clammbon, a long-established cafe founded in 1980, is an essential presence when talking about Morioka's coffee culture. The interior of the store blends a retro atmosphere with a warm interior, providing visitors with a relaxing time. It is beloved by locals as a "place of comfort" that they have been visiting for many years.

Information

• Name: Clammbon
• Address: 5-33 Konyacho, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Business hours: 10:00-16:00
• Closed: Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays

Google Map

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Tea House Liebe

Tea House Liebe is Morioka's first tea specialty store, which opened in 1971. The interior is all box seating, and the calm colors and British-style interior create a relaxing atmosphere.

In addition to over 30 types of tea to enjoy, from straight to creative teas, there is also a wide selection of light meals such as coffee, juice, parfaits, pancakes, breakfast and lunch sets, etc. The " Tea Punch " is a particularly popular dish, featuring over 10 types of fruit arranged in a gorgeous arrangement.

Information

• Name: Tea House Liebe
• Address: 5-3 Uchimaru, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Business hours: 7:30-19:00
• Closed: Irregular

Google Map

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A cafe that breathes literature

Morioka's coffee shops often appear in the world of literature and film.

• Kenji Miyazawa and Coffee Shops
  As a student, Kenji is said to have frequented cafes in Morioka City, where he would discuss literature and music with his friends. Later, the Mitsuharasha Kafukan became a symbolic presence, linking the culture of literature and coffee shops.
• Moriso Miike (poet and essayist),
  a literary figure from Morioka, wrote about Miyazawa Kenji's frequent coffee shops in his book "Kenji and Coffee." Literature and coffee shops are inseparable in this town.

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Reconnecting the younger generation with retro cafes

Retro cafes are experiencing a resurgence in popularity among Gen Z and young travelers, with Instagram filled with photos of Morioka's cream sodas and Showa-era interiors.

What they find there is more than just a "good look." In an age where efficiency takes priority they may be drawn to the "space" and "slowness" of coffee shops

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What a cup of coffee gives you

Morioka's coffee shops are not flashy tourist spots that get much attention, but they are home to a long-standing culture and the memories of the people who live there.

You can share the same atmosphere without having to talk to the person sitting next to you. You can simply savor your coffee with that special book open. This experience is possible because the city of Morioka continues to preserve the "culture of coffee shops."

For travelers, coffee shops are more than just a place to rest. They are a "small window" into the flow of time. If you're visiting Morioka, be sure to push open the door on one of the streets.

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