My friend from Higashikagura introduced me to Kissa-shitsu Kusamura (Cafe Kusamura) in Asahikawa, saying I’d definitely love it for a relaxed and luxurious morning. When you enter, it feels just like stepping into a regular home, and right there, you’re greeted by a counter selling bread. What’s cool is that if you pass through the narrow space next to that counter, a spacious and comfortable cafe area opens up in the back.
While enjoying my breakfast toast, I chatted with the owner about various things. I learned that they moved from the Kanto region to open this cafe and bakery, that they’re quite the outdoor enthusiast, actively enjoying skiing and hiking, and that business can be tough to stabilize in winter due to fewer customers. They also shared their dream of bringing the culture of leisurely outdoor breakfasts, which they saw during their world travels, to Asahikawa. What I found interesting was how, despite Asahikawa being surrounded by beautiful nature, many locals surprisingly don’t hike or ski much. And even with the idea of a breakfast-out culture, people around here have to shovel snow first thing every winter morning, making it hard to take things slow. We spent our time talking about things like that.
There were two types of toast, and I got the one that was cut a bit thick, crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. As I ate it with jam and anko (sweet red bean paste), I suddenly remembered “Pelican Bread” from Asakusa, which I’d had before. When I mentioned it, they indeed knew about Pelican. The spicy curry bread, which was sold out, is apparently very popular, and all of them were sold out by reservation alone that day.
It’s a wonderful place where time seems to slow down. Since we often stay in accommodations that don’t include breakfast or dinner, finding this spot where we can enjoy breakfast was a happy discovery, as it’s one of the relatively few places. I have a feeling I’ll be visiting here quite often from now on!
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