Amazing AOMORI

Conveniently located right inside the Shin-Aomori Station building, this café, whose name literally means “water and coffee,” prides itself on brewing its coffee with natural spring water from the bountiful Shirakami-Sanchi region. This soft water brings out the aroma of coffee beans regardless of their country of origin. In addition to a wide selection of drip coffee made with carefully selected beans of various origins, the menu also features espresso-based drinks as well as pastries. With free Wi-Fi and plentiful charging outlets, this is a great place to get a caffeine boost and reorient yourself upon your arrival or to take a final relaxing coffee break before boarding your departing bullet train.

In business for over fifty years, this longstanding and historic café serves coffee as well as pastries freshly baked in house, including scones and its own original spicy chiffon cake. The coffee comes with honey, a healthy sweetener. The café’s charming interior is also a feast for the eyes, with elegant furnishings such as plush antique sofas and stained-glass decorations, as well as views of seasonal scenery in the courtyard. Despite its classic retro atmosphere, smoking-sensitive patrons will be pleased to know that this is a smoking-free establishment. Note that only cash payment is accepted.

As you might be able to guess from its name, this establishment has two different operating styles, opening as a café during the daytime but transforming into a bar at night. With a menu supervised by the chef of the super-popular bakery “Pain des Philosophes” in Tokyo’s Kagurazaka neighborhood, the lunchtime offerings include fluffy soufflé-style pancakes, a hamburger with a handmade bun topped with a caramelized Aomori apple slice, Aomori apple French toast, croque monsieur, and a roast beef bowl with Aomori beef. The Aomori apple ginger ale (served hot or cold) is a popular drink choice. In the evening, enjoy dinner options such as apple crepes as well as a variety of cocktails, wine, and whiskey. The café’s stylish interior is the work of the internationally renowned interior designer Yasumichi Morita.

This café and roastery specializes in flannel-drip coffee made with carefully selected beans roasted right on the premises, including its own original dark-roasted house blend, as well as cute custard puddings and other food options. An extensive selection of fresh coffee beans with a variety of roasts is also available for purchase, so that customers can enjoy delicious coffee at home or even gift coffee beans to their friends and family. The café’s wood-furnished interior gives it a warm ambience.

Located inside a renovated traditional Japanese house that once served as an inn, this café only a few minutes from Asamushi-Onsen Station has a historic but homey atmosphere. The interior of the approximately century-old building is decorated with antiques and retro furnishings that will make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time. But the café’s menu is far from outdated, featuring popular lunch dishes made with local ingredients like “taco rice” topped with a poached egg cooked in the hot-spring water of Asamushi Onsen. For dessert, you won’t want to miss the colorful Japanese-style matcha parfaits packed with red beans, fruit, and lots of mochi.

Operating hours and closings may be subject to change, so be sure to check the websites or social media accounts of cafés before visiting. We hope a coffee break in a relaxing environment will add even more enjoyment to your Aomori trip.