Kita no Isu to

‘Kita No Isu To’ instagram.com/kitanoisuto_cafe/ is a lovely furniture shop and cafe combined in Kobe’s Port area. The cafe sits along the Shin River in an industrial area, a 12-minute walk from either Misakikoen Station or Wadamisaki Station on the Kaigan Line. The cafe can be a little tricky to find as sits hidden behind a parking garage at the end of a dead-end street however the warehouse can be recognized by its copper rose colored corrugated metal exterior. With the large shutter open, visitors get an immediate view of the interior, chock-full of lovely vintage furniture.

Kita No Isu To opened in 2013 and sells Scandinavian vintage furniture and general goods from the 1950s and 60s, including brands like Royal Copenhagen, ARABIA, and Michael Andersen. They also offer furniture renovation and upholstering services. The building has two floors, with larger furniture pieces on the ground floor and ceramics, light fixtures, other small goods, and the cafe on the second floor.

In the cafe space, refurbished vintage Scandinavian furniture is arranged in a spacious setting that retains the appearance of a lumber mill, providing a relaxing atmosphere. At Kita No Isu To, they learn from and incorporate the best practices of their contracted farmers and local producers who strive to produce quality products. This includes using organic and chemical-free vegetables whenever possible, pasteurized milk, and bacon that is not treated with chemicals. They also use natural salt, non-GMO rapeseed oil, and sweeteners like beet sugar and maple syrup, which don’t cool the body.

The menu consists of a daily lunch plate (curry, sandwich, or various options), American waffles, or meat pie. There are also homemade sweets, including a selection of cakes and pudding. The cafe has a cozy, relaxing atmosphere ideal for families and kids.

Kita No Isu To is a great place to visit for an outing, combining furniture shopping with a relaxing lunch. A visit is highly recommended.