The local cafe owner’s dog, Latte, is seen curled up in his favorite spot.
Before arriving in Japan, I had only lived in the suburbs of the San Francisco Bay Area, where I grew up, or my rural college town, so moving to the center of Tokyo for my exchange program was quite the change. Nevertheless, among the bustling streets of Tokyo, I have found a small comfort in small, hidden cafes and restaurants that provide a respite from the crowds. In particular, I find joy in small businesses run solely by their owners, a rare thing where I grew up. There is something so special about spaces curated by individuals that show their personal tastes, personalities, and stories. A personal touch makes a space feel warm, something that I don’t believe can be achieved by a corporate chain store.
One of my favorite spaces has been a cafe close to my university, tucked away between buildings. Entering the cafe feels like entering someone’s home. The walls are decorated with paintings and personal photos of the owner’s dog, Latte. Latte, a well-mannered schnauzer, can usually be found lounging on sofa chairs or greeting guests. The specials of the day are written on a blackboard, and the owner welcomes guests with a warm smile. The cafe offers vegan options, and my all-time favorite menu items are the plate of the day and the brown rice latte.
Finding a personal connection
The author’s usual, a brown rice latte.
One day, I was feeling very homesick. Missing my parents and the sense of belonging that comes with being in one’s home country, I stopped by the cafe for lunch. As usual, the space provided me with comfort. I’m not sure if the owner had sensed my sadness, but as I left, she accompanied me past the door and to the outside sidewalk with Latte in her arms, waving Latte’s paw as if to say goodbye. Although the gesture may not seem like much to some, to me, it made all the difference in lifting my mood. I felt very grateful to have become a regular somewhere, and in a way, found a sense of community even outside of school. This simple act of kindness reminded me how these small businesses create genuine human connections that larger establishments simply cannot replicate.
The message I would like to pass on to locals in Japan is not to take for granted the shop owners who are a vital part of the community, and the connection and comfort that comes from being a customer at a personalized business. When you can, I encourage you to support your local small business and become a part of their community. These spaces preserve local character, foster genuine relationships, and provide gathering places for community members.
(By Karina Quinn)
Profile:
Karina Quinn
Karina Quinn was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area by her American father and Japanese mother. Growing up in a bilingual household, she was strongly influenced by her multicultural background, and says she feels extremely lucky to have been able to grow up in the United States but still have the opportunity to visit Japan every year. She is currently a student at the University of California, Davis, studying international relations and Japanese. For the past year, she has been an exchange student at Waseda University’s School of International Liberal Studies.
(This is Pt. 3 of a series. Subsequent parts will be published intermittently.)
AloJapan.com