Ueshima Coffee House - Shinsaibashi

After finishing my traditional Japanese breakfast at Nakau, I decided to take a leisurely walk through the quiet streets of Shinsaibashi. The morning air was cool and refreshing, and the city was just beginning to stir. As I wandered, I found myself craving a good cup of coffee to complement the peaceful start to the day.

Not long into my stroll, I came across a charming café with a distinctly Japanese aesthetic—warm wooden tones, elegant signage, and a cozy atmosphere visible through the large windows. It was Ueshima Coffee House, a well-regarded Japanese café chain originally founded in Kobe. Something about its appearance felt welcoming and refined, so I stepped inside.

Ueshima Coffee House (上島珈琲店, Ueshima Kōhīten) is part of Japan’s long-standing UCC (Ueshima Coffee Company) brand, known for pioneering Western-style coffee culture in Japan since the 1930s. With its origins rooted in Kobe, UCC introduced the country’s first canned coffee and has grown into a household name. The café chain reflects the brand’s legacy—offering a blend of Western-style comfort with Japanese service and precision.

I decided to try their morning set, a popular offering across many Japanese cafés. It included a cup of strong, aromatic black coffee—served in a classic porcelain cup—and a thick slice of buttery toast, crisp on the outside and fluffy within. The simplicity of the meal was its strength: perfectly balanced and elegantly presented.

Sitting by the window with my coffee in hand, watching Shinsaibashi slowly come to life, I felt a moment of calm. It was one of those small yet memorable experiences that quietly define a trip—the unexpected joy of discovering a place with soul and history.