CALENDER Coffee — Restaurant in Kamakura

A hidden gem of a cafe and some of the best coffee I’ve had in Japan. Features hand-roasted beans and baristas with an incredible talent for espresso, pour overs, and even dessert drinks. I really appreciated that the seriousness of their craft is evenly matched with their passion for good flavors — you cannot go wrong with what you order.

When I first went he was roasting beans by hand, so I thought of course I should order a single origin pour over. Like a sommelier, he let me smell the beans that he’d ground for me before he started the brew, and I enjoyed my cup immensely. For another customer, he brought out a cocktail shaker and champagne flute and shook up a beautiful iced dessert cocktail…and before I knew it I had visited daily over two weeks to try everything on the menu (including the espresso, a venison hot dog and the dessert drink in the flute, which is divine).

The atmosphere is intimate and warm, and the vibes are good. A must for everyone, from those looking for a refreshing pick-me-up on the way to the beach, to true aficionados who can keep up with his knowledge and experience of...

We received a warm welcome from the barista — who I think is also the owner — as soon as we stepped into this little café. He involved us in every step of the process: letting us smell the coffee beans, explaining their origins, and even offering a sample of the espresso before serving the coffee. You could feel the love, passion, and attention to detail in every cup he prepared.

We ended up chatting with him and the other guests — such a beautiful experience and heartfelt connection. It’s one of those moments I’ll always remember from Kamakura. Hopefully, I’ll be back someday and bring him some good Indonesian...

Think about midnight diner if it was a cafe where locals of varying age and backgrounds come for the sole purpose of enjoying a carefully crafted cup of coffee and a nice conversation with the master. That’s the kind of vibes calendar provides.

It’s counter seating only in a slim, intimate space but truly a magical neighborhood spot, quietly located a couple steps away from the lively sidewalks a few...