A Pause Between Journeys: Savoring Toyama’s Café Culture

Set on the first floor of a distinctive two-tone brick building—red below, green above—near Toyama Prefecture Gokoku Shrine, Coffee Station Blue Train is a love letter to Japan’s railway heritage. Though the exterior doesn’t resemble a train, the moment you step inside, the world slows to the rhythm of the rails. Soft amber lighting, window-style wall panels, and sturdy wooden seats evoke the interior of an old sleeper car, while model trains glide along miniature tracks encircling the room. At the owner’s whim, the lineup changes—from a sleek shinkansen to a vintage local train—each one hand-built and lovingly maintained.

Even the menu nods to Toyama’s transit culture, decorated with illustrations of local trams. The drinks are equally thoughtful: the orange coffee, topped with a slice of orange, adds a gentle citrus lift to its sweetness, while the no-bake coffee cheesecake offers a silky, jelly-like texture that melts on the tongue. Regulars recommend pairing either with the café’s signature sumiyaki  coffee, a charcoal-roasted blend known for its smooth, mellow aroma and subtle smokiness.

The New York Times spotlighted Blue Train when Toyama was named one of its “52 Places to Go in 2025,” praising it as a nostalgic retreat for travelers and train lovers alike. With its refined atmosphere, handmade details, and the soft sound of model engines circling the room, it’s the kind of place where you can lose track of time—in the best possible way.

Coffee Station Blue Train Info

Address: 1-9-8 Kashimacho, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture

Hours: 11:00–18:00

Closed: Tuesdays, Fridays

Access: 5-min walk from Yasunoya Station / 18-min walk from JR Toyama Station (South Exit)

In the heart of Toyama’s downtown Sogawa district, Kissa Cheerio has been serving coffee and conversation since 1935. With its dark wood paneling, tufted sofas, and softly glowing lamps, it feels like stepping back into the early Showa era—a space where time seems to slow, and everything from the clink of ice in a glass to the hiss of the coffee pot feels deliberate.

Cheerio’s menu is as generous as its atmosphere. Locals come for hearty comfort foods like the signature Sogawa-yaki spaghetti—a playful, local twist on a classic dish that pairs grilled beef and a sweet-savory yakiniku-style sauce. For an extra kick, there’s the goro-goro Sogawa-yaki, a spicier version with chili peppers. The hot sandwich wiener, stuffed with sausage and stir-fried cabbage, offers a crisp bite that pairs perfectly with a lime mint soda or a creamy coffee float.

Dessert lovers will find plenty to linger over. The chocolate parfait, piled high with fruit, ice cream, and whipped cream, looks like it came straight from a retro magazine spread, while summer brings classics like zenzai—sweet red bean soup served cold. There’s even an English menu with detailed explanations, a thoughtful touch for international visitors curious about Japan’s traditional sweets.

Whether you stop by for a light lunch or to rest your feet after exploring the nearby tram-lined streets, Cheerio embodies the warmth of Toyama’s everyday life—a café that connects eras, one cup at a time.

Kissa Cheerio Info

Address: 3-6-15 Sogawa, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture

Hours: 10:00–17:00

Closed: Wednesdays

Access: 2-min walk from Nishicho or Nakamachi Station (Toyama City Tram)

Website: https://cheerio1935-sogawa.com/english/

A short stroll from Toyama’s lively shopping arcades brings you to SIXTH OR THIRD COFFEE STAND, a bright, white-fronted space where art, design, and community meet over freshly brewed coffee. The owner, an illustrator who once lived in England, brings a cosmopolitan touch to this minimalist café. Large windows frame the street outside, making it ideal for people-watching or simply soaking up the city’s slow rhythm.

Here, the air is fragrant with freshly ground beans. The menu features a rotating selection of specialty coffees—both blends and single-origin varieties—some of which are served in elegant glassware made in collaboration with the nearby Toyama Glass Studio. Lattes arrive topped with delicate art, while homemade sweets like carrot cake, lemon cake, and the seasonal doughnuts offer cozy comfort in every bite. The owner’s mother bakes each treat by hand, adding a familial warmth to the sleek, design-driven space.

The café also sells original goods—mugs, plates, and coffee beans in illustrated packaging designed by the owner herself. Flyers for local pottery exhibitions and art shows line a bookshelf in the back corner, reflecting sixth_or_third’s role as both a coffee stand and a creative hub. English-speaking visitors will find it especially welcoming, as the owner’s fluent English and easygoing manner make it a natural gathering place for travelers and locals alike.

SIXTH OR THIRD COFFEE STAND Info

Address: 2-7-12 Sogawa, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture

Hours: 10:00–17:00

Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Access: 4-min walk from Aramachi Station (Toyama City Tram)

Instagram: @sixth_or_third_coffee_stand

In Toyama, cafés are not just rest stops—they’re reflections of the region’s quiet creativity and gentle pace. Whether it’s the nostalgic hum of a model train, the comfort of a long-loved kissaten, or the aroma of a hand-poured brew in a minimalist coffee stand, each space tells a story of connection: between past and present, maker and guest, city and sea.

So next time you find yourself between destinations in Toyama, let yourself linger. Order that extra slice of cake, watch the people pass by, and let the city’s café culture reveal itself—slowly, one cup at a time.