The Perfect Place for Coffee in Hiroshima

Aug 30, 2024

The Perfect Place for Coffee in Hiroshima

Japan remains a nation with more of a tea culture than a coffee culture, but there is a growing fascination with the bean. This is going beyond the proliferation of Starbucks branches popping up across the country. Cities including Hiroshima have been developing an independent coffee shop scene, with many outlets becoming social hubs that offer more than just a good cuppa. Here are a few places well worth checking out.

Obscura Coffee Roasters

A go-to place in Hiroshima for fans of good quality coffee. Obscura began life in Tokyo but its founders hail from Hiroshima and it wasn’t long before they brought their concept home. Opening in 2009, there are now two branches (Fukuromachi and Hondori). You can choose from a wide selection of drinks, from espresso to iced latte. Coffee beans are procured from around the world and the company is committed to paying fair prices to farmers. If you’re a tad peckish, there are a range of pastries and scones to nibble on.

Website: https://obscura-coffee.com/

Progress Life Style Coffee

Located in downtown Hiroshima just five minutes from the train station, Progress is a trendy modern coffee shop that doubles up as a co-working space, meaning that it attracts many young professionals and digital nomads. You can buy a range of coffee and tea beverages here as well as food including sandwiches, pasta and desserts including a lovely matcha cheesecake. Progress has gained a bit of an Instagram following due to its annual latte art competition, with baristas decorating drinks with fancy designs. There is also an online store where you can buy bags of coffee and other treats.

Website: Progress Life Style Coffee

Akam Coffee Works

This artisan coffee shop is southwest from central Hiroshima, not too far from Higashi Senda Park. It prides itself on fine hand-roasted coffee. In fact, the owner has hosted coffee-roasting workshops. Diners come for the ambiance as well as the exquisite line of espressos and drip coffees. Desserts include a selection of gelatos and a tasty crème brulee.

Website: https://akamcoffee.theshop.jp/

Hachidori-sha Social Book Café

If you’re after a coffee house with a little something extra, this place is something of a hidden gem. It’s situated above a hair salon close to the Peace Memorial Park and offers up a cosy blend of fine coffee, organic food and shelves stuffed with Japanese and English literature. The business is run by a local peace activist and her efforts to provide a friendly space stretch to fitting the café out with heated kotatsu tables. Not surprisingly, this is a popular co-working space in Hiroshima.

Website: http://hachidorisha.com/home/

rit. Craft Chocolate and Coffee

This intimate little café is on the southern Hiroshima coast in Eboaki ward. It’s primarily an artisan chocolate specialist serving up an array of bean-to-bar treats as well as ice-cream and brownies. You can enjoy a finely espresso, latte or mocha here while enjoying the seaside view.

Website: https://rit-craftchocolateandcoffee.com/

Julius Schorzman, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons