Kissa Banco

Kissa Banco (instagram.com/kissa_banco) is a café located in Minami Awaji City on Awaji Island, which opened on April 8, 2023. The café occupies a renovated building that formerly served as the Anaga branch of Awaji Shinkin Bank. With its historic exterior preserved, the building retains a nostalgic charm that reflects the area’s past. Located along the main road that runs through the small town, the café faces the ocean and is partially surrounded by nature, offering a balanced setting of local life and natural scenery.

The interior features a simple yet warm design that makes extensive use of natural wood. Large windows allow soft natural light to enter the space, creating a bright and cozy ambiance. The interior of Kissa Banco reflects the vision of Mr. Hiroo Nakao, who was inspired to repurpose the former credit union building upon learning of its closure. Aiming to revitalize the local fishing town, he closed his well-regarded lunch box shop “SHIKON” in Fukura to open an accommodation above the café, limited to one group per day. The guest rooms are furnished with rare vintage pieces he collected during his time in the apparel industry, resulting in a cave-like space with a carefully curated aesthetic. On the café’s first floor, the interior features warm wooden elements and a striking curved kitchen counter. Other notable details include a vintage folding bench upholstered with William Morris fabric, which adds to the nostalgic yet refined atmosphere. The design also incorporates traditional local elements such as “Dan tiles” from Awaji City and “total tiles” from Minami-Awaji City, blending them with rare designer furniture and modern aesthetics curated by the founder, who previously worked in the apparel industry.

Kissa Banco’s menu includes a delightful blend of Western and Japanese breakfast influences centered around their toast offerings. Their “TOAST” section features various tempting options including classic butter toast, sugar-butter toast, aromatic cinnamon toast, and several gourmet variations with cheese, ham, and egg combinations, all served with salad. Accompanying these toast selections is an extensive beverage menu divided into Coffee, Tea, Soft Drink, Float, and Hand Made Syrup categories. Coffee choices range from standard brews to cappuccinos and specialty lattes, while the tea selection includes traditional options like matcha and hojicha in both hot and iced versions. Their handmade syrups add a unique touch, with specialty options like Ginger Ale, Lemon Squash, and their newly released Naru Tonic providing refreshing alternatives to standard café beverages.

Kissa Banco combines local tradition, thoughtful design, and a carefully curated menu to create a welcoming space for both residents and visitors. The café serves as a gathering place for the community and a pleasant stop for those exploring Awaji Island.