Japanese morning set service

　My home prefecture of Gifu is the Mecca of the ‘morning set’ culture. A ‘morning set’ is a service available only in the mornings where, when you order a coffee, you receive not only toast but also a salad and a boiled egg at no extra charge or for a very small fee. The Tokai region has a thriving textile industry, and as the noise from the looms was so loud, business meetings used to be held in coffee shops. It is said that this tradition began when a certain coffee shop started serving boiled eggs and peanuts to its customers as a complimentary service. Café jete, located south of Kyoto University, is a spot where you can enjoy this aspect of Japanese culture.

　Retaining the retro atmosphere of its former life as a barber’s shop, the interior is tastefully decorated. Above all, the coffee and toast here are delicious.

　Though the shop is small enough to hold fewer than ten people, it is constantly busy from early morning with regulars and tourists alike. It is a little way from our guesthouse, but well worth the trip.