Kurasu Kissa: Nostalgia Unveiled
We are pleased to announce that we opened Kurasu Kissa on Jl. Iskandarsyah, which marks our second shop in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Japanese kissaten inspired shop welcomes anyone who seeks a warm, calm quiet time to contemplate over a cup of coffee and a mellow music- you'll find a piece of the kissaten (Japanese coffee shop) culture here in Jakarta.
Address:
Jl. Iskandarsyah Raya No.1, RT.5/RW.2, Melawai, Kec. Kby. Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12160
Concept : written by Yozo Otsuki
Kissaten, which literally means "tea-drinking shop," is a Japanese-style tearoom or coffee shop that was established in the early 20th century.
Among these kissatens, Jazz Kissa, or Jazu Kissa, came into prominence, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, due to the growing enthusiasm for modern jazz.
These were the places where patrons could savor coffee, spirits, and the enchanting ambiance created by imported vinyl records played on high-quality stereo systems.
By the 1970s, Japan boasted over 600 jazz kissas, including one owned by the renowned Haruki Murakami, named Peter Cat in Kokubunji, before his shift to literature, which was sparked by a pivotal moment at a baseball game in 1978.
These atmospheric havens house extensive music record collections that mirror the personalities and tastes of their owners, offering a unique way to immerse oneself in Japan's musical subculture. Dimmed lighting reveals memorabilia, including signed photos, vintage album covers, and aged magazines, inviting patrons to explore their surroundings.
These kissas are typically designed to provide some personal space, creating a safe haven for dedicated regulars to enjoy their evenings in solitude while savoring their beverage of choice.
Kurasu Kissa holds a genuine connection to the heart of kissa culture.
My mother, during her twenties, worked in several prominent and legendary jazz kissas in Tokyo, even managing her own jazz kissa called "Nica," in Kyoto, a walking distance from Kurasu Ebisugawa, which unfortunately closed shortly after I was born.
My upbringing was shaped by the aroma of drip coffee my mom brewed and the hundreds of jazz records we kept after Nica closed down. I never thought I would own my own coffee shop, but here I am, our DNA and identities intertwined.
Both my mother and I are excited to revive the spirit of the kissa and introduce this Japanese subculture to Jakarta.
Yozo
