Behind a curved automatic door you can see a beautiful space.
16:42 JST, November 5, 2024
A sign with a Showa-era vibe hangs on a brick facade near the stairs.
Although the Ueno district of Tokyo’s Taito Ward is known for its museums, zoo and Ameyoko shopping street, coffee shops with a retro vibe are also a major draw. Opened in 1977, Coffee Shop Galant remains a favorite among the neighborhood’s long-standing cafes.
The interior is beautifully decorated to recreate the atmosphere of the Showa era (1926-1989), making customers feel like they are going back in time.
At the entrance to the coffee shop building, samples of the main drinks and dishes, including pizza toast, parfaits and Naporitan pasta, are displayed, whetting the appetite of customers.
The tartan check design of the employees’ uniforms has remained unchanged since the store opened
After ascending a stairwell beneath a beautiful sign pointing the way to the store on the second floor, customers pass through an arched automatic door, another distinctive feature of the store. Beyond the door is a large space, sparkling with light.
Items such as the chandeliers, lamps and leather sofas have been in use since the store opened, highlighting its long history.
Lamps and some other glassware items are custom made. Up close you can see that they all have a different pattern, showing the skilled work of artisans.
Nostalgia is evoked by the design of the tartan plaid employee uniforms, which has remained the same for more than 40 years.
I ordered the omurice (omelette rice), said to be the most popular food item on the store’s menu.
The omurice (omelette rice) makes customers feel nostalgic.
The dish is very filling, with lots of rice prepared with chicken, topped with fried scrambled eggs. The ketchup adds a sweet and sour taste to the rice, which is sure to satisfy the appetite of both children and adults.
Chieko Noma, 76, who has worked at the shop since it opened, proudly recommended the dish, saying: “You can still enjoy it as a feast, just like in the old days.”
Over time, the types of customers who come through have changed. In the past, customers were usually adult men. But in recent years there have been a surprising number of young women in the store taking photos, perhaps to share on social media. “I’m glad that customers, regardless, love this coffeehouse,” Noma said.
To maintain the old-fashioned interior decoration and comfortable space, it is essential to keep up with maintenance, cleaning and customer service.
“I want customers to come by when they are feeling a bit tired or want to recharge. We want to welcome them with the utmost hospitality,” said Noma.
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Galant Coffee House
Address: 2F Yamashiroya-Tomisaka Building, 6-14-4 Ueno, Taito Ward, Tokyo
Access: 1 minute walk from JR Ueno Station
Memo: Open from 8am to 10pm. No fixed closing day. Popular items include the fruit-packed parfaits and the Japanese pasta Naporitan, the taste of which has remained unchanged since the store opened.
