Kissa Edaha

Kissa Edaha(instagram.com/kissa__edaha) is a small and cozy countryside café in Tanba-Sasayama, Hyogo, opened in April 2024 inside a renovated 100-year-old kominka in the Nishinono area. Surrounded by open fields and the quiet scenery of a traditional village the cafe is accessible by bus but with plenty of parking space a visit by car is recommended. The building stands out by combining a traditional Japanese house at the base, with dark wooden lattice screens and gray tile roofing, and a bold pyramidal roof above, finished in deep red metal panels with a triangular window at its peak. Despite its striking shape, a warm orange lantern, gravel forecourt, and simple wooden bench soften the design and create a calm, welcoming entrance.

Inside is a small yet airy café that seats around 12 people, creating an intimate and comfortable atmosphere. The dim, cozy interior combines traditional Japanese elements with a minimalist approach, using natural materials, hardwood furniture, and restrained decoration to bring out the character of the old house.

The layout is simple, with window counter seating and small tables for two near the entrance, and kitchen counter seating with an additional two-person table at the back, giving guests the choice to sit by the window, at an intimate table, or at the counter where they can chat with the friendly owners.

Coffee is at the heart of the experience: each cup is brewed by hand using a nel-drip method, emphasizing richness, depth, and aroma, and encouraging guests to slow down rather than rush through a visit.

The menu features house-roasted specialty coffee with single-origin options from Ethiopia (medium or dark roast), Yemen, and India, available hot or iced. Cafe au lait is made with oat milk, and there’s also Japanese black tea and apple juice. The sweets lean toward wholesome ingredients, carrot cake made with organic vegetables and rice flour, an amazake-infused gateau chocolat using plant-based ingredients, a light rice flour cheese souffle with maple syrup, a rum-laced coffee jelly for adults, and a classic steamed pudding available only on weekends and holidays.

Kissa Edaha is an intimate café that brings together specialty hand-brewed coffee, seasonal plant-based sweets, and the atmosphere of a restored kominka. With its limited seating and thoughtfully changing menu, it offers a quiet, unhurried experience for those willing to step slightly off the main route in search of a more reflective kind of café visit.