NAGANO 地球人 WORLD PEOPLE

The organic nature of culture, specially in this age of fast pace consumerism, never seems to surprise me. Culture is like a garden. Once you separate the weeds from the rare delicate flowers you will find there are too many species to take care of. Some flowers are destined to dry up while others come into bloom. But it is this variety that makes the garden look so beautiful. However, with little time to explore the whole garden, people tend to only pay attention to the prize winning roses and these soon branch out and take over the garden. Weaker plants, deprived of sun and water will begin to fade, and the garden will lose its charm. Such is the life of the coffee culture in Matsumoto.

Monk

open :: 9am ~ 9pm
closed :: monday
coffee :: ¥400
cake set :: ¥650
Long before the museum was built, long before the center for performing arts was built, Monk café has been brewing great coffee and playing great jazz for years. You might know your coffee beans from your azuki beans, but when it comes to coffee competence, Monk as what it takes. Rare blends, good food, mellow music and a change of pace are on offer in this antique filled café. It's probably the sole reason why this area became the arts quarters of the city in the first place.

Eonta

open :: 4:00am ~ 12:00pm
closed :: wednesday
coffee :: ¥450
cake set :: ¥750
Come alone, bring some ear plugs and an open mind. Leave your musical tastes at home and prepare to immerse yourself in the depths of hi fidelity sound. Sit by the speakers and watch ripples shock wave the surface of your black coffee as the base kicks in. Regardless where you sit, the inescapable force and fidelity captivates your mind in this dim and dark cozy jazz café. Some say its the heavy weight record collection that keeps the needle in the groove when the occasional tremor hits town.

Ajisai

weekday :: 7am ~ 7pm
weekend :: 10am ~ 6pm
coffee :: ¥400
cake set :: ¥650
Country-cottage styled family café popular with tourists going to-and-fro the Castle, literally just around the corner. This café boasts a great selections of cakes. You soon get that feeling when looking at the display... you just can't decide which one to have first. They all look so delicious!

Café Sanista

open :: 8:30am ~ 6:00pm
coffee :: ¥300
cake set :: ¥550
This café is best known for its location because I am yet to find someone who remembers what its called. Even so, Café Santista is a place you won't forget. Perhaps its the delicious coffee, or the fantastic shop, or even its unlikely location. Tucked somewhere just behind the 82 Bank in the city center, Café Santista brings you the best beans in Matsumoto with its wholesale like shop and a great variety of coffee paraphernalia.