Osaka for Coffee Lovers: 5 Kissaten to Add to Your List

Do you know about kissaten in Japan?  As you might know, there are many cafes located around the country, but kissaten stand out as unique, with the biggest difference being the atmosphere. Cafes are open and lively, while a kissaten is a retro and quiet place to settle down and enjoy your drink of choice. Also known as kissa, inside these unique shops you can explore the world of the Showa era with vintage furniture, antiques and dark wood. Not to mention that in Osaka, a city where the old and new are blended, there are great kissa that offer unique experiences. So, let’s check them out!

Hiraoka Coffee

Residing near Honmachi Station, Hiraoka Coffee is the oldest kissaten in Osaka. It has been passed down through three generations since 1921. The highlights are its home-roasted coffee and homemade doughnuts. This shop is especially known for offering three original coffees: Hyakunen coffee, aromatic blended coffee, and bitter blended coffee. They serve boiled coffee, which is rarely seen in other stores and your typical cafe nowadays. Also, the slightly sweet doughnuts match the drinks perfectly, creating an amazing experience tailor-made for your tastebuds. Some fans even visit Hiraoka Coffee solely for its doughnuts! Surrounded by antiques and wood furniture, you can spend a comfortable time relaxing and enjoying a delicious cup of joe and a homemade golden brown ring of joy.

Address: 3 Chome-6-11 Kawaramachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 541-0048

Opening hours: Wed ~ Sun – 10:00 ~ 18:00

Price range: 500 ~ 1000 yen

Website (only in Japanese): https://www.cafe-hiraoka.jp

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafe_hiraoka

Marufuku Coffee (Sennichimae honten)

Located in the Cuo-Ward, Marufuku Coffee Sennichimae Honten has been loved by all for generations since 1934. This kissa is the setting of the famous Japanese novel “Bara no ame” by Seiko Tanabe. When you step into the building, you can see elegant lamps and stained glass, creating a retro atmosphere that is sure to put your mind at ease. It will make you want to stay and spend as much time relaxing as possible. As far as food goes, we have to recommend the pancakes, which are cooked on the copper grill in house. It goes so well with plenty of butter and a hefty serving of maple syrup!

Address: 1 Chome-9-1 Sennichimae, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0074

Opening hours: 8:00 ~ 23:00

Price range: 1000 ~ 2000 yen

Website (only in Japanese): https://marufukucoffeeten.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marufukucoffee1934

Cafe Sunshine

Right around the corner of the A7 exit of Higashi-Umeda Station, Cafe Sunshine is a specialised coffee shop where you can drink 10 different kinds of coffee. This type of kissaten is called “junkissa”, with jun meaning pure. At the drink menu, they only serve coffee and no alcoholic beverages. You can taste high-quality coffee in a warm place with orange lights and a comfortable sofa. Also, Cafe Sunshine offers a wide range of dishes such as Japanese omelettes and creamy puddings. Come the 15th of April, the kissaten will be moving to the second basement floor of the Osaka Station 3 building, set to reopen this May.

Address: 1 Chome-1-3 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0001

Opening hours: Mon ~ Fri – 7:00 ~ 20:00, Sat ~ Sun – 8:00 ~ 18:30

Price range: 1000 ~ 2000 yen

Website (only in Japanese): https://www.kissa-sunshine.jp

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kissa_sunshine

Arabiya Coffee

Opened in 1951, Arabiya Coffee has a catchy slogan: “Cheers with coffee!” The interior is a bit unique from other kissa, holding a secret hideaway on the second floor! The whole kissaten is like a gallery where you can see a lot of treasures and learn the history of this shop. On the first floor, you can taste various coffees and foods. They are famous for their rich homemade pudding, which goes well with many of their full-boiled coffee. If you want somewhere to rest after the food tour, visit Arabiya Coffee.

Address: 1 Chome-6-7 Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076

Opening hours: Mon ~ Fri – 11:00 ~ 18:00, Sat ~ Sun – 10:00 ~ 19:00

Price range: 1000 ~ 2000 yen

Website (only in Japanese): https://arabiyacoffee.com/index.html

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arabiyacoffee29

LiLo Coffee Roasters

This kissaten offers daily special coffee, which is carefully chosen by the baristas. Surprisingly, you can enjoy 20 different coffees on any given day! If you cannot decide what to drink, ask the kind English-speaking staff; they’re more than happy to help you find that perfect brew. This shop also has an English menu, so it is perfect for travelers who aren’t familiar with Japanese. If you like the coffee in the shop, you can order it online, even from foreign countries. But they don’t just offer drinks, you can also try some dishes like a croissant, a hotdog and a cinnamon roll. LiLo Coffee Roasters is located in Nishishinsaibashi, and it takes 3 minutes on foot from the A6 exit of Nishishinsaibashi Station.

Address: 〒542-0086 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Nishishinsaibashi, 1 Chome−10−28 Shinsaibashi M, １階

Opening hours: 11:00 ~ 23:00

Price range: 450 ~ 1000 yen

Website: https://coffee.liloinveve.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lilocoffeeroasters

Osaka is well known for local soul foods like takoyaki and okonomiyaki, but it has an unexpected side. There are many retro kissa where you can settle down by sipping coffee, and pairing it with that perfect snack or sweet. With the antiques and vintage furniture, you can also feel the past of Japan, providing you with a unique, relaxing atmosphere each time you visit. From Hiraoka Coffee with its century-old history to LiLo Coffee Roasters which serves various kinds of coffee, each place offers a special experience you’re sure not to get anywhere else. Whether you are a coffee enthusiast or simply looking for a spot to rest, these kissaten will be sure to make you spend so long within their walls, whilst having a comfortable, relaxing time.

Featured Photo Credit: Cafe Sunshine

After a little “kissaten” hopping, come join one of our tours in Osaka to learn more about the food and culture of this area and explore like a local!