I came to ToyoKuni Coffee - Nikai aiming for the first floor, but it was quite crowded. Maybe the second floor would be more relaxing... so I went back to Nikai, which opens at 3:00 PM. The atmosphere on the second floor is like a secret base or a retro hideaway. It has a slightly dim and nostalgic feel, reminding me of the second floor of an old sun-faded curtain-covered grandma's house. The orange striped curtains add to the grandma's house vibe. I tried the "Uganda Rwenzori" African coffee for the first time, and it was incredibly delicious. It has a deep roast with bitterness and strong sweetness. The sweetness is very pleasant. Maybe it's because it's washed? The aftertaste is somehow refreshing. Roasters who select and roast beans are truly amazing. There were various cakes like sweet potato cake and yuzu pound cake, but I decided to just have coffee this time since the pumpkin pudding I had last time was unbeatable. However, I enjoyed the wonderful aftertaste and the relaxing atmosphere. The first floor is run by the female owner, the second floor by her son (or older brother), and they recently rented a room next door to start a shop selling vintage items, old clothes, and sneakers (especially a wide variety of Converse shoes). The younger son is in charge of the shop, and both brothers have good looks and friendly personalities, making it a family-run business at ToyoKuni Coffee. The shop sells serious retro items collected from antique markets around the country. The entire building is a "Osaka heritage". ToyoKuni House is likely to attract more fans in the future.

After dinner on a liver-resting day, it's coffee time in the evening ☕️ There is a cafe in a traditional Japanese house in Miyakojima, open until 8 pm on the second floor, which is very convenient. I ordered the darkest roast blend, and the atmosphere inside the cafe makes you feel like you've traveled back in time. There are many retro items, creating the perfect space to enjoy coffee. I sat at a table in the back since the counter seats were full. I ordered the Timor blend (dark roast, 600 yen). The deep roast gives it a crushed bitterness, but it felt a bit light, maybe due to the small amount of beans. I prefer a stronger taste, even if it means a higher price. I wonder if fewer people prefer it stronger at this price point? I hope these traditional house cafes continue to thrive in Osaka. There are only a few left in the city. I'm also on Instagram @ginjirou.star.

Due to the state of emergency, the first-floor Toyokuni Coffee shop was only offering takeout service, so I visited the second-floor Nikai shop this time. The shop's unique atmosphere and specialty coffee were irresistible. You can enjoy the historic RC structure, similar to the famous Battleship Island, while savoring delicious coffee. Thank you for the meal!

It's overwhelming to know that there is a place like this in Osaka. The oldest reinforced concrete apartment building in Japan, built 89 years ago - Toyokuni House in Osaka City, Miyakojima! The building is two stories high, with a slightly lower roof, and it was carefully and sturdily constructed. It's a solid building that exudes a retro charm, different from a traditional Japanese house, a true old-fashioned gem. The ground floor of Building A, located on a corner lot, looks like a countryside grandma's house in a foreign country... that kind of atmosphere. You can tell they take pride in their home-roasted coffee. They also offer cookies, cakes, toast, sandwiches, and more. Due to the virus situation, only takeout and coffee bean sales are available on the ground floor for the time being. I've heard that the Japanese-style room, stained glass windows, and toilet on the ground floor are also lovely, but unfortunately, I couldn't see them... Inside the shop, retro goods, board games, tableware, books, and more are all displayed, creating a lively and chatty atmosphere. The person in charge seems to be a young, trendy man, rather than a woman, diligently assisting customers and recommending sample cakes when asked "Which cake do you recommend?" Now, when it comes to dark roast coffee, I usually go for Mandheling, but this time I chose "East Timor" (600 yen). Also, the "Smooth Pumpkin Cake - Pudding Style" (450 yen) that the staff mentioned tends to sell out quickly, was also ordered. This pumpkin cake was really good! Not too sweet, not overly mashed pumpkin fibers, not as smooth as pudding, but a good balance of smoothness and moisture. I loved it! I feel proud of my choice! The coffee is truly top-notch. Probably, this shop is most confident in selling coffee. East Timor coffee has a bitter yet clear aftertaste. Delicious. A place where you can slowly relax, with a mysterious charm that makes you reminisce about your childhood as an adult. That expression seems to fit perfectly. I must come back to try other cakes, chicken and burdock sandwich, toast, and more!

A 10-minute walk from the municipal subway "Toyoshima Station" in a residential area. A rare RC apartment building in Osaka's Toyoshima-ku, which is said to be the oldest in Japan in active use, dating back to 1932. On the first floor of "Toyokuni House" is "Toyokuni Coffee", and a sister shop with a different atmosphere on the second floor has opened. The sign reads "Adult-oriented space, seating for up to 2 people, children under 12 not allowed," and I visited in early November. Climbing a slightly steep staircase and opening the door, a young and smart man greeted me. There is a counter on the right side, a corner for dishes and miscellaneous goods, and table seats in the back, creating a completely different atmosphere from the cozy first floor. The modern sense blended into the old architecture gives a deeper sense of time and space than the first floor. The menu consists of drip coffee made from their own roasting, as well as sweets and cakes. The carefully dripped coffee was rich in flavor, and the homemade cookies (200 yen) that were recommended paired well with it. Looking around the store, there were many picturesque scenes, with natural light shining through the windows and time passing slowly. It was a memorable coffee break, feeling the nostalgia of the early Showa era. I learned that the women running the first floor are the owner's family, while the second floor is a new shop with different operating hours and days off. The male owner has a friendly and modern demeanor. Access is about a 10-minute walk from Toyoshima Station on the Osaka Metro, or a 2-minute bus ride on the 57/10/83 routes to Takakuracho 2-chome. With a concept of an adult-oriented space and a limit of 2 people, you can enter the second floor with your shoes on, experiencing a space where the valuable architecture of the early Showa era and the young owner's sense shine. It exudes a gentle and pleasant sense of time travel. Although it's a bit of a walk from Toyoshima Station, coffee lovers and cafe enthusiasts will find it worth a visit.