JR Kitami Station is a 10-minute drive away. This detached house is located along Midori-en Street. The lodge-style building with a triangular roof is quite impressive. The exposed beams and walls made of natural wood materials provide a soothing atmosphere. There was an ashtray available. I visited for lunch on a weekday. I arrived after 12 o'clock, and about 70% of the seats were already taken. More customers continued to arrive, many of whom were seniors. On this day, I ordered the curry rice and hot coffee set. The curry was delicious, with a special touch from the cafe. The coffee was easy to drink and consistent in quality. Since I was away from the kitchen, I couldn't observe the staff's work or hear any noise, but their attentive nature was evident.

I went to Bankam-san! It was my first visit to this large cafe. It seems to be a combination of a home and a store. As I entered, I saw a couple, perhaps the owners. I ordered the Kilimanjaro coffee for 450 yen. It had a strong acidity and a great aroma. It was very flavorful with no bitterness. The lady in the shop was talking on TV and reacting loudly to it. Later, a few more customers came in, all seemed to be here for lunch. It looks like the pizza is popular here. I ended up staying longer than I planned. Well, shall we explore a bit more? Thank you for the meal.

During my business trip to Kitami in April, I had some free time for lunch and decided to visit Bankamu. It's an old-fashioned coffee shop. When I passed by, I knew this was the place, so I made a U-turn and went in. I was craving something sweet, so I ordered the "Custard Pudding" (450 yen). The atmosphere inside the shop was quiet and I could have stayed there for hours. I wish there was a place like this in my neighborhood! Kitami is really nice.

A history of over 40 years serving exquisite coffee jelly and apricot juice.

A calm atmosphere with a sense of Showa era.

It's 10 o'clock and I felt like having coffee, so I decided to visit a cafe that caught my attention last night as I passed by in a taxi. The cafe's name is Ban Kamu, but I'm not sure of its origin. The place is quite crowded with parked cars. Inside, it's surprisingly spacious. I sit at a table and order an Italian coffee and a Viennese coffee. The server asks if we're a couple, and my companion suddenly asks if she can change her Viennese coffee to a strawberry juice. The music playing in the background is soothing. On a leisurely morning off, the gentle sunlight creates a perfect ambience for a relaxing mood. The colorful strawberry juice and Italian coffee arrive. I'm encouraged to try the ice cream with the coffee, which complements its bitterness. The strawberry juice is more like a float than a juice, with a slightly thick texture. The Italian coffee is strong and resembles espresso, without any sourness, making it very delicious. It instantly wakes me up, and I feel ready to head out. It was a truly lovely cafe experience.

◆February 2016◆ I visited this cafe after a long time because I wanted to drink delicious coffee. I ordered the French roast and coffee jelly. The French roast had a good balance of bitterness and richness, and it was delicious. And all this for only 400 yen, which is cheap. Personally, I think this cafe is in the top 3 for delicious coffee in Kitami. The desserts are all homemade, and the coffee jelly is also delicious. The interior of the cafe is relaxing, and I always feel calm here. I am really curious about the black sesame curry, so I want to visit again for lunch next time. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ◆February 2013◆ This cafe is located along Midori-en Street, a little above Kanishi Botanical Garden. It is a cafe with a history of nearly 40 years since it opened in 1974. The interior of the cafe is like a log house with wooden tables that give a sense of history. There are photos and paintings displayed, making it feel like a small gallery. Inside the cafe, you can see university students studying and regular customers chatting with the owner, creating a cozy atmosphere. [Order this time] I ordered the blend coffee (400 yen), which is the most representative of the cafe's concept. I also ordered the cheesecake (430 yen) for dessert. It seems that you get a 50 yen discount when you order coffee and cake as a set. The coffee had a strong acidity at first, followed by a moderate bitterness. Though I'm not a coffee connoisseur, I could tell that it was carefully brewed. The cheesecake was unexpectedly more like a pudding. It had cheese topped with orange jelly and kiwi jelly with ice cream, making it a stylish dessert. The atmosphere was very pleasant, and it was a wonderful cafe where both regulars and newcomers could relax and spend time comfortably.

There is a decent amount of parking available, so you can stop by for a drive. This place seems more like a "local gathering spot" where the interior is a mix of newly renovated and old sections, almost like it's attached to a house. It seems to be run by an elderly couple, maybe enjoying their second life after retirement? They have a sign for Misuzu Coffee, so they must be using their coffee. They offer various types of coffee from straight, blend to French, Lucian, Turkish, etc. I ordered the Blue Mountain No.1 for 460 yen, which seemed cheap and not like their own blend. The taste was not particularly elegant, with a slight acidity and smooth mouthfeel. I wonder if Blue Mountain coffee is really tasty? For tea lovers, they have a variety like Keemun, Uva, Nilgiri, but it's not served in teapots, which might disappoint tea enthusiasts. I ordered the Nilgiri tea, which was different from Darjeeling type but still delicious. They also have dishes like fried rice, curry, and spaghetti on the menu, but the taste is just average. The interior is cozy, with regular customers chatting with the owners, creating a homely atmosphere. The clientele seems to be mostly in their early 60s, not particularly stylish or trendy. The classic BGM playing in the background is occasionally interrupted by radio chatter, making it less suitable for a sophisticated cafe experience that young people might envision. Overall, it seems to excel more as a gathering place for locals.