In case you are wondering why coffee is spelled with a "K", consider it a nod to OMOTESANDO KOFFEE's roots as a kiosk. The structure of the building has inspired not only the name and logo, but also the koffee kashi baked daily in-house.
There is something special brewing in Tokyo. Nestled in the bustling neighborhood of Omotesando, within the walls of a 60 year old private home, lies a garden oasis. OMOTESANDO KOFFEE is a place where traditional meets modern, old meets new, and where everything is artfully done.
While the rest of Tokyo prides itself in the ultramodern and thrives in the chaos, artisan Eiichi Kunitomo is committed to peace, quiet, and the human connection. Here, espresso reigns king, not the coffee that is more widely enjoyed across Japan.
Beyond the espresso, Eiichi is creating an entirely new cafe culture. It is not Western and it is not European. It is distinctly Japanese. Artisans, as they are called here (not baristas), incorporate elements of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies into the coffee experience.
Eiichi's favorite beverage to enjoy is a simple espresso because it allows the quality of the beans and the preparation process to shine through. No hiding. Simply pure.
Much like the time-honored methods of preparing matcha tea, every move has a purpose as the espresso is prepared. Every step is thoughtful and optimized. How else would you get the milk so perfectly frothed? To take that one step further, one person takes you through the entire experience. No segregation of duties here. This experience is much more personal. Artisans and customers are together all the way from start to finish and get a closer connection as a result. There is no milk and sugar station. Even these details are handled by the artisan. They must take the time to get to know each customer and what they want.
The space was designed to be open and transparent, making it possible to see the entire process. Every step is done in front of an audience. Eiichi admits this puts pressure on the artisans, but this is another way of honoring the tradition of Japanese tea ceremonies. Every move is perfected for the guest. Yet somehow, the whole process remains so simple, so uncomplicated.
Was it the best latte I've ever had? If by "best", you mean the lightest, fluffiest, smoothest latte, then yes. Absolutely.
When it is finally time to enjoy the perfection in your cup, the espresso itself continues to be the focus. Rather than the normal flurry of caffeinated chatter, or the click-clicking of keyboards, this space is very quiet. There are no laptops, no electronics, and certainly no cell phones. It is a calm amid the chaos of Tokyo. A reprieve from a dazzling, overstimulated city.
I could not get enough of the colors in this maple tree. I dropped the ISO slightly and sped up the shutter speed to capture the moodiness of the red and green playing off each other. I could spend all day right here.
The surrounding garden is filled with Japanese maple trees and a small bench for customers to sit and stay awhile. The neighborhood feel is part of what makes this place stand out. It is almost as if you are enjoying a cup of coffee below your very own Japanese maple tree, in your own backyard.
To Eiichi and his entire staff, I say, gochisousama deshita (ごちそうさま). Thank you for allowing me an intimate look inside your world. I am honored you shared with me and am humbled by the time we spent together. Your vision is inspiring. Mata ne (またね)!
There are three total locations. The original is in Omotesando, where the interview took place, the second is in Toranomon (also in Tokyo), and there is even a kiosk in Kyoto! This photo was taken at the Omotesando location, in the garden beneath a Japanese maple tree. Again, I dropped the ISO and sped up the shutter to celebrate this amazing woodwork. Even though the woodwork is beautiful, Eiichi's latte art is definitely the star of this show.
