Retro Cafes in the Asahikawa area! 10 popular spots where you can relax

Photograph:マシケンぐるめ徒然日記

This retro cafe stands on a side street just off Midoribashi-dori, a 3-minute walk from Asahikawa Station. Founded in 1939, it is known as the oldest kissaten (traditional Japanese cafe) in Asahikawa.

The interior still keeps the feel of when it first opened, and the space has counter and table seating for a relaxed visit.

Photograph:あやめん1238

The standard "blend coffee" is an original made with 100% specialty coffee beans. Another nice point is that you can choose your preferred roast, from light to dark.

It is known for its fruity aroma and the pleasant balance of bitterness and acidity. You can also enjoy how the flavor changes over time.

Photograph:スーパーくまっくす

The photo shows the "doban-yaki (copper griddle-baked) fluffy ricotta pancakes." The freshly baked batter made with ricotta cheese is said to have a moist yet light texture.

It comes with banana, honey nut butter, fresh cream, and maple syrup, and is popular for being enjoyable all the way to the last bite without getting boring.

Photograph:ブルーブルー３４

This retro cafe opened in 1979 as Hokkaido’s first senmon-ten (specialty shop) for black tea. The spacious interior feels open and has a calm atmosphere.

It also has an appealing barrier-free design with table seating. The cafe is located a 6-minute drive from Asahikawa-Yojo Station, along the Asahikawa Asahidake Onsen Line.

Photograph:ちろぐる

Starting with straight tea, they offer a wide variety of black tea options. Sets paired with scones and sandwiches are also popular.

Since the tea is served in a pot, you can slowly enjoy its aroma and flavor. Their afternoon tea is also recommended, perfect for a luxurious tea time.

Photograph:どらぐるる

The photo shows the "Devil Cake Set." It is a plate with a rum flavored cake served with ice cream. You can choose either Ceylon Orange Pekoe or Earl Grey for the tea.

The slightly bitter chocolate cake, rich ice cream, and fragrant tea are said to make an excellent combination.

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A retro cafe located along Ichiban-dori, a 5-minute drive from Nagayama Station. It is run by a company that designs and builds exteriors.

Inside, the space has a classic feel surrounded by antiques, and the garden is said to be filled with a wide variety of plants and flowers. It also has terrace seating, making it a great place to relax and take your time.

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The drinks focus on coffee and tea, and the menu also offers a wide range of meals and sweets. The "Hamburger Steak" in the photo is a satisfying plate served with a fried egg, spaghetti salad, and rice.

The juicy meat flavor goes well with the teriyaki sauce, and it is said to be a hearty and filling dish.

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Among the sweets, the soft serve is said to be popular. The most notable is the "MIX soft serve," which combines vanilla and coffee.

It has a rich yet clean finish. The full aroma of coffee spreads nicely, making it a great choice for dessert after a meal.

Photograph:カワイ・ネガティ部

This retro cafe, established in 1986, is a 5-minute drive from Asahikawa Station. When you step inside, you are greeted by the rich aroma of house-roasted coffee beans.

The nostalgic and relaxing interior offers counter and table seating.

Photograph:とっとこママたろう

The standard favorite is the "B・BROWN Curry," made with Hokkaido pork. It is a dish that has kept the same taste since the restaurant first opened.

The spiced curry sauce stands out for its deep richness and faint sweetness. It comes with bacon, sausage, and potatoes on the side, and people say it is filling and satisfying.

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The “blend coffee” has a good balance of bitterness and body, with mild acidity that makes it easy to drink.

Many people also order it as an after meal cup. The “iced coffee” is another recommended choice.

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This retro cafe stands along Kamui-dori-sen, about 8 minutes by car from Asahikawa Station. The red-painted exterior walls and entrance door are its landmark.

Inside, traditional furnishings such as kiri-dansu (paulownia chest of drawers) and a record player are arranged throughout the space. It has counter seats, table seats, and sofa seats, making it a relaxing place to unwind.

Photograph:⭐️たんぽぽ⭐️

The food menu has a lineup of hearty dishes. The popular “esukaroppu (Nemuro-style pork cutlet butter rice)” is a plate of butter rice topped with thinly sliced tonkatsu (pork cutlet) and finished with demi-glace sauce.

It is known as a local specialty that originated in Nemuro, and is said to be outstanding for the rich butter and savory sauce coming together.

Photograph:⭐️たんぽぽ⭐️

"Napolitan (Japanese ketchup pasta)" is also one of the classic menu items. It is a plate of pasta with wieners, onions, and green peppers brought together with ketchup sauce.

Despite its simplicity, it has a deep flavor, and many people come back for it. They also offer a Large size for an additional charge.

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A 3-minute drive from Shin-Asahikawa Station, this retro cafe is marked by a sign that reads “An old-fashioned coffee shop.”

Founded in 1974, this house-roasted coffee shop has a calm interior that preserves a good old-fashioned feel. It offers counter and table seating, and it is also barrier-free.

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The coffee recommendations change daily. The standard Arabigo is an original blend based on coffee beans from Brazil.

It has a well-balanced flavor with sweetness, acidity, and bitterness. It comes with whipped cream, which adds a gentle sweetness.

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They also offer a full lineup of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, as well as sweets. The "Arabigo Bento" in the photo is a popular weekday-only menu item.

Packed with daily changing side dishes, it is a satisfying meal. It is also nice that it comes with miso soup.

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A 3-minute drive from Kaguraoka Station, this retro cafe stands in a corner of a residential neighborhood. The interior is decorated with the green of houseplants, creating a calm and relaxing space.

It offers both counter and table seating, with a wide range of menu items from meals to sweets.

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Available only from Saturday to Monday, with just 10 servings a day, the "Sebastian Hamburger Steak" is one dish you do not want to miss. Steaming and grilling it with brandy gives it a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Reviews also praise it as juicy and excellent. You can choose either demi-glace sauce or Japanese-style grated daikon sauce.

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They also offer a wide selection of sweets. The photo shows the "Mocha Parfait," made with house-made coffee jelly layered with vanilla and mocha ice cream and fresh cream.

With a nice balance of mild bitterness and sweetness, it is popular as a grown-up dessert that lets you fully enjoy the flavor of coffee.

Photograph:ブルーブルー３４

A retro cafe run by a tea shop founded in 1909. At night, they also serve tea beer and cocktails, making this a great place to spend a relaxing time in the quiet interior.

It is located a 10-minute walk from Asahikawa Station, along Heiwa-dori Kaimono Koen (Heiwa Shopping Park), the pedestrian-only street.

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The matcha (powdered green tea) is one drink you will definitely want to try. It is said to have a nicely balanced finish, with just the right astringency and bitterness along with a soft, mellow quality. It is also nice that you can choose it hot or iced.

People say that pairing it with sweet wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) brings out the rich taste of the matcha even more.

Photograph:グルメハンター・酔いどれ天使

They also offer a light meal menu, with a good selection of drink sets. The standard "Toast Set" comes with thick cut toast served with jam, a boiled egg, and salad.

If you drizzle the honey on the table over it, it adds a gentle sweetness and richness, so you can enjoy a different flavor.

Photograph:ミノムッチ

This retro cafe is about a 9-minute walk from Asahikawa Station, near Heiwa-dori Kaimono Koen (Heiwa Shopping Park). Inside, there is a roasting room, and the rich aroma of coffee beans fills the air.

The space decorated with cat photos also leaves an impression. There are counter seats and sofa seating, making this a place where you can relax at ease.

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The light meal menu is also extensive, with a full lineup of items you would expect from a kissaten (traditional Japanese coffee shop). The photo shows a set with jam toast and coffee.

The thick cut toast is soaked with plenty of butter, which goes very well with the sweetness of the strawberry jam. Another nice touch is that the coffee comes in a generous size.

Photograph:うりんこ。

The food menu is known for filling dishes like Hamburger Steak and pasta. One classic favorite is the "Napolitan".

This dish features medium-thick noodles boiled on the softer side and finished with a rich ketchup sauce. The sauce coats the fish sausage and vegetables well, making it a taste you will want again.

Photograph:ブルーブルー３４

A 5-minute drive from Asahikawa-Shijo Station, this retro cafe, founded in 1978, stands along a stretch of the Asahikawa-Asahidake Onsen Sen.

Inside, old books and mahjong tables create an atmosphere where time seems to pass slowly. It is a calm space with counter and table seating.

Photograph:流浪の剣客

What they serve is a classic old-school kissa menu. The coffee is poured generously, which is part of the charm and lets you relax and enjoy it at an easy pace.

Another nice touch is that when you order a drink or food, it comes with a complimentary baked sweet. It is well liked as a place where you can spend a calm cafe time with a treat by your side.

Photograph:健ちゃん0806

Among the sweets, the parfait is said to be especially popular. This dish is filled to the brim of the glass with ice cream, fruit, and whipped cream.

While it looks quite substantial, the whipped cream has a light sweetness that makes it easy to enjoy.