Come and take remarkable photos in Kure! The picture you took there should be buzzed and shared by a bunch of viewers! Let’s be pioneers in finding such a good cafe in Kure for the first time.
Why Kure Cafes Are Popular on Instagram
Kure cafes are popular among both locals and tourists for their unique atmosphere. Kure is not too famous as a tourist spot, but there are a lot of photogenic and instagrammable sites. Kure has a unique atmosphere with ocean and slope, and retro. There are some population problems about declining birthrate and aging population, but it makes Kure more calm and quiet, and nostalgic. Kure citizens live there with such a special environment. In the last few years, Kure has been getting known in Japan because of the movie “In this corner of the world” and game Kankore.
Japanese war drama film “In This Corner of the World”
“ In This Corner of the World” is a Japanese animated film released in 2016. The story is set mainly in Kure, Hiroshima during World War Ⅱ. This story is based on the situation which actually happened. This film does not only focus on battles or soldiers but also shows ordinary life during wartime as a normal person who lives in Kure city. Thanks to this view point, many viewers felt emotionally close to the characters and attracted to this movie. A lot of scenes in the film are based on real places in Kure such as streets, hills, and views of the sea. Therefore, some tourists visit Kure to see the same view and remember how war is cruel. Recently, this movie is broadcasted worldwidely and got many awards. Additionally, some schools in Japan require students to watch the film as part of their curriculum so that the number of young generation visitors are increasing the same as the number of foreigners. In this way, this movie played an important role in connecting film, memory, and local tourism, and helped bring new attention to Kure. There are also several cafes along the pilgrimage route to the film’s holy sites.
The connection between Kure cafes and Kankore
These days, more and more people visit Kure thanks to “Kankore”. Kankore is the shortened name of Kantai Collection. This is a game which has characters inspired from battleships and has been published since 2013 in Japan. Many tourists who are interested in Japanese military culture and animation are attracted by that character design and battleship history. That is a reason why they visit Kure. Kure is one of the locations of Kankore pilgrimage. Kure was a major naval port for the former Japanese Navy before. Kure has cafes and restaurants that collaborate with KanColle.
1. Majo no Lamp: A Retro-Style Cafe Among Kure Cafes
Mazyo no Lamp is a unique café in Kure that feels like stepping into a fairy tale. The interior is decorated with antique lamps, wooden furniture, and warm lights, creating a magical and slightly nostalgic atmosphere.
This café is especially popular for its desserts and handmade drinks. It is a perfect place to relax after walking around the city. Many visitors enjoy taking photos here because every corner looks beautiful and mysterious. If you like cozy cafés with a storybook feeling, Mazyo no Lamp is a must-visit spot.
2. 5 Coffee Market: A Minimal and Modern Spot Among Kure Cafes
This cafe is a stylish and modern café loved by young locals and tourists. The space faces the ocean with a calm and clean atmosphere that makes it easy to spend a long time.
They serve high quality coffee made from carefully selected beans, as well as light meals and sweets. This cafe has a lot of local customers and blends with life so tourists are supposed to enjoy the trip as if they were local people. This café is a great choice if you want to take a short break during sightseeing or enjoy good coffee while planning your next destination in Kure. These kind of Kure cafes are popular spots for both locals and visitors.
3. RePLAY MOTO SERVICE: A Unique Motorcycle-Themed Space
This cafe has a strong personality, combining motorcycle culture and café style. The interior feels like a garage, with bikes, tools, and industrial design elements. It can feel a strong part of Kure as an industrial city and port city.
This café is popular with travelers who like unique and local experiences. Even if you are not a motorcycle fan, you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and friendly vibe. It is a great place to feel the creative side of Kure and meet locals. Also, these interiors are quite visible so people can take a unique photo in this cafe. This Kure cafes are located near the train stations, so people can visit there easily.
4. Namiki Cafe: A Calm and Cozy Hideaway
Namiki Cafe is a calm and comfortable café surrounded by greenery. It offers a quiet space away from busy tourist areas, making it ideal for travelers who want to slow down and enjoy a peaceful moment. Therefore, it is located pretty far from the city side of Kure and it is hard to go there without a vehicle. But this cafe is worth making that effort to visit there.
The café serves coffee, light meals, and desserts, and many customers come here to read, write, or simply relax. Namiki Cafe shows a softer and more natural side of Kure, which many visitors find very charming. This cafe has their own farm and livestock so people can eat the fresh eggs which they get in the morning. Moreover, there are two mascot dogs at the cafe (I am not sure right now) and these friendly dogs heal our exhausted hearts. In the summer season, people can swim at the ocean in front of this cafe and it has shower and bathroom so it is also perfect place to enjoy sea activity. Same as this cafe, many Kure cafes offer a relaxed atmosphere unique to the city.
5. Amakara: A Traditional Sweet Cafe Representing Classic Kure Cafes
Amakara is a Japanese-style café that blends traditional flavors with a modern café setting. The name “Amakara” means “sweet and savory,” and the menu reflects this balance.
Visitors can enjoy Japanese sweets and drinks in a relaxed atmosphere in this cafe. For foreign tourists who want to experience Japanese café culture beyond matcha chains, Amakara is a great introduction to local tastes and everyday life in Kure. This cafe not only serves sweets, but also Udon, so it is the best time to visit there for lunch. This cafe was established 50 years ago and it has been loved by locals so far. This cafe is located on the second floor of the Kure public library and next to the concert hall so people can enjoy the meal in a quiet environment. Exploring Kure cafes is a great way to enjoy local culture.
To learn more about local cafés in Kure, check out our article on Cafés＆sweets in Kure.
To know more detail about these cafes and Kure’s culture, visit the official website.