鷲尾★ジロー
"I want to enjoy cafes too, even as an older man!" Shiojiro, who usually only eats ramen, suddenly became interested in cafe culture. In this 19th edition, I will report on cafes in Sapporo and its surrounding areas from an older man's perspective. This time, let's take a look at "Miyakoshiya Coffee Toyohira Store" in Toyohira, Sapporo.
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If you want to enjoy a leisurely cup of tea in a cafe renovated from old-fashioned stone warehouses and storehouses, there are many cafes in Sapporo where you can do just that. Miyakoshiya Toyohira Store is one of those places. When I thought of a cafe using Sapporo soft stones, this was the first place that came to mind. I visited Miyakoshiya, a representative coffee shop in Sapporo.
Location: 4-5 Toyohira, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo. After passing the Kikusui/Asahiyama Park intersection on Route 36 towards Chitose, take the next right turn. The stone warehouse cafe is located there. Interestingly, across from the cafe is the former Toyohira Village Office, which is said to be the starting point of Hiragishi Street. It's a place full of history.
Parking: Available. The number of spaces is not specified, but I believe more than 10 cars can be parked.
Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Closed: Irregular holidays
About the Shop: Miyakoshiya Coffee is a leading coffee shop in Hokkaido. The predecessor of Miyakoshiya was the Miyakoshiya Ryokan, which opened in 1923 at Kita 2 Nishi 3 in front of Sapporo Station. The founder's grandson, Yoichi Miyakoshi, completed his training at the Tokyo coffee specialty shop "Cafe Ansenidunguru" and became the manager of the shop's Sapporo branch in 1983. Later, he became independent and opened Cafe Anfini in Enzan Urasando in 1985. In 1991, he started selling his own roasted coffee beans under the name "Miyakoshiya Coffee." Currently, including affiliate stores, they have 14 stores in Hokkaido, 8 stores in Sendai and Tokyo. The Toyohira store probably opened around 2006. The building was originally built in 1927 as a warehouse for Katayama Sake Brewery. It was later used as a Chinese restaurant called "Yoshiya" before being utilized as "Miyakoshiya Coffee Toyohira Store."
Cafe Genre: Traditional house, stone warehouse, retro, chain
Atmosphere: The building's heavy and traditional stone warehouse appearance has a strong presence. The surface of the exterior walls is marked with diagonal lines, a characteristic of Sapporo soft stones. The entrance seems to have been added later, as the type of stone used appears to be different. The store name "Ki" is carved on the front. It seems to have come from the name of the wife of Katayama Sake Brewery. The interior is dimly lit, but the natural light and indirect lighting create a calm atmosphere. The exposed beams and soft stone walls give a rough yet pleasant feeling. The exterior is beautifully lit up at night, providing a spectacular view.
Customer Base: Anyone is welcome regardless of gender or age. You can enjoy a cup of coffee in a mature space with a relaxed atmosphere. However, smoking is allowed inside, so it may be challenging for those who dislike the smell of cigarettes.
Menu: [Drinks] Coffee, tea, cocoa, juice, beer, etc. [Food/Dessert] Toast, cakes, etc.
Order Blend/Mild: 660 yen. The house blend comes in two types, French and Mild. The Mild blend has a rich yet soft taste that is easy to drink.
Hospitality: ★★★☆☆ The staff's service is smooth and likable.
Hidden Gem Level: ★★★☆☆ Located along Route 36 with heavy traffic, so it lacks the element of being a hidden gem. Many people may be aware of the shop's existence.
Older Man's Comfort Level: ★★☆☆☆ I sat on the second floor, where the seats are separated, allowing for a relaxed atmosphere. Drinking a slightly bitter coffee on an old wooden table surrounded by Sapporo soft stone walls is truly delicious, if only there wasn't secondhand smoke. A bit disappointing.
Overall Impression: Miyakoshiya Toyohira Store is a cafe full of history and charm. Enjoy a cup of coffee in a traditional stone warehouse setting and experience the essence of Sapporo's coffee culture.