For those who love special-themed cafes, don’t miss out on Coffee Hall Kugutsusō (COFFEE HALL くぐつ草) in Kichijōji. The cave vibe there is just fascinating! The underground cafe in Kichijōji’s Daiyagai District has been around since 1979 and is one of the most popular hidden spots in the area!
About Coffee Hall Kugutsusō
As you can see from the photo, its entrances give the passerby a slightly suspicious atmosphere that makes you feel like you are entering a different world. But don’t worry, the staircase won’t lead you to anything dodgy or illegal. If anything, it is more like a fairy-tale world beyond the gate!
If you are wondering why the cafe was named Kugutsusō, it has something to do with its founder. The cafe was founded by a puppet theater (江戸糸あやつり人形劇団 結城座). At the time, the theater’s rehearsal hall was in Kichijōji. The cafe was created as a working space for the theater members during their off times.
Kugutsushi (くぐつ師) means puppeteer. Sō (草) means grass. In fact, many Japanese had mistaken Kugutsusō as a type of grass!
According to one theory, the grass was added to Kugutsu in the hope that the cafe would root in Kichijōji. While there is no grass called Kugutsusō on its homepage, it says it hopes Kugutsusō exists in everyone’s heart.
The internal space of Kugutsusō is long and narrow and dimly lit except for the little underground greenhouse at the far end (the last photo in the IG post). Strong, direct lighting is used, giving an illusion that the sunlight is coming from above the ground!
Thanks to the arc-shaped high ceiling, the underground space doesn’t feel cramped at all. Instead, it is more like being inside a small music hall due to the jazz music playing in the background!
The antique placed throughout the café also adds to its already amazing atmosphere, making the space resemble a scene of a fantasy movie!
Tips:
☛ It is best to visit Kugutsusō on a weekend to avoid queueing up.
☛ Check out the patterns on the back of the chairs. They are all different!
Kugutsusō’s Menu
Unlike most restaurants and cafes, Kugutsusō’s menu looks more like the thick books that appeared in Harry Potter’s movie theory. The wooden cover is super thick!
Although not vegetarian, Kugutsusō is most well-known for its curry rice. The curry cooked from a large amount of onion and more than 10 different spices have been the cafe’s signatory dish since its establishment. Apparently, the onion is pan-fried for half a day until the vegetable becomes a paste!
But that doesn’t mean that non-meat eaters won’t be able to visit the cafe. In fact, the cheesecake there is also loved by many. Not only is a unique container used to place the cheesecake, but the berry sauce and mint leaf also enhances its deliciousness.
Each dish that the cafe offers to its customers are also carefully made and well-presented.
Among the drink menu, what the staff wants the customers to try the most is their coffee. The coffee is made with aged coffee beans, giving it a nicer aroma and reduced sourness. Using a flannel, each cup of coffee is carefully brewed.
The hot chocolate is made using dark chocolate. It is smooth and as thick like chocolate fondue!
Our Visit to Kugutsusō
We got to Kugutsusō at 10:30 am on a workday during the Golden Week. There were only two groups of customers in the café, and we were told to pick a table. However, soon after we placed our orders, more and more people appeared at the door and by the time we finished our hot chocolate and cheesecake, almost all tables in the cave were taken!
Kugutsusō’s hot chocolate is truly thick but smooth. You can order something else if you prefer a non-chocolate beverage. I wished I had ordered their coffee just to try it out!
What we enjoyed the most was their cheesecake (the 2nd photo in the IG post). The cake with a citrus taste tasted phenomenal. If we weren’t on a budget, we would have definitely ordered a couple more!
As much as we wanted to enjoy Kugutsusō’s atmosphere longer, we decided to leave soon after we finished our orders to allow other customers to order. We will definitely revisit Kugutsusō when we return to Tokyo!
Kugutsusō’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Kugutsusō is open from 10 am to 10 pm.
- The cafe is a 5-minute walk from Kichijoji Station’s north exit.
Other Must-Visit & Unique Cafés in Kichijōji
While Kichijōji is in Tokyo, it has a different vibe. Hidden in the urban jungle are many unique cafés and dessert places that we highly recommend. Stop by any of the spots mentioned in the article and take a break from your exploration of the area. We are sure that you will be pleasantly surprised by the food and dining experience that any one of them provides!
For more information, refer to our article on The Best Guide to the Must-Visit & Unique Cafés in Kichijōji
Discover the Attractions in Kichijōji
Now that you know where to go to for a rest or a quick great, it is time to discover the attractions in Kichijōji! The neighborhood rated “The Most Desirable Area to Live” is great for almost everything. It is also where the famous Ghibli Museum is located!
For more ideas of what to do in the area, refer to our Kichijōji article!
