Mitsumame Coffee Kurakuen Main Store

I was walking around the Kurakuen area in Nishinomiya when I suddenly felt like having a cup of coffee. I did a quick online search and found a café called Mitsumame Coffee, so I decided to check it out. Doesn’t the name “Mitsumame” just give off a cozy, comforting vibe? I was a bit tired from walking at the time, so I decided to go there without giving it much thought, just looking for a place where I could relax. But when I actually got there, it turned out to be a little different from what I’d imagined…

It has a real “secret hideout” vibe, making it perfect for when you want to relax in peace… This is Mitsumame Coffee Kurakuen Main Store

Mitsumame Coffee Kurakuen Main Store is located just north of Hankyu Kurakuen-guchi Station, in a quiet, peaceful spot along the Shukugawa River. It’s situated in the semi-basement of a small building housing several restaurants, so you can’t really see inside from the outside. I arrived around 10:35 that day, a few minutes after opening time. The entrance was unassuming, and the lighting was dim (partly because the building is designed to block out sunlight), so the moment I arrived, I wondered, “Is it even open yet?” Rather than “cozy,” words like “hideaway” or “secret hideout” seem to fit this place better.

But as soon as I stepped inside, I was immediately struck by the shop’s dedication to coffee. Right in front of me, as I walked in, stood a vintage German-made PROBAT ROASTER UG-22—just sitting there, dominating the space! Just seeing that alone makes you think, “Their commitment to coffee is no joke…” is it? At that point, I thought, “This place might not be your average coffee shop…” Past the roaster, in the back area, there are 16 seats in total, including four counter seats. You place your order at the register counter at the very back before taking a seat. The shop is incredibly quiet, so even though there’s no Wi-Fi or power outlets, it felt like the perfect spot to focus and get some work done on my laptop.

As I suspected, this place is no ordinary spot… How did the Dark Roast and Milk Cheesecake set I ordered at Mitsumame Coffee Kurakuen Main Store actually turn out?

So, let me introduce the coffee—the Dark Roast—and Milk Cheesecake set I ordered that day at Mitsumame Coffee Kurakuen Main Store. The dark roast is 680 yen (tax included) on its own, and the milk cheesecake is 590 yen (tax included) on its own, but if you order them as a set, the cheesecake is 200 yen off, making it a great deal…

About 10 minutes after placing my order, the coffee and cheesecake set was brought to my table. The coffee was poured right up to the very rim of the large coffee cup, and I felt like the staff member was going out of their way to serve me, which I really appreciated. 

Meanwhile, the cheesecake is topped with something that looks like whipped cream. Just the sight of it is enough to whet your appetite…

So, let’s start with the milk cheesecake… The moment I put it on my tongue, I thought, “Whoa!” Of course, there’s the richness of the cheese, but that refreshing tartness of the cheesecake is incredibly intense. Even though I say “intense,” it’s not at all unpleasant. It’s like a burst of refreshing sensation hits the tongue. I don’t think I’ve ever had a cheesecake with such an intense—or rather, rich—tartness (in a good way, of course). And the whipped cream on top of this cheesecake has no sweetness and a milky flavor, acting as a perfect counterbalance to the cheesecake’s rich tartness. Even with this generous amount of cream on top, the impact of the cheesecake’s tartness is firmly etched into the tongue and brain, so you just want to keep popping it into your mouth over and over again to experience that intense, refreshing sensation.

As for the coffee—a dark roast—that accompanies this cheesecake, contrary to its name, it’s mild in both bitterness and acidity, the kind you can drink down effortlessly. But it’s not just bland; there’s a certain soft, rounded gentleness to it. Is this the effect of that vintage German roaster? This coffee was the perfect way to reset the tartness of the cheesecake. With this cheesecake and coffee combo, I felt like I’d hit the jackpot for the first time in ages, and I left the shop feeling incredibly happy.

Purchase specialty coffee beans at our physical store or online shop… Mitsumame Coffee Kurakuen Main Store is a 6-minute walk from Kurakuen-guchi Station on the Hankyu Koyo Line, the nearest station.

Mitsumame Coffee also operates an online shop where you can purchase the owner’s carefully selected coffee beans. While the selection isn’t extensive, it includes whole beans, drip bags, and pre-packaged iced coffee, making it accessible even for those without their own coffee grinder. Of course, these products are also available at the physical store. Why not come experience the power of our vintage German roaster for yourself?

Here are the shop details…

P.S. Seeing the vintage roaster inside Mitsumame Coffee reminded me of this café in Kyoto…