Kissa Nanaban opened in June 2022 in a corner of the Fushimi area, which represents the business district of Nagoya City. Located on the first floor of Ori-Machi Nishiki, which consists of condominiums, tenants, and a clinic, it is an urban oasis where you can relax while enjoying a view of the plaza.

"Kissa Nanaban" is operated by "Nishiki 2-chome Area Management", a company created by local people. Although it is a cafe, it also serves as a hub for disseminating information about the city.

This time, we asked Mr. Shiraishi, Nishiki 2-chome area manager, about the concept and commitment of "Kissa Nanaban".

Mr. Shiraishi of Nishiki 2-chome Area Management

The former "kaisho" has been turned into a cafe!
Background behind the opening of Kissa Nanaban

–Please tell us how you opened Kissa Nanaban.

Mr. Shiraishi: “The land here was originally a target area for redevelopment, and it is an area management (urban development) base that has been realized as a project that took about 20 years.

The Nishiki 2-chome area, which includes this place, was once a castle town, and there were many places called 'kaisho' where people could have conversations and get together. However, it is now a central city and business district, with roads, parking lots, and other spaces used by cars accounting for 43% of the city. We are an urban development company whose theme is 'creating livable cities', so we opened Kissa Nanaban because we wanted to create a 'kaisho'-like place where anyone could drop by. ”

– How did you come up with the name "Kissa Nanaban"?

Mr. Shiraishi: "The name 7 (nana) is because this land is located at Nishiki 2-chome 7. The Nishiki 2-chome area where we are developing the town is divided into blocks from 1 to 16 like a grid pattern. The local people also used this word as a nickname when proceeding with this project, asking, 'How is 7 doing?'"

MAP of Nishiki 2-chome (Source: Yahoo! Japan map)

Mr. Shiraishi: “There is a reason why we chose a 'kissa' (coffee shop) instead of a cafe. I think that a traditional coffee shop in town is a place where people come all the way. For example, what do regular customers do when they spend time at a coffee shop? They read newspapers and magazines, watch TV, and do other things they can do at home. But I think the reason they go to a coffee shop is because they have a reason to go there.

I also think that the unique appeal of coffee shops is the interaction that occurs when regular customers tell newcomers about the store's delicious menu items. In recent years, this has become especially noticeable, partly due to the COVID-19, but in the city center, where human relationships are not so strong, I chose the word 'kissa' because I think the connection between stores and people, which is part of Nagoya's coffee shop culture, is important."

Anyone can easily come in!
A place that serves as a base for communication

–Please tell us about the concept of Kissa Nanaban.

Mr. Shiraishi:"I want the shop to be a place for exchanging information, socializing, and relaxing, just like the 'kaisho' that used to be scattered around this town. For both regulars and first-timers, we want to be a place for coffee and a place to take a leisurely break while having a meal, and sometimes even get to know each other. We want to make this restaurant a place that everyone can easily use, whether it's people who live in this town, people who work in this town, or people who come to this town. A major theme for this is to 'connect' people to people in this city. Since Kissa Nanaban is run by a town development company, we want to go beyond being an ordinary coffee shop and become a window to the entire Nishiki 2-chome district."

A store design that incorporates the things in Nishiki no Machi!
What are the highlights?

The store has not only table seats but also counter seats, so it is convenient for single customers.

The bright white and cute pink two-tone interior is very stylish. The spacious interior is clean and the wooden furniture gives a soft impression.

The store's interior design incorporates the store's concept and things found in the town of Nishiki. When you visit Kissa Nanaban, be sure to check it out!

Near the entrance is an information board with a bus stop motif. Menus and announcements are posted here. After entering the store, order at the counter and pay in advance. Coffee and food are self-receiving systems.

The stools that can be used as chairs are inspired by the grid pattern of the 16th block. Only one part is made of metal, which is the "area 7 (nanaban)".

Easy to understand when viewed from above!

The sheet with the depth of the wall is actually the porch. It is a design born from the voice of "It would be nice if there was a porch in the town." There is a rule that the porch of a Japanese house is 40 cm high, but this place is also made according to 40 cm.

Children can play and relax here, so it is recommended for families.

Here and there throughout the store are strange characters that look like living creatures. These are inspired by road sign, but they are abstracted and cutely illustrated so that neither gender nor age can be determined.

The circular countertop in the center of the restaurant has a rather unusual pattern. It is a reuse of a fresco on the wall of the building that formerly housed Art Lab Aichi, which was located in this area.

The frescoes with abstract designs of Choja-machi were kept after the building was demolished. Some people visit the store to see the frescoes, and it is wonderful to see that something that was originally in the town has been reborn over time.

"The circular counter is 1/3 of the way outside, symbolizing the connection between "inside" and "outside". It also means inside and outside of this store and Nishiki 2-chome, and it is the most distinctive part of Kissa Nanaban, which is based on the theme of 'Tsunagu' (connecting)."

Speaking of cafes, there are also standard menus!
Passion for coffee and food

Kissa Nanaban also offers a satisfying lunch set menu and a sweet menu. You can choose from three sizes of coffee (SML), so you can use it to suit various occasions.

From left to right: S size, M size, and L size coffee cups

–Please tell us about Kissa Nanaban ’s commitment to coffee and food.

Mr. Shiraishi:"Mr. Abe, who is involved in the operation of Kissa Nanaban, like me, was the owner of the nearby MITTS COFFEE STAND, so when it comes to the selection and taste of coffee, he makes sure that it's delicious. I think we are able to provide this.

Many coffee shops have only one size of coffee, but we wanted to meet various needs, so we prepared 3 sizes of small, medium, and large. As for the cups, I selected the designs that I liked, and all of them happened to be the works of manufacturers and artists in Gifu. There are two colors for each, but I like them because they all have different materials and characters."

Great value lunch menu with drinks is available from 11:00 to 14:00.

– What about food menus and ingredients?

Mr. Shiraishi:“I would like to change the lunch menu regularly. Until recently, we had 'adult children's lunch' on our regular menu, but now we are thinking of trying something seasonal or something a little different. The 'adult children's lunch' was well received by young and old alike. Some people, especially those who have been doing business in this town for a long time, said they were glad to be able to eat it now because they could not eat it in the past. I also liked the pudding a la mode, but I thought it would be nice to have a menu item that is not overbearing in a coffee shop, so I decided to use it.

As for ingredients, we hope to use vegetables and herbs from other projects in the future. For example, our company has a vegetable garden project called "Yebisu Vegetable Garden" that uses urban spaces. We are growing sweet potatoes in bucket pots and herbs on the roof of a building. The sweet potatoes will be processed into shochu at a sake brewery in Fukuoka, and the herbs are used in Nishiki cafes. At Kissa Nanaban, we would like to do something like 'THE local production for local consumption,' using ingredients from Nishiki 2-chome."

Kissa Nanaban 's recommended menu

Pudding a la mode 1,000 yen

A classic pudding a la mode with seasonal fruits, vanilla ice cream, and pudding. It brings back the feeling of happiness I had as a child. The pudding with several kinds of fruits and a rich and firm taste is enough to satisfy you!

Especially recommended for those who like firm pudding!

Sandwich lunch (carrot rape sandwich) 1,100 yen

Sandwich menu with colorful small salad and drink set. For sandwiches, you can choose your favorite from egg, carrot rapée, croquettes, and hamburgers.

The picture is carrot carrot rapée sandwich. Carrots have a moderately crunchy feeling, and the refreshing flavor of vinegar and the richness of cream cheese go well together. A healthy yet filling dish.

The bread is soaked in butter, and every time you bite into it, the aroma spreads in your mouth.

A relaxing place where you can experience the history and culture of Nishiki 2-chome
Let's go to Kissa Nanaban!

Kissa Nanaban uses the open space "Orimachi Hiroba" on the first floor to host food trucks on weekdays and events on weekends. In the future, they are planning to use the rental space "Space Nanaban" on the second floor to hold various events.

The schedule and details of the event will be posted on the official website and Instagram, so please check it out if you are interested.

In addition, new shops will open as tenants at Orimachi Nishiki, and in October, "Michiniwa Marche" will be held on the street of Nishiki 2-chome, where various shops will gather.
Expectations are high for the Nishiki 2-chome area, which is expected to become even more vibrant in the future, centering on Kissa Nanaban. Why not stop by on your way home from work or on your day off?