Located on Tojin-Machi Street in the vicinity Kumamoto Castle, housed in a 120-year-old renovated Machiya, Coffee Kairo blends the traditional and the modern. This special spot invites everyone, from young people seeking new things to the neighborhood adults, to drop in for a cup.

The beans sold at Coffee Kairo have been personally selected by the owner, who observes the farms where they are grown. The methods used for refining their specialty coffees vary from naturally drying the fruit of the beans to washing the beans with water. If you tell them what you like, the staff can tell you about the acidity, bitterness and flavor of each coffee, recommending the best one for you. 

To go with the coffee, Japanese sweets are prepared. The resident patissier came up with this original idea from western confectionery. The "Daifuku", a soft rice cake that is hand-made starting from the sweet bean paste, is served with a coffee bean. 

Choosing the beans, enjoying a cup of coffee, and taking the beans to savor at home: this pattern is repeated by many locals who frequent Coffee Kairo. 

Climb the stairs of this shop and a wide gallery space opens up before you. Usually, the 2nd floor is used for seating, but events such as art exhibits are also held here on a regular basis. Why not indulge yourself for a moment by appreciating art while listening to the sound of coffee being roasted on the first floor?

20 Tojin-machi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto-shi

https://www.coffeegallery.online/

Rotary Coffee is located in a residential area near Kumamoto Station. Coffee lover Higashi-san, the owner, greets you at the door.

The 4 or 5 types of beans carried in this shop vary by their degree of roasting. The roasts range from light to medium and dark, so you're sure to find your favorite in this lineup. At least one type of seasonal blend is always available, and all of them may be sampled. 

Higashi-san will carefully explain the bean lineup to help you find your favotite one. He says, "When roasting beans, the acidity and sweetness comes out first, then the bitterness appears. This rich acidity is a key feature of specialty coffees. One cup awakened me to the possibilities of coffee. I am happy to help customers find the beans that impress them."

When you purchase a bag of beans, you will receive a free cup of coffee, even if it's made with a different type of beans. For a different flavor from what you can taste at home, savor a cup brewed by a pro.

The Coffee Milk Pudding, a handmade treat to enjoy with your cup, is a masterpiece. Cold-brew coffee is paired with a pudding extracted from milk, served with a coffee sauce made by boiling sugar and espresso. 

The original goods on display make perfect souvenirs or gifts. There are also specially packaged gift sets, so why not get one as a souvenir of your visit?

315 Motoyama-machi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto-shi

https://rotarycoffee.jp/

Licht Coffee & Cakes is located 3 minutes on foot from Kumamoto Station. 

Just like the shop sign says, this is a place to enjoy coffee with cake. Every morning, these cakes are handmade by the shop manager, who used to be a hotel patissier in Fukuoka, and a registered dietician. 

All the cakes that line the showcase are made with a specific coffee in mind. Pop-up tabs next to each cake indicate the coffee that complements it. Tell the staff what you like, and they will suggest an ideal pairing.

Here is the popular Tarte Poire. Matching the refreshing sweetness of pears with an almond cream, this cake is paired with a light-roast Colombian drip coffee. It is the perfect blend of sweet and sour!

The shop manager, Onoue-san, says, "Since we offer terrace seating, many people bring their pets here. The second cup of coffee is half-price, so you can relax and take it easy. If you want to discuss coffee, cake, or anything else, please open the door and come on in. When the sun goes down, the sunset is really beautiful, too!"

2-22, Kasuga 2-chome, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto-shi

https://instagram.com/lichtcoffeecakes?igshid=7x8zd9a8qp0a