Specialty Coffee in Kanazawa

Kanazawa Coffee Culture

Endless conversation exists in the universe about the traditional Golden Triangle of Japan that attracts most first-time visitors to the country. Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto all merit your time at some point, but they are far from the only magical stop on any given trip. The New Golden Triangle expands beyond those limits and treats travelers to a variety of new experiences. Kanazawa is one of these cities, often referred to as a mini Kyoto, but it would be a disservice to think of it through that lens alone. Kanazawa is deserving of your attention for its well-preserved Geisha District and Samurai District, its gorgeous Kenroku-en Garden, its reconstruction of the burned down Kanazawa Castle. Better yet for coffee lovers, its longstanding expertise in arts and crafts, particularly beautiful ceramic in all shapes and sizes and especially coffee and tea cups, some even with laced with gold, is a hub for anyone looking to shop for hours and bring home something for the kitchen. Now, let’s get to the specialty coffee in Kanazawa. In most countries, one might visit a smaller city like Kanazawa and expect to find one, maybe two specialty coffee shops, if any at all. Or you might plan to bring along your Aeropress and hand grinder to make something in your accommodation before heading out (or being Japan, drink matcha for your caffeine of the day – certainly a valid alternative), but no, Japan is a special place for specialty coffee enthusiasts in that high quality pour over and light roasts are available in most local coffee shops. What’s not to love?

Best Pour Over Coffee Shops in Kanazawa

Nonstop Coffee Stand & Roaster

With a small sliding door and just enough space to stand inside while you watch your coffee being made, and a single bench outside, Nonstop Coffee Stand & Roaster is clearly designed for those who are on the move nonstop (sorry, had to) and just popping in for a delightful pour over coffee in a wine glass before moving on to whatever comes next in the day. The primary goal here is to bring a hint of the Melbourne coffee culture to Kanazawa and help make make everyone’s day a bit better.

What to order: Pour over

Address: 2 Chome-6-2-3 Higashiyama, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0831, Japan

Website
nonstopcoffee.jp

Pessoa Coffee Roasters

Pessoa, Portuguese for “person” as well as a famous poet’s last name, evokes the sense of a small neighborhood coffee shop on the streets of Lisbon and was inspired by the owner’s trip to Portugal. The pour over coffee here is a great way to rest your feet from your history tour of Kanazawa and daydream of strolling through a far off land, before jumping back into what makes Kanazawa coffee culture so great.

What to order: Pour over

Address: 3 Chome-120-1 Shintatemachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0995, Japan

Website
pessoa_coffee_roasters

townsfolk coffee

townsfolk coffee, in the heart of Kanazawa, wears its love for Scandinavian coffee culture on its sleeve. Focused on the light roasts prominently featured in Copenhagen coffee shops, townsfolk coffee is sure to be a delight for specialty coffee enthusiast visiting Kanazawa. Order a pour over and cross the ephemeral bridge between Japanese and Danish culture on offer here.

What to order: Pour over

Address: 22-18 Takaokamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0864, Japan

Website
townsfolkcoffee

6 Aparment Coffee

6 Apartment Coffee might be the best option on this list for anyone traveling with an affinity towards creative recipes with their coffee, all while you can enjoy your pour over specialty coffee in Kanazawa at the same time. They make various coffee and matcha drinks with interesting combinations of recipes that will liven up a visit if you want something a little bit different too. It also has a delicious Basque cheesecake for those of you that enjoy sweet pastries with your coffee.

What to order: Pour over

Address: Japan, 〒920-0868 Ishikawa, Kanazawa, Rokumaimachi, 2−2 Square Court, 1階

6ac_kanazawa