poem

Tucked into a side street just south of Araiyakushi-mae Station, poem is a kissaten where guests can unhurriedly savor their coffee as the early light fills the room. For morning service starting at 8:30, thick-cut toast can be paired with drinks like a dark French roast, prized for its pronounced body and clean bitterness. The fluffy, freshly toasted bread can be finished with toppings such as cheese, egg, or fruit jam, and the aroma of browned crust makes for a calming start to the day.

A major draw of the shop is the impressive breadth of its coffee lineup, which stretches far beyond single-origins and house blends. Guests can choose from specialty preparations suited to any mood, including Wiener mélange topped with whipped cream, hot mocha Java melted with sweet chocolate, and rich cups sweetened from below with dark muscovado sugar. For warmer days, iced coffee floats topped with ice cream and generous mugfuls of cold brew provide refreshing alternatives.

Come midday and afternoon, tables fill with toasted sandwiches stuffed with ham and cheese or corned beef, alongside classic cheesecake and coffee jelly crowned with vanilla ice cream. Counter stools and tables sit amid a quiet, relaxed atmosphere, providing an easy retreat for reading a book or newspaper alone. Note that the shop is cash-only and closes at 18:00 in the evening, making it a peaceful daytime haven to pause during a neighborhood walk.