![\"Cafe,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pixta_88397494_M-1024x683.jpg\")
Picture: mallow8 \/ PIXTA(\u30d4\u30af\u30b9\u30bf)<\/p>\nKissaten (\u55ab\u8336\u5e97), and specifically junkissa (\u7d14\u55ab\u8336, \u201cpure tea\/coffee houses\u201d), are traditional Japanese coffee shops. They peaked in the early 1980s and have been in steady decline ever since, squeezed by chain caf\u00e9s like Doutor and Starbucks or disappearing from the hands of aging owners without successors.<\/p>\n
However, a recent counter-trend suggests that these traditional coffee shops might be having a bit of a comeback. We\u2019re going to pop open this can of worms and take a look at this little roller coaster.<\/p>\n
What are kissaten and junkissa, and how are they different from caf\u00e9s?<\/p>\n
Picture: mallow8 \/ PIXTA(\u30d4\u30af\u30b9\u30bf)<\/p>\n
Kissaten first came about in the Edo Era after the introduction of coffee<\/a>, but didn\u2019t really pick up popularity until the 1900s. They peaked at nearly 155,000 shops in 1981 and had spawned many different types, such as late-night, self-service, and specialty coffee shops.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, junkissa emerged as the \u201cpure\u201d coffee house in the late 1920s to distinguish itself from hostess-staffed caf\u00e9s<\/a> tied to nightlife and entertainment. It did so to bring kissaten back to its roots: a shop centered purely on coffee rather than adult entertainment.<\/p>\n Over time, that distinction turned into a whole mood: wood furniture, dim lighting, old records, and a feeling that time is moving a little slower than usual. A junkissa nowadays is basically a coffee shop with a Showa-era vibe that\u2019s classy without being tired.<\/p>\n Kissaten and junkissa differ from caf\u00e9s in more than just name, though. They\u2019re legally distinct, with kissaten licensing limiting food sales to lightly heated food, while caf\u00e9s can run broader food service.<\/p>\n That sounds like a minor detail, but it shapes the whole business model. A smaller menu can be charming, but it also makes it harder to adapt when tastes change or when the shop needs more revenue streams. So, it may have contributed to the traditional coffee shop\u2019s eventual decline.<\/p>\n Reasons for closure: competition and aging out<\/p>\n By 2021, just 40 years after the height of its popularity, the number of kissaten had taken a nosedive<\/a> to 58,700. The biggest reason is simple: owners got older, and many had no one to hand the business to. In a lot of cases, the shop was basically a one-person operation, so retirement meant the lights went off for good.<\/p>\n Kissaten as a whole also ended up facing a lot of competition. The caf\u00e9 chain Doutor began expanding in the 1980s, and Starbucks arrived in Japan in 1996 with its first store in Ginza.<\/p>\n These companies offered standard menus, fast service, and more locations, often in areas with prime traffic. Independently-owned kissaten had a hard time keeping up.<\/p>\n They were also competing against changing habits. People wanted speed, convenience, and non-smoking spaces, but many kissaten were built around slowing down and enjoying a leisurely conversation.<\/p>\n Even long-lasting kissaten like Junkissa Lion in Nagoya weren\u2019t immune. The shop closed in February 2025, but had been around since 1958 \u2013 a 66-year-long run that probably made it seem like it would last forever.<\/p>\n Junkissa boom in modern times<\/p>\n However, not all hope is lost for the noble coffee house. Recently, there\u2019s been a junkissa boom<\/a>, especially among younger customers and women in their 20s and 30s who love the old-school atmosphere.<\/p>\n Planning a trip to Japan? Get an authentic, interpreted experience from Unseen Japan Tours<\/a> and see a side of the country others miss!<\/p>\n Social media has done a lot of the work here. Popular junkissa items like cream soda, Napolitan spaghetti<\/a>, and custard pudding are all extremely photogenic \u2013 perfect for sharing online.<\/p>\n The aesthetic isn\u2019t the only reason for the revival. Sitting in a space that feels handmade, a little old-fashioned, and slightly off the clock has a nostalgic appeal. In a world of clean lines and algorithm-friendly caf\u00e9s, a dusty velvet seat and a warm drink can feel almost rebellious.<\/p>\n Plus, kissaten prices are comparable to or sometimes cheaper than caf\u00e9 chains or specialty caf\u00e9s<\/a>. Starbucks ranges from 380 yen (2.50 USD) for its cheapest plain black coffee, while themed and specialty caf\u00e9s start anywhere from 600-1000 yen (4-6 USD).<\/p>\n Meanwhile, kissaten prices stay in a comfortable mid-range at 450-600 yen (3-4 USD). They also often come with \u201cmorning service\u201d (\u30e2\u30fc\u30cb\u30f3\u30b0\u30b5\u30fc\u30d3\u30b9) deals, offering toast or dessert for just an extra 50-100 yen (less than 1 USD).<\/p>\n Alternatively, head to western Japan, where kissaten still rule<\/p>\n While kissaten have declined across the country, in western Japan, they\u2019re just as popular as ever. When comparing the number of coffee shops against population, Shikoku\u2019s Kochi Prefecture<\/a> comes out on top, with one kissaten for every 831 people.<\/p>\n Nagoya, over in Aichi Prefecture, is also nothing to snuff at. It may well be the origin of morning service deals, building a thriving kissaten culture where coffee shops are less like a quick stop and more like part of the daily routine.<\/p>\n Explore more caf\u00e9s and coffee culture in Japan<\/p>\n For a country that most identify with \u201ctea,\u201d Japan has a surprisingly booming coffee culture, from canned coffee out of vending machines<\/a> to relaxing book caf\u00e9s<\/a>. Check out more of our stories for an authentic side of Japan you haven\u2019t seen yet.<\/p>\n Sources<\/p>\n \u7d14\u55ab\u8336. Wikipedia Japan<\/a><\/p>\n \u65e5\u672c\u306b\u304a\u3051\u308b\u55ab\u8336\u5e97\u306e\u6b74\u53f2. Wikipedia Japan<\/a><\/p>\n \u30c7\u30fc\u30bf\u3067\u898b\u308b\u7d14\u55ab\u8336\u306e\u79fb\u308a\u5909\u308f\u308a. \u30c7\u30fc\u30bf\u306e\u3058\u304b\u3093<\/a><\/p>\n \u90fd\u9053\u5e9c\u770c\u5225\u55ab\u8336\u5e97\u5e97\u8217\u6570. \u5168\u65e5\u672c\u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\u5354\u4f1a (AJCA)<\/a><\/p>\n \u55ab\u8336\u5e97\u55b6\u696d\u306e\u5b9f\u614b\u3068\u7d4c\u55b6\u6539\u5584\u306e\u65b9\u7b56. \u539a\u751f\u52b4\u50cd\u7701 (MHLW)<\/a><\/p>\n \u306a\u305c\u82e5\u8005\u305f\u3061\u304c\u30cf\u30de\u308b\u306e\u304b\uff1f\u300c\u6771\u4eac\u55ab\u8336\u5e97\u7814\u7a76\u6240\u300d\u6240\u9577\u306b\u805e\u304f\u7d14\u55ab\u8336\u30d6\u30fc\u30e0\u306e\u697d\u3057\u307f\u65b9. @DIME<\/a><\/p>\n \u5275\u696d66\u5e74\u306e\u55ab\u8336\u5e97\u300e\u7d14\u55ab\u8336\u30e9\u30a4\u30aa\u30f3\u300f\u304c2025\u5e742\u67089\u65e5\u3092\u3082\u3063\u3066\u9589\u5e97. \u540d\u53e4\u5c4b\u60c5\u5831\u901a<\/a><\/p>\n Young coffee shop owners in Tokyo keep the dwindling coffeehouse culture alive. The Japan Times<\/a><\/p>\n Brewing Culture: The Story of Japan\u2019s Kissaten Cafes. JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles<\/a><\/p>\n \u30102025\u5e74\u5ea612\u6708\u5ea6\u3011\u30ab\u30d5\u30a7\u30c1\u30a7\u30fc\u30f315\u793e\u306e\u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc1\u676f\u306e\u91d1\u984d\u3092\u5fb9\u5e95\u6bd4\u8f03\uff01 Note<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pixta_63496698_M.jpg\")
Picture: \u3086\u3046\u3055\u3093<\/a> \/ PIXTA(\u30d4\u30af\u30b9\u30bf)<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/uj-tours-unseen-seen-12-2024.png\"\/)
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