A long-established coffee shop "Brazil Coffee" that continues to be loved in Kanayama, Nagoya

According to one theory, Nagoya's tea drinking culture dates back to the Edo period. Among the many coffee shops in Nagoya, the long-established coffee shop “Brazil Coffee” in Kanayama, which has been in business for 50 years (as of 2021), continues to evolve.

Although the atmosphere of the town has changed, the shop is almost the same as they were 50 years ago.

Kanayama Station is one of the terminal stations in Nagoya. Although it is a major station where many people come and go, "Brazil Coffee" is located in an excellent location on the corner of Otsu-dori, a 1-minute walk from Exit 3 of Kanayama Station.

Founded in 1971. The shop is located on the first floor of a multi-tenant building and blends in so well with the city that you could easily pass by it by accident.

As soon as you enter, you will find a lot of manga on your left!

On the right side, flyers and leaflets from various places are arranged in a miscellaneous manner.

In front of you, you will be welcomed by the big fishing flag with an auspicious and colorful design that was made by a craftsman.

As soon as the shop opens, customers continuously come in one after another. The wide range of clientele is surprising, from business people to couples, young people, and elderly...

If you look up at the ceiling, you will see a nostalgic mirror ball. For the generation that enjoyed disco, it is a symbol of the bubble economy.

In addition, for some reason there is a retro signboard that makes you feel Showa...

Incidentally, when asked about the origin of the shop's name, the owner, Mr. Tsunoda, says that he was aiming for a "'Kin'-bra (stroll on the 'Kana'yama)" rather than a "Gin-bra". When we hear "Gin-bura (stroll on the 'Gin'za)," we think of Ginza as a place to hang out ......, but originally, the status was to "drink Brazilian coffee in Ginza," and the word seems to have originated from there.

For that reason, the previous owner wanted to drink Brazilian coffee here in Kana('kin' in Kanji)yama instead of Ginza, so it got its name. It's cool, isn't it! (Kin means gold, Gin means silver.)

A wide range of menus and home-roasted coffee that you can enjoy all day long

Curry can be added to the standard morning breakfast for an additional 300 yen!

Speaking of coffee shops in Nagoya, morning breakfast is a place you can't miss. Bread and eggs are usually included in the drink price.

Brazil coffee morning breakfast also comes with thick sliced toast, boiled egg, and salad in addition to the drink price, and you can choose jam or red bean paste for toppings. (photograph)

If you're still not full, you can add a rice bowl-sized bowl of curry for an additional 300 yen. The moderate spiciness is addictive, and it seems that your appetite will progress further. I hope this will give you a good day!

Lunch can be selected from the daily specials or standard menu

Next, for lunch, you can choose from 2-3 types of daily specials, or from other set menus.

C lunch was finished on this day, so I ordered A lunch.

More like a cafe lunch than a coffee shop lunch. Each dish is served on a plate with a beautiful colorful appearance! The imitation crab meat and corn cream croquettes in particular are delicious and filling, and the cream inside is handmade! The Japanese, Western, and Chinese flavors are well balanced. (Feel free to order a large serving of rice).

By the way, you can order lunch from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 21:30 in the evening!

Teppan spaghetti revived by the third generation

Teppan (iron plate) spaghetti is one of Nagoya's specialties, and Mr. Tsunoda, the third generation owner of Brazil Coffee, has revived the teppan menu, which was previously discontinued there.

Among them, the most recommended is “Teppan Indian Spaghetti (850 yen)”. Indian means curry, and the combination of chewy noodles with just the right amount of spicy curry is addictive.

In addition, there are also classic Neapolitan, meat, and ankake spagetti.

Home-roasted coffee and soda floats, which are unique to coffee shops.

Since 2018, the coffee has been roasted by the owner himself. Beans from Colombia are used. The way the heat is applied during roasting changes depending on the season, weather, and atmospheric pressure, so they roast while making adjustments. They continue to study roasting regularly, and always try to provide a stable taste.

Beans are also on sale. In addition to Colombia, Mandarin is also available for take-out. (Colombian 100g / 600 yen, Mandarin 100g / 700 yen)

And speaking of coffee shops, the soda float (480 yen) is a must. The combination of this brightly colored soda topped with a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream is unbelievably exciting.

I dare to be left behind by the times

We interviewed Mr. Tsunoda, the current third-generation owner.

– When did Mr. Tsunoda become the third generation?

Mr. Tsunoda: "It's been 13 years since I took over the coffee shop. I started helping out part-time when I was 18, but then I traveled and worked elsewhere before coming back. For a while, I worked at a live music club called "TOKUZO" in Imaike.
Making the most of the experience I regularly hold live events on weekends at this place as well.

In addition to the regulars who have been coming here for a long time, the number of younger generation customers has increased since they started to hold live events.”

– Please tell us about the history of the shop.

Mr. Tsunoda: "Originally, my grandfather was in a different business, but he started it with a friend who knew about the coffee shop management. Some of the former customers are now older and I don't see them anymore.

I'm usually in the kitchen, so I don't have much direct contact with customers, but I check inside the store. We have a wide variety of customers, so it makes me happy to see this space where such people gather.”

– It’s amazing that you can continue for 50 years in a prime location in Kanayama.

Mr. Tsunoda: "It's hard to pay the rent (laughs). With the times, the surroundings and scenery change, but I dared to try to be left behind here. I think that will lead to individuality.

Also, I think it's important to keep doing it. I think it would be nice to create new things again while changing little by little. "

"I hope to keep going for another five years," says Mr. Tsunoda.
I felt that it is because of his natural and relaxed style that customers feel comfortable coming in and out of the coffee shop, leading it to an attractive place that warmly welcomes any and all customers.

Pianos, musical instruments, amplifiers, etc. can be seen here and there in the shop. Mr. Tsunoda himself is also a musician, and it seems that he is in charge of guitar and vocals.

LP records are also casually placed. If you look for it, you may find treasure. If there is something you like, you can purchase it.

Flyers for live events held regularly on weekends. Check out the ones you are interested in!

<50th anniversary event>
October 30th (Sat) "Sankyubarakan!!"
Cast: Peter Barakan
OPEN 18:00～ START 19:00～
Ticket 3500 yen + 1 drink on the day (separately required)

The cityscape around Kanayama Station, which has changed with the times, can be seen from the same coffee shop as it was 50 years ago.

When you are in the coffee shop, you will feel a strange sense of nostalgia as if you have time traveled back in time and slow time is passing by. The speed of time and change is fast, but when you get tired or stop for a moment, "Brazil Coffee" is the kind of place that gently welcomes you. I hope that Brazil Coffee will continue to mark new moments with its unique style, which in a sense has been left behind.