Adjusting for Balance

Discover Aoma Coffee, a special cafe to slow down and enjoy the richness of light-roasted coffee in the peaceful city of Osaka, Japan.

Dear coffee lovers,

This entry could be considered part II of my coffee trek through Japan. Visiting Osaka was a stellar experience that I reflect on daily and the cafes I visited there stirred up excitement that I hadn’t felt in awhile. This country is fascinating…

Just off the Osaka Metro at Hommachi station and down the main road we find our featured shop: Aoma Coffee in Semba, Osaka. Founded by Hirosuke Aono on July 9, 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Aoma's compact cafe and roasting space feels similar to a coffee stand. Hirosuke Aono has been roasting coffee since 2013 and his coffees at Aoma are all light roasts focused on terroir and richness.

Let’s get a coffee

Aoma Coffee is nested on a side street branching off the main road. Upon arrival I took a moment to appreciate the shop’s striking entrance with floor-to-ceiling bifold doors (my designer mind is buzzing), natural wood materials, and lush plant life throughout. A small, wooden bench is outside for customers to enjoy their brew in the fresh air.

As I step into Aoma's shop, it feels welcoming and warm. The concrete bar with its rounded corner immediately catches my eye, and a friendly barista greets me. The interior feels lived in, but wonderfully modern. At the back of the shop, I see the roaster where Hirosuke Aono works his magic.