Shimokitazawa (下北沢) Bear Pond Coffee House

So the winter cold, cloudy weather and holidays near and we can all use a jolt or at least a good shot of espresso.



Look no further than Bear Pond in Shimokitazawa (下北沢,) 2-36-12 KitazawaTEL: 03-5454-2486 東京都世田谷区北沢2-36-12

Honestly, it doesn't look like much from the outside, but the coffee if wonderful and a welcome change from the more watered down version of espresso that is popular in Japan.

Opened in April 2009 by Katsu Tanaka, Bear Pond is a welcome addition to the coffee scene around Tokyo. Created by Katsu Tanaka after close to two decades as a barista/trainer in New York City, Tanaka moved back to Tokyo to open his own shop.

Armed with a desire to offer true espresso, Tanaka found an old candy shop that he transformed into his coffee haven.

So what motivated the choice in name Bear Pond for a coffee shop? Tanaka, as previously mentioned, lived in NYC for several years and was fond of a part of the New York lake region - hence the name.

Tanaka's beans are provided by specialty roaster Nori Yoshimi.

So head to Shimokitazawa for the day, walk around and then take a break at this wonderful little coffee house.

All the best......Mark