"LABRADOR BEAN'S COFFEE," quietly nestled in Sakaki, Hanishina District, Nagano Prefecture, is a hidden spot popular among coffee enthusiasts. This coffee specialty shop, located in a residential area, attracts many fans with its taste and atmosphere.
Upon stepping inside, the woody interior and cozily decorated vintage items create a comfortable space. Here, you can enjoy coffee carefully brewed by hand-drip.
The taste of the coffee can be selected using a chart that balances acidity, bitterness, refreshment, and richness. Even if you are not familiar with coffee, you can feel at ease as the shop owner will suggest the best cup according to your preference.
In summer, cold brew coffee is recommended. Because it's slowly extracted, the coffee beans' oils are less prominent, and you can enjoy a soft, clear, and sweet flavor.
Also, if you purchase the shop's staple "Labrador Special" coffee beans and brew them at home, you can enjoy the luxurious scents of ground beans and freshly brewed coffee.
Surprisingly, this cafe has a connection to movie actor Ken Takakura. The shop owner's brother had a relationship with Takakura in Tokyo, leading to Takakura himself visiting Sakaki several times and falling in love with the area. The shop displays a stadium jacket worn by Takakura in Hollywood movies, allowing you to enjoy the essence of the movies along with your coffee.
LABRADOR BEAN'S COFFEE is not just a cafe. It is a place that merges passion for coffee, a relaxing atmosphere, and unexpected cultural connections, truly calling it the "sacred place of coffee." If you visit Nagano, be sure to experience this hidden gem and savor a blissful cup of coffee.