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

To Morioka, the quiet city of coffee shops

Walking through the streets of Morioka, just a short distance from the hustle and bustle of the station,you can stumble upon quiet coffee shops that evoke a sense of nostalgia.Pushing open the deep-colored wooden door, the aroma of pour-over coffee wafts out, and behind the counter, you'll find the master silently grinding beans. This space, where time seems to have stood still in the Showa era, offers a special sense of peace to both travelers and locals alike.

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 proper coffee shops in Morioka increased during the 1950s and 60s. This was before the existence of coffee chains. Coffeeshops functioned as "salons of knowledge," where

Incidentally,Morioka residents drink one of the highest amounts of coffee in the country per year.This is likely rooted in a culture unique to the harsh, cold northern regions: the custom of "warming oneself while conversing." For the people of Morioka, coffee is not merely a luxury item; it's the very lifeblood 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

Kohara-sha, the publishing house that published Kenji Miyazawa's "The Restaurant of Many Orders." With its plaster walls, heavy furniture, and coffee brewed using theネルドリップ (nel drip) method, it truly evokes the atmosphere of literature. The chairs and tables are handcrafted by local artisans. Tourists will be amazed, feeling as if they have 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:Kohara-sha 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 coffee shop is illuminated by classic lamps and plays soothing music. Many artists from Morioka frequented the shop during their student days, and its tranquil atmospherespace for creativityhas been loved for many years as

Information

• Name: Tea room Kurumamon
• Address: 5-7 Sakanamachi, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0196515562
• Business 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
• Closed: 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: Mondays

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 offering over 30 varieties of tea, from straight tea to specialty blends, the cafe also boasts a wide selection of coffee, juice, parfaits, pancakes, and light meals such as breakfast and lunch sets. Their "Tea Punch," in particular, is a popular choice, featuring a beautiful arrangement of over 10 kinds of fruit.

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

• the Kohara-sha
  　Cafe Kahi-kan became a symbolic example of this, connecting literature and cafe culture.
• Mori Shoichi (poet and essayist)
  　is a literary figure from Morioka, and in his book "Kenji and Coffee," he recounts Miyazawa Kenji's visits to coffee shops. Literature and coffee shops are inseparable in this city.

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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 isn't just about being "Instagrammable." In an age where efficiency is paramountthe "space" and "relaxed pace" of a coffee shopthey may be drawn to

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What a cup of coffee gives you

Morioka's coffee shops aren't the kind of places that receive the flashy spotlight of a tourist destination. But theyare steeped in a long-standing everyday culture and the memories of its people.

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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