nicop
Located a 4-minute walk from Higashi-Ginza, if you head towards Shintomicho behind Kabuki-za, you will find a hidden gem in a secluded alley surrounded by weathered tin-roofed buildings. The small renovated establishment on the first floor has become a favorite of mine, as I ended up visiting two weeks in a row. They offer 9 varieties of hand drip coffee, with the barista asking for your preference and explaining the characteristics of each coffee. The thrill of choosing a coffee leads to such a rich and fulfilling experience. Today, I decided on the natural cultivation bean from Uganda for 650 yen, described as a well-rounded medium roast with mild acidity. I sat on a cozy wooden bench and waited as the sound of beans being ground filled the air. In a few minutes, my coffee in a teacup arrived. It was my first time having coffee in a teacup, and it was filled generously but not too hot to hold. The amount was similar to Starbucks' short size. This coffee perfectly matched my taste, with a delightful aroma and great taste. It warmed both my body and soul, soothing me with its gentle and delicious flavor. The cafe also offers two types of lattes and three levels of espresso intensity to choose from. They have oat milk, soy milk, almond milk, and more as milk options. I tried the Soy Latte for 630 yen and the Bon Gen Latte Rich (4 times the amount of espresso) for 860 yen, both of which were delicious in their own way. The quantity was similar to Starbucks' tall size. They also have hojicha, matcha, amazake soy milk, black honey kinako latte, hot chocolate, orange juice, affogato, and ice cream sandwiches, among others. I was impressed by the variety of items on the menu. The combination of the Goldilocks ice cream sandwich for 400 yen and the drip coffee (Uganda again) was a delightful marriage, with the cute Goldilocks being a delicious vanilla ice cream sandwich. The two times I visited, I was served by different male staff members, both of whom exuded a sincere and dignified demeanor, earning high favorability. I shared a table with elegant older female regulars both times, enjoying casual conversations as background music on the veranda. Despite the influx of young customers, the serene atmosphere remained undisturbed, allowing for a relaxing and enjoyable coffee time.