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Nagoya Coffee Scene Top Cafes Breakfasts and Culture Explored

China AI Search186 min readxiaohongshu
#Nagoya coffee#Japan travel#Coffee culture#Specialty cafes#Nagoya breakfast#Hand drip coffee#Cafe hopping#Japanese coffee

Nagoya, Japan, a city often celebrated for its rich history and unique local cuisine, also boasts a vibrant and diverse coffee culture that's capturing the hearts of travelers and locals alike. Our recent deep dive into social media content from XiaoHongShu, a popular Chinese lifestyle platform, reveals an enthusiastic exploration of Nagoya's coffee scene, from its specialty roasters to its unique breakfast traditions.

The original query, "名古屋咖啡" (Nagoya coffee), unearthed 16 engaging posts, painting a comprehensive picture of what makes this city a must-visit for coffee lovers. These posts highlight a blend of modern specialty shops, historic cafes, and the city's distinctive morning service culture.

The Rise of Specialty Coffee: A Connoisseur's Delight

Nagoya is home to a burgeoning specialty coffee scene, with several roasters and cafes earning high praise for their exquisite beans and expert brewing techniques. Among the most frequently mentioned are Glitch Coffee & Roasters, TRUNK COFFEE, and IMOM COFFEE.

Glitch Coffee & Roasters, originally from Tokyo, has established itself as a must-visit spot in Nagoya. Posts describe it as a popular destination for coffee enthusiasts, known for its high-quality single-origin beans and light to ultra-light roasting styles that emphasize the bean's natural floral and fruity notes. Visitors rave about the wide selection of beans from various countries and processing methods, often presented with detailed flavor profiles like jasmine, peach, or berries. The Nagoya branch, conveniently located near Nagoya Station, is described as having a sleek, modern industrial design, resembling a "coffee laboratory." It’s even situated in the same building as a 9h capsule hotel, offering a unique stay-and-sip experience. Many users highlighted the option to smell the beans before choosing, the availability of both hot and iced pour-overs, and the opportunity to purchase coffee beans and local Japanese brewing equipment, like 常滑烧 (Tokoname ware). Some posts even note its status as an "Asia Top 50" coffee shop, emphasizing its strong reputation. Yet, some found it pricey. GLITCH COFFEE & ROASTERS Nagoya Nagoya|4家很推荐一喝的咖啡

TRUNK COFFEE also stands out as a local favorite, described as a "must-drink local famous store" with reliable bean quality. One post specifically praises their Ethiopian beans, noting a delightful fruit juice aroma and a clean taste with balanced acidity and bitterness. The cafe is portrayed as cozy and comfortable, inviting repeat visits. 名古屋好喝咖啡1.0 『Trunk coffee』

IMOM COFFEE is lauded for its clean and bright design, offering various coffee combos and even simple meals. Posts mention specific origins like Guatemala, with notes of cherry, and a good yellow fruit flavor in their milk coffee. ☕️|名古屋咖啡合集

Other notable specialty cafes include Q.O.L COFFEE BREWERS, which has won awards and offers unique, clean, and sweet hand-drip coffees, and Watashidakeno Coffee Fushimi, praised for its stylish decor, in-house roasted beans, and clear flavor profiles. AND PLUS is highlighted as a low-key community spot where customers can select beans based on their taste preferences, offering a cozy, living-room-like atmosphere. 名古屋🇯🇵|从咖啡店到咖啡店☕️(附地址)

CELESTIE COFFEE ROASTERY is deemed one of Nagoya's most design-forward cafes, with top-tier equipment and a striking two-story concrete space featuring a visible roasting room. Its fresh, bubbling pour-overs and reasonably priced beans make it a popular choice. Ito Coffee draws attention for its distinctive square coffee cups and toast, offering delicious Japanese dark-roasted coffee. Meanwhile, Mart is a hidden gem in a residential area, known for its unique Matsuya-style bar and a waitlist even on weekday afternoons. 🇯🇵日本 | 名古屋必去的5家咖啡店☕

Nagoya's Iconic Morning Service: A Culinary Tradition

Perhaps the most unique aspect of Nagoya's coffee culture is its famous "morning service" (モーニングサービス). This local tradition, usually offered before 10:30 or 11:00 AM, allows customers to receive complimentary toast, boiled eggs, or other food items when they order a drink. It's more than just a discounted meal; it's a beloved social ritual for locals. XiaoHongShu users emphasize that it's a must-try experience, often involving delicious accompaniments like red bean paste, egg salad, or various jams and butter on toast. The most iconic is the "Ogura Red Bean Toast" (小倉トースト), a sweet and savory delight.

Several cafes are celebrated for their morning service:

  • Coffee house KAKO (花車本店): An institution since 1972, known for its retro ambiance and popular "jam butter toast + black coffee" combo. Despite its simple coffee, the unique fruit and cream toast is a standout. It's so popular that queues form early. 名古屋24小时|打卡车站附近的3家咖啡店☕️
  • Komeda Coffee (コメダ珈琲店): A ubiquitous chain founded in 1968 with over a thousand branches across Japan, and even in Shanghai and Hong Kong. It's a reliable choice for morning service, offering a drink with toast and a boiled egg. Users praise its family-friendly atmosphere and consistent quality. 放弃酒店用餐,名古屋的早餐要这样吃!
  • Tsubame Bread & Milk (天然酵母): Located near Nagoya Station, this popular spot is famous for its natural yeast bread. Its morning service offers Ogura red bean toast or butter toast with honey. It often sees long queues, especially for dine-in, though takeout is quicker. 名古屋必打卡Top3早餐店☕️🍞
  • Kato Coffee (加藤珈琲店): Said to be a favorite of author Haruki Murakami, this cafe is known for its hand-drip coffee and the classic red bean cream toast. It attracts long lines, but reservations or takeout options can bypass the wait. 名古屋|村上春树书中的咖啡馆开启1986年
  • Karasu珈琲処: This cafe exudes a charming Showa-era (Japanese retro) vibe and is featured in the popular TV show Kodoku no Gourmet (Solitary Gourmet). Its unique red bean toast, with fresh cream instead of butter, offers a richer, sweeter taste. 藏在名古屋的昭和复古咖啡屋|五郎同款🥪

Historic Charm and Literary Connections

Beyond modern trends, Nagoya also cherishes its historic coffee houses that offer a nostalgic glimpse into Japan's past. Matsuya Coffee, founded in 1909, is a century-old brand that played a significant role in establishing modern Japanese coffee culture. Its Osu branch is described as having a strong Showa-era atmosphere, offering over 50 types of self-roasted beans, each clearly marked with bitterness, acidity, and aroma levels. Matsuya Coffee is also famous for developing the "Matsuya Drip Method" in the 1960s, a precise pour-over technique that involves specific pouring height and dwell time. ☕️日本百年咖啡Matsuya Coffee😍名古屋

Kato Coffee, as mentioned, gains extra allure from its purported connection to acclaimed author Haruki Murakami, drawing literary fans and coffee lovers alike. Its traditional hand-drip offerings and local specialties make it a cultural landmark.

The XiaoHongShu Lens: A Global Perspective

The XiaoHongShu posts often compare Nagoya's coffee shops to their counterparts in other major cities. For example, Blue Bottle Coffee (小蓝瓶) in Nagoya Station is mentioned as being familiar to those in Shanghai, with some noting that the Japanese version is actually more affordable and offers latte art, which was sometimes lacking in other Nagoya cafes. The brand 0566 Coffee Roastery, while explicitly named after Nagoya's area code (0566), is highlighted for its premium Japanese hand-drip style and beans, with a post noting its recent expansion into China via Shanghai investments, leading to discussions about its pricing and unique specialty offerings. ☕️:0566咖啡製作所

Key Takeaways for Your Nagoya Coffee Adventure

Based on these insights from XiaoHongShu, here’s what you should know when planning your Nagoya coffee journey:

  • Specialty Roasters: Don't miss Glitch Coffee, TRUNK COFFEE, and IMOM COFFEE for high-quality beans and diverse brewing experiences. Many offer coffee beans for purchase, perfect for souvenirs. 名古屋|4家很推荐一喝的咖啡
  • Morning Service: Embrace the local tradition! Visit Kako, Komeda, Tsubame Bread & Milk, or Kato Coffee early in the day for a unique breakfast experience, especially the Ogura Red Bean Toast. It’s a cultural immersion as much as a meal.
  • Historic Cafes: Explore Matsuya Coffee or Karasu珈琲処 for a taste of Showa-era nostalgia and traditional Japanese coffee culture.
  • Convenience: Many highly-rated cafes are conveniently located near Nagoya Station, making them easily accessible for travelers. Some offer easy takeout options if you're on a tight schedule.
  • Variety: From modern, minimalist spaces to cozy, retro interiors, Nagoya's cafes offer a diverse range of atmospheres to suit every preference.

Nagoya's coffee scene is a delightful blend of tradition and modernity, offering an array of experiences from discerning coffee connoisseurs to those simply seeking a charming spot for breakfast. So next time you're in the region, make sure to carve out time to explore the city's rich and aromatic coffee world. See the image gallery below for more visuals from these fantastic cafes!

Image Gallery

All images from the trending posts that inspired this article:


This article is based on trending content from XiaoHongShu. View the original search results and detailed analysis to explore the individual posts and community insights that inspired this piece.

37080 words14 imagesBased on 80 social media posts
Published: 1/7/2026