Walk by too quickly and you might miss the small sign, precariously balanced against a wooden door, that reads ‘Kokontozai’. This elusive coffee shop, tucked inside a former residential building, serves only pour-over coffee.
It’s a single room with large windows overlooking a quiet side street in Nishi-Azabu. A few mismatched seats are scattered around the space, and the exposed, peeling partitions add to its charm. One server guides you through a rotating selection of beans sourced from independent roasters around the world. On one of our visits, we couldn’t help but admire the packaging: some beans came in boxes that looked deceptively like VHS tapes, while others were stored in faux beer cans.
The name Kokontozai means ‘from all times and places’ or ‘throughout history and across the world’ – a fitting title for a café whose offerings span continents. Even the mugs and ceramics are handpicked from various corners of the globe, with no two alike.
The pour-over method takes time, but that only deepens the experience. As the coffee brews, rich aromas fill the room, inviting you to slow down.
It feels a bit like visiting a friend’s home. Learn something new about your favourite drink – and maybe discover a new roaster – at Kokontozai. You just have to catch them when they’re open; keep an eye on the shop’s Instagram for hours and closing days.