Analysis of three successful Japanese traditional house cafes and a business plan for opening one
Introduction
In recent years, old-style Japanese-style cafes have been gaining attention as a special presence in the Japanese cafe scene. These cafes, which have been renovated from old houses with a history of over 100 years, have a unique charm that combines a nostalgic atmosphere with modern cafe elements.
In this paper, we use three traditional Japanese-style cafes as examples: Morihiko in Sapporo, Hokkaido; Otowa Saryo in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture; and Sarutahiko Coffee Nara Shikazarukitsune Building in Nara, Nara Prefecture, to analyze their management styles, popular menu items, space design, and secrets to success.
In addition, we will use these examples as a reference to consider the points to be aware of when opening a traditional Japanese house cafe.
2. Comparative analysis of three traditional Japanese cafes
| item | Morihiko | Otowa Teahouse | Sarutahiko Coffee Nara Shikaenko Building Store |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Near Maruyama Park in Sapporo | Near Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto | Near Nara Park in Nara City |
| Age | Built over 100 years ago | Built over 100 years ago | Built over 100 years ago |
| Store size | Small scale | Medium Scale | Medium Scale |
| Customer base | Locals, tourists | Tourists, locals | Tourists, locals |
| Management model | Home-roasted coffee, homemade sweets | A space that makes the most of a Kyoto townhouse, and Japanese sweets | Cuisine made with Nara ingredients, home-roasted coffee |
| Popular Menu | Coffee, waffles | Matcha parfait, shiratama zenzai | Narazuke sandwich, coffee |
| Creating space | A hideaway atmosphere, a space where you can feel the warmth of wood | A modern Japanese space with the atmosphere unique to Kyoto townhouses | A spacious and open space |
| Secrets to success | Carefully selected coffee beans and homemade sweets | A fusion of traditional Kyoto culture and a modern cafe | Cuisine made with Nara ingredients, collaboration with the local community |
3.1 Location
When opening a traditional Japanese cafe, it is important to choose a location that suits your target customers. If you are targeting tourists, it is effective to set up a store near a tourist spot. On the other hand, if you are targeting local customers, it is better to choose a location within people's living areas, such as residential areas or office districts.
3.2 Age of building
One of the attractions of an old-style cafe is the space where you can feel the history. By renovating an old-style house that is over 100 years old, you can create a space with a deeper flavor. However, repairs to old buildings can be expensive, so you will need to set aside a sufficient budget.
3.3 Store size
The size of the restaurant needs to be determined taking into consideration the number of seats, the size of the kitchen, etc. The optimal restaurant size will also vary depending on the target customer base and the types of menu items offered.
3.4 Management model
There are various management styles for old-style cafes. For example, there are cafes that specialize in home-roasted coffee, cafes that specialize in Japanese sweets, cafes that serve dishes made with local ingredients, etc. It is important to choose a management style that suits your strengths and target customer base.
3.5 Popular Menu
Popular menu items are an important factor in increasing customer satisfaction. Introducing seasonal menu items or menu items that look good on social media is also effective.
3.6 Creating space
When creating a space for a traditional Japanese cafe, it is important to make use of the good qualities of the traditional Japanese house. For example, you can create a Japanese atmosphere by leaving the beams and pillars as they are and using shoji and fusuma doors. You should also pay attention to the lighting and furniture to create a comfortable space.
3.7 Secrets of success
The following points are important for a successful old-style Japanese-style cafe:
- Offering quality products and services
- Create a space that matches the target customer base
- Collaborating with the local community
- Focus on marketing efforts
4. Summary
Old-style cafes have become increasingly popular in recent years. To be successful, you need to take into consideration a variety of factors, such as location, age of the building, store size, management style, popular menu items, and space creation.