World-Class Coffee • Ryokan • Konbini Food

Bear Pond Espresso

My introduction to Bear Pond Espresso in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo happened 10+ years ago when my friend, fellow coffee aficionado, and master of discovering cool shit before everyone else, Sean Bonner, told me about a café in Tokyo where the owner/barista was making a legendary espresso. As far as I can remember, Sean said “He only pulls a limited amount of them per day as he believes the power grid in Tokyo is not strong enough after a certain time to make any more properly.” I immediately put this on my next Tokyo visit itinerary. The Angel Stain espresso did not disappoint. Watch this video and see the passion Tanakasan has for his craft. A few things of note: 1. Get there early as he only makes a set amount of Angel Stain espressos and when the cutoff hits, that’s it for the day. 2. Don’t take photos in his café or you will not be welcome again.

Stay at a Ryokan

A quintessential Japanese experience and not something to be missed is staying at a ryokan. The feeling of traveling back in time, the serenity, and the incredible beauty of many of these places simply can’t be had anywhere else. From a remote mountain location run by an octogenarian couple to a downtown Kyoto ryokan to entire towns with numerous ryokan, there is something for every taste and budget. Some of these places require booking via sending them an email. Japan Ryokan and Hotel Association will tell you everything you need to know about Ryokan etiquette and has links to book Ryokans throughout Japan.

Konbini (Japanese Convenience Stores)

It is a time-honored tradition to get food from a convenience store in Japan. Yes, I’m talking about 7-11, Family Mart, Lawson, and such. No, I’m not joking. It’s true.—and it’s nothing like American convenience store food that’s guaranteed to give you an upset stomach.

Konbini food is inexpensive, delicious, and a great way to stretch your travel dollars. These places have onigiri (rice balls with various fillings), tuna sandwiches, fried pork cutlet sandwiches, warm fried chicken tenders, hum bao, individual servings of ice cream, bonbons, all manner of pastries, and sushi which is likely to be better than any of the supermarket sushi available in the US at half the price.

You never know, you could become obsessed with Konbini food and start a newsletter (Conbini Boys). Warning, these guys go deep and you will learn more about Konbini food than you thought possible.