A classic roasted coffee shop owned by 3 older men.

“I can do it because I have other two.”

HASHIMOTO COFFEE　Owner　 橋本政信

Sales　  角山昭二

Service　桜井健三

Comfortable and lively working environment with more than just guidelines

Do you like a classic coffee shop where an old man is reading a sports paper? If you answer “Yes,” Hashimoto coffee is perfect for you. It is located in the north-west side corner of Imamiya shrine intersection. It is operating by three older men trained at one of the most famous coffee shop in Kyoto, “Inoda coffee”.

It is the café for older men presented by older men on the dot.

Launched Hashimoto coffee when Inoda coffee subrogated.

Hashimoto coffee, established 19 years ago, only uses home-roasted coffee beans. The man pouring green coffee beans into the silver colored coffee beans roaster is the owner, Mr. Masanobu Hashimoto, age 49.

“Kitaoji blend is a little stronger and full-bodied, and it is on the Inoda Coffee’s menu, mainly using medium roasting. Meanwhile, Murasaki blend is mild and thin.”

Mr. Hashimoto’s father made contribution as a branch manager to Inoda coffee when it started up. He passed away when Mr. Hashimoto was 20, then he started working at Inoda coffee in a favor of the founder. He kicked off his career in a café as a waiter, then in the kitchen for around 2 years. Subsequently, he has been roasting beans.

In 1998, Mr. Hashimoto decided to open his business when the founder of Inoda coffee deceased and subrogated. It is indeed common that the business policy changes as the leader changes.

“I wanted to surround myself in the comfortable slow working field where people can enjoy their cup.

2 seniors supporting him

There were 2 seniors from Inoda coffee offered their help. Mr. Syuji Kakuyama, age 71, is in charge of sales. He says that Mr. Hashimoto knows exactly how to roast. I wanted to support him, as his father took good care of me.

Mr. Kenzo Sakurai, age 61, offered his help to brew the coffee. He believes that roasting requires good sensing skill. He says “Although I know how to too, Mr. Hashimoto does it all here such as the level of gas, timing and cracking. Thanks to him, I can brew good coffee.”

Mr. Sakurai, who is in charge of the shop, makes 6 or 7 cups of coffee using a neldrip coffee maker to stabilize the savor. He says ‘Business holds more hardships than joy. I can do it because I have my partners. We can overcome any difficulty’

Today, Mr. Hashimoto roasts coffee with 2 seniors he encountered at Inoda coffee.

“There is no conflict in each other as Mr. Kakuyama and Mr. Sakurai respect me. It is so much fun to chat with our customers. I hope our place stays close to them.” He says.

Their daily routine is having the coffee brewed by Mr. Sakurai every morning, which is thick and powerful Kitaouji blend, just like their friendship beyond their generations.