The Kissaten Revival: Young Fans of Retro Coffee Shops

Velvet booths, siphon coffee and cream soda are winning over a younger generation that wants slower, warmer places to spend an afternoon.

Published October 26, 2026 at 12:01 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: The kissaten revival is a growing interest among young Japanese in traditional Showa-era coffee shops. According to a January 2026 Semafor report citing the All Japan Coffee Association, kissaten fell from a peak of more than 155,000 in 1981 to roughly 60,000 by 2021, yet younger fans are now visiting, and some are opening shops of their own. Expect plush seating, hand-brewed coffee and nostalgic snacks.

Kissaten, the old-style Japanese coffee houses, were once an everyday part of city life, and for a time they seemed to be fading away. Now they are back in conversation, helped by social media, a taste for nostalgia and a wish for quieter places to sit. Readers ask about the revival because they want to know why it is happening, what makes these cafes different from modern chains, and how to enjoy one politely. This guide covers the history, the numbers, the appeal and practical tips.

What counts as a kissaten

A kissaten is a Japanese-style coffee shop, and the word literally means tea-drinking shop. Wikipedia explains that kissaten developed in the early twentieth century to set themselves apart from the cafes of the time, which had become lively places serving alcohol. They flourished from the 1920s as calmer, more refined spaces and became gathering spots for writers and thinkers.

Most kissaten are independently owned, and each has its own character. A feature in Yokogao magazine describes interiors with velvet booths, wood-paneled walls, patterned carpets, glass chandeliers and dim amber lighting. Music depends on the owner, from jazz to classical records to nothing at all.

A short look at the history

Coffee shops took root in Japan in the late nineteenth century. Wikipedia notes that the first Japanese cafe opened in Tokyo in 1888, and Yokogao adds that jazz kissaten became a trend in the 1930s, early in the Showa era. Ginza's Cafe de l'ambre, established in 1948, is one of the long-running names that still draws coffee lovers today.

Many kissaten also grew with the neighborhoods around them, serving office workers, students and regulars who came for the same table every morning. That sense of belonging is part of what younger visitors say they enjoy when they step inside, even if they have never lived through the era.

The numbers: from peak to rebound

Semafor reported in January 2026 that, according to All Japan Coffee Association estimates, the number of kissaten peaked in 1981 at more than 155,000. By 2021 it had fallen to roughly 60,000, largely because longtime owners aged and retired. Those figures are estimates, but they show how large the shift has been.

The same report describes a turn in the story: young Japanese who feel nostalgia for the Showa era, which ran from 1926 to 1989, are visiting kissaten in growing numbers, and some are opening traditional shops themselves. The report focuses on Tokyo, where the trend is easiest to see.

Why young people are drawn to them

Several reasons come up repeatedly in recent coverage. Semafor notes that visitors like the warm, plush interiors and the welcoming mood, and that many enjoy the photogenic decor. A Bridges Magazine article from August 2025 connects the trend to a broader Showa retro movement among Gen Z, which includes film cameras, cassette players and secondhand shopping, and describes it as a deliberate move toward slower, more tactile living.

Yokogao's feature says Gen Z is drawn to the retro look and finds comfort in a nostalgic past, and it presents slowing down over a hot cup as a counter to hustle culture. In other words, the kissaten offers something a quick takeout cup cannot: a place where nobody rushes you.

Young owners and the question of continuity

Some of the most interesting stories involve younger people taking over or starting kissaten. Semafor quotes a kissaten owner in a Japan Times article who says the interior can be kept when a shop passes to a younger owner, but passing on the original spirit is very difficult. That honest comment highlights the real task for the new generation: learning the habits, recipes and hospitality of the place, not only the look.

For visitors, this means that two kissaten with similar decor may feel quite different. One may emphasize careful siphon brewing, another a famous pudding, and another its long-time regulars. Spending a little time in each is part of the fun.

What to order

Classic kissaten menus include hand-drip coffee, siphon coffee, milk tea, sandwiches, Napolitan spaghetti and homemade cakes, according to Yokogao. The fun! JAPAN guide to Showa retro adds cream soda and pudding a la mode as menu staples in classic cafes. In Nagoya, Yokogao notes, many kissaten offer a morning set with coffee, toast and red bean paste at a low price.

Siphon coffee, brewed in a glass apparatus over a flame, is often as much a show as a drink. If you are unsure what to order, ask for the shop's recommended blend or the item the house is known for. Many regulars simply order a coffee and one sweet or savory plate.

Where to look

In Tokyo, Bridges Magazine mentions neighborhoods such as Koenji and Shimokitazawa for retro coffee shops, and those areas are known for vintage shopping and live music as well. Other major cities, including Nagoya, Osaka and Kyoto, also have long-established kissaten, and smaller towns often have a neighborhood place near the station.

Because many shops are small and independently run, opening hours and closing days vary. Check the shop's own page or social media account before you go, and consider visiting on a weekday or earlier in the day if you want a quieter seat.

Manners and practical tips

Kissaten are generally calm, so keep your voice low and your phone on silent. Order a drink or a set when you sit down, as the shop is a small business that relies on its tables. Linger comfortably, but be mindful of busy hours when others are waiting.

Rules about photography, laptops and smoking differ from shop to shop, so look for signs or ask politely. Menus may be in Japanese only, and some shops accept only cash, so bring a little to be safe. If you have allergies or dietary needs, ask staff about ingredients, since they vary by recipe and maker.

What to remember

The kissaten revival shows how a traditional space can find new life when a younger generation sees value in slowness and warmth. The decline from a peak above 155,000 shops shows why each one matters, and the newcomers show that the tradition can continue. Pick one with a menu you like, order something classic, and enjoy an hour that is meant to be unhurried.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are young Japanese people visiting kissaten again?

Reports point to nostalgia for the Showa era, warm and photogenic interiors, and a wish for slower, more personal places to spend time. A January 2026 Semafor report says many young visitors enjoy the welcoming atmosphere, while other coverage links the trend to a wider Showa retro movement that includes film cameras and vinyl records.

How many kissaten are there in Japan?

Semafor, citing All Japan Coffee Association estimates, reported that kissaten numbered more than 155,000 at their 1981 peak and roughly 60,000 by 2021. These are estimates, and the number continues to change as older shops close and new ones open, so treat them as a guide to the scale of the change.

What should visitors order at a kissaten?

Classic choices include hand-drip or siphon coffee, milk tea, Napolitan spaghetti, sandwiches, cream soda and pudding a la mode. Many kissaten also offer a morning set with toast. If you are unsure, ask staff what the shop is known for, and mention any allergies, since ingredients vary by shop.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Kissaten: Japan's Classic Coffee Shop Culture, Spaghetti Napolitan: A Kissaten Classic and Morning Set Service: Japanese Cafe Breakfast Deals.