Hyperlocal Tokyo

Located about a 10-minute walk from Roppongi Station towards Shibuya, there's a coffee shop called "Rei no." It has a bit of a bar vibe, which is kind of cool. The fact that it allows smoking throughout is a plus. There were a few regulars with that familiar aura. I sat at the counter and ordered coffee and cheesecake. The strong, flavorful iced coffee paired perfectly with the cheesecake. It's a rare find, a coffee shop where you can smoke at your table. Even the ashtrays had a stylish touch, giving the place a cool, smoky atmosphere.

I really liked the calm atmosphere. I had the blend coffee, which was 650 yen and used old coffee beans.

I was looking for a place where smoking is allowed, and I found this one. (June 2, 2023) The door was left open, perhaps because of the humidity, and the owner was right inside. I took a seat at the counter. They don't have iced latte on the menu, but I asked for "konrei che" (coffee) iced, and it was exactly like an iced latte. ☕️ It had a low acidity, which I personally found easy to drink. There were beans in the ashtray for deodorizing. The ashtray itself was stylish and cute…😇✨ The owner was friendly and kind, and there seemed to be regulars. The music playing in the shop was probably 70's rock. Smoking is allowed at all seats, and they don't discriminate against cigarettes, so it might be difficult for non-smokers to stay for long. As a smoker, this is a very welcome place…✨

We stopped in for a break after visiting an art exhibition. I had a blend, while my partner had a Brazilian coffee. The atmosphere and service were welcoming, making it easy for first-time visitors to feel comfortable. There were many regulars, which made me feel like it was a beloved local spot. My blend had a strong body, perhaps a bit too strong for my preference. My partner's Brazilian coffee had a noticeable amount of coffee grounds, but I didn't say anything. Aside from the grounds issue, it was a satisfying experience.

An old-school coffee shop. They use aネルドリップ method to brew each cup, warming it before serving. The blend seems to be Brazil-based, not too bitter, with a good body and delicious flavor. Drinking it from a 大倉陶園 (Okura?) china cup enhances the experience. However, I was amused to see a hand-drawn menu for "Manchurian dumplings" on the table, and customers who ordered it were surprised!