During the Edo period (1603 – 1868), the Shogunate established a highway between Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto, placed with 69 post towns. Among these, Okuwa village had two post towns: Suhara as the 39th and Nojiri as the 40th. In these areas, many ancient houses still remains at the roadside.
Coffee Katana is a coffee house that breathes new life into one of these historical houses in Nojiri. founded in 2020 by Mr. and Ms. Endate. They took its name from the Katana sword since the family business of the house was a blacksmith in the ancient time.
With their passion for motorcycling, they proudly display their bikes to the left of the entrance, which attract many riders from all over Japan.
Upon entering, you’re greeted by a counter to the right.
Here, Emi Endate serves you a aromatic coffee in a cup with traditional Japanese lacquer, Urushi.
Beside the counter is a table with four chairs. An old Kimono is displayed, which is replaced as a season is changed.
Beyond this lies two Tatami-mat rooms, where the outer room has an antique table lacquered by Urushi.
In the inner room, a large table cut out of a natural wood sits alongside an alpenhorn, handcrafted by a local lumber company in Okuwa village.
The hallway reaches to a backyard, which has an aged storehouse or Kura in Japanese at the inner most. In the past, valuables were kept there.
Due to the many travelers keen on tracing the footsteps of the historical post towns, Katana offers menus in both Japanese and English.
For lunch, I’m sure a turkey breast and ham sandwich, or a roast beef sandwich will satisfy you.
As a today’s special, cakes are available daily. I particularly enjoy the Kajiya blend coffee with a chestnut cake as a break.
In evening, Katana reopens as a bar serving a variety of alcohol drinks.
Every Friday, I start my evening with a cocktail then enjoy a crispy, rich cheese-flavored pizza with a glass of beer.
I enthusiastically encourage you to visit Katana whenever you’re in the village.
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