A review of a neighbourhood cafe at Koyama, Shingawa Ward. Amameria is an independent coffee roaster that also has a storefront. Notes are by an amateur coffee enthusiast and digital nomad. Descriptions are equal parts coffee and remote-work suitability. Most photos are shot with a second-hand Fujifilm X100.

Cafe Overview:

With a sign directing you to every type of food available on the block, Amameria already sets an impression before you push open the door. Inside one finds a simple roastery and cafe with a warm furnish and assortment of seating options: take your pick from a reading sofa, working desk, chatting bench.

When I entered, the baristas had just finished roasting another batch of beans on their Lucky Roaster. Amameria Espresso is, perhaps, first and foremost a roaster. Their menu has over a dozen bean selections (in Japanese, so bring a translator or friend).

After mulling over the menu, I settled on a cappuccino because I forgot that drinks come as single shots. For anyone who wants a stronger drink, I suggest requesting a double shot or ordering a Gibraltar (4.5 oz). Nonetheless, the milk was frothed at a warm, sweet temperature that mixed well with the caramelly coffee. The flavour surprised me in how it reminded me of Pacific West Coast espressos — if only it was a double shot!

The cafe is also a comfortable workspace for remote workers. The local traffic buoys the ambiance and the baristas keep up a lively juggle between serving, roasting, and packing beans. The cafe can fill up quickly when a group of friends stop by for a catch-up, but no-one will ever pressure you to leave. A daily sandwich and waffles are on offer for nibblers.

Their Story / What I like About Them:

Ishii Toshiaki, Amameria’s founder, comes from a family that used to run a kissaten, Japanese coffee house. In 2002, he began working at an espresso bar and learning how to use an espresso machine. Soon, his curiosity about beans lead him to roasting.

After years of practicing, he opened up Amameria Espresso to share his roasting style. Kissaten roasts tend to be on the darker side and his roasts were on the lighter fringes for the young Tokyo independent roasting scene a few years ago.

If you speak Japanese, then you can ask the baristas for a recommendation of their various single origin beans, which can be brewed with an aeropress. Amameria also has a blog that shares where they hold pop-up shops for those who want to try their roasts in more central locations like Shinjuku.

Good For:

• Coffee: Espresso-based drinks and aeropress
• Food: Daily sandwich, waffles, coffee kakigori, toast
• Cafe Space: Seating for approx 20 people (benches, sofa, individual tables)
• Friends: Hangouts, catching up
• Workspace: Individual tables
• Remote Work: Bring your own pocket WiFi.

If you liked this post, check out my list of Off-Centre Tokyo Cafes.