The scrumptious flavors of Scent, an old-school junkissa espresso store in downtown Tokyo

Sip the flavors of nostalgia on this Showa-era cafe that’s additionally a strategy to beat the strains at one in all Tokyo’s hottest bakeries.

Whereas younger Japanese folks would possibly rave concerning the newest Starbucks drink, a hidden gem lies prior to now: the charming junkissa. In Japanese, the normal phrase for “cafe” is kissaten (actually “a store during which to drink tea”). With jun that means “pure,” a junkissa is a spot to focus solely on the enjoyment of tea/espresso, and we not too long ago found a fantastic junkissa that’s nonetheless in enterprise in downtown Tokyo.

Why then was the jun designation vital? There was one other kind of espresso store known as tokushu (“particular”) kissa, which additionally served alcohol supplied feminine companionship and ultimately remodeled into the current-era hostess bars. With tokushu kissa now not a factor kissaten is usually taken to simply imply “espresso store,” so when cafe followers name a spot a junkissa it’s an indication of approval of a espresso store that exudes an particularly inviting retro ambiance that encourages clients to calm down and revel in their drinks. Whereas they serve meals, they often don’t have the intensive selection that most of the extra fashionable cafes have on supply.

Our junkissa discovery occurred in Tokyo’s Taito Ward, simply exterior Asakusabashi Station’s west exit. It’s necessary to notice that this station is totally different to Asakusa Station, which has the well-known Sensoji temple close by. Asakusabashi is a couple of stops away on the Asakusa subway line, or one cease from the holy land of anime, Akihabara, on the Chuo-Sobu practice line.

The cafe is known as Scent, a reputation that hints on the pleasant aroma of their espresso. It was first established within the Fifties in Chuo Ward earlier than ending up in its present location reverse the practice tracks, it’s a store with a real ambiance of Japan’s Showa interval, in stark distinction to the chain shops surrounding it.

Trendy cafe chains in Tokyo have been shrinking or eliminating their smoking sections lately, however Scent nonetheless permits smoking all through the cafe. The workers will carry an ashtray over to your desk together with a glass of water. So be ready to share the area with fellow clients having fun with a smoke alongside their drinks.

Surrounding the tables are wood partitions and leather-based seating. The inside of the cafe overflows with options typical of the Showa period, creating a comfortable ambiance to calm down in. It’s an ideal spot to expertise the aesthetic of a bygone period.

Since its authentic opening, Scent has had a pleasant relationship with well-known native bakery Pelican. Pelican’s bread is so well-liked that strains for it usually kind within the morning earlier than the bakery has even opened, and it commonly sells out by midday. If the Battle for Bread shouldn’t be for you, Scent makes for a fantastic various if you would like a style, with choices like Scent’s cheese omelet toast set (800 yen [US$5.37]), coming with a alternative of espresso or tea.

When the toasted sandwich arrives, it comes on a retro-designed plate, with cheese oozing from the edges and looking out completely mouth-watering.

The sandwich is crammed with cheese omelet, cucumber and mayonnaise. The omelet is skinny, serving to boost the flavour of the bread. It’s actually an beautiful strategy to pattern Pelican’s product.

The cucumbers additionally add a pleasant contact, all combining collectively to kind a style harking back to the Showa period.

The espresso is equally pleasant. There’s a gentle bitterness and slight acidity, a taste typical of espresso at a junkissa. The flavour and aroma would absolutely brighten up a busy morning.

One other charming side of the shop is its cash-only coverage, one thing that’s changing into more and more uncommon within the push in the direction of a cashless society. This solely provides to its retro enchantment. After a cheerful ship off by the workers whenever you go away, you might be shortly confronted by the bustling of recent life and end up longing to return to the Showa sanctuary from which you simply emerged.

As Japan’s greatest and most cosmopolitan metropolis, there’s no scarcity of main chain cafes in Tokyo, however we’re all the time glad once we discover distinctive, smaller shops like junkissa and have an opportunity to help them too.

Location data
Scent
Handle: Tokyo-to, Taito-ku, Asakusabashi 1-24-2
東京都台東区浅草橋1-24-2
Open 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Closed Sundays and holidays

Pelican / パンのペリカン
Handle: Tokyo-to, Taito-ku, Kotobuki 4-7-4
東京都台東区寿4-7-4
Open 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (closes early when bought out)
Closed Sundays and sure holidays (Obon and New Years)
Web site

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