Introduction

What is 純喫茶 (Junkissa)?

純喫茶 (Jun-kissa) refers to a unique Japanese cafe culture that developed from the Meiji to the Shōwa periods. When Western culture began to influence Japan during the Meiji era, establishments known as “cafés” emerged; however, as these venues began to feature female waitresses and serve alcohol, they gradually evolved into the style of today’s snack bars and clubs.

To distinguish them from such establishments, coffee shops that did not serve alcohol and focused primarily on coffee came to be known as 純喫茶（Jun-kissa）. The word 純(Jun) means "pure", and it implies that these were places where one could enjoy coffee in its purest form, without alcohol or additional hospitality services. This distinction had already emerged by the early Showa period, and from the 1950s through the 1970s, Jun-kissa spread throughout the country.

Today, these cafes are growing in popularity among young people as places to enjoy the retro atmosphere of the Showa era, and several Jun-kissa recreating this Showa retro style have opened, attracting a lot of attention.

The sad reality… (T_T)

However, the reality is that these traditional kissa are often run by elderly owners who have no successors, leading to a steady stream of closures. Furthermore, customers tend to go to large chains, leaving independently owned kissa largely overlooked… Since coffee shops are not designated as historic buildings worthy of preservation, even those with a rich history are often demolished once they close. It is truly sad to see these unique coffee shops dissapear — ones that could never be recreated today.

That’s why, when it comes to these traditional kissa, you have to go as soon as you feel like it! I learned this lesson the hard way from my own experience… I really wanted to visit a wonderful Jun-kissa called “ 喫茶コンパル” in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, but I kept putting it off because I had other things to do, and I just couldn’t seem to find the time. When I looked it up a month after making my plans, there it was on Google: the word “Closed” in red… It was something I deeply regretted.

That’s why I’m writing this down here (>_<)

The atmosphere of these classical kissa from the Taisho and Showa eras, where Western and Japanese styles blend together, is something that would be very difficult to recreate today. With carefully selected furniture, accessories, and tableware, the interiors are full of whimsy, and none of these kissa have a cookie-cutter feel. (It’s just like Neocities!)

That is why, whenever I have some free time, I visit traditional kissa or Jun kissa. I’d like to write about their charms here. I also intend to write about modern kissa that respect the old-fashioned atmosphere, not just the long-established ones.

I feel that these modern kissa are also essential to preserving tradition. This is because tradition is something that is passed down while evolving. By incorporating new elements in a way that resonates with the young generation, and more and more people find this appealing, I believe the culture of traditional kissa can endure without disappearing.