On the morning of departure, I woke up at 5 am to go to the airport. I was half-asleep and only managed a few bites of airline food. By 7 pm, I arrived at the hotel, ravenously hungry. I went out and ate a bowl of ramen in 20 minutes, and it was already 9 pm. I suddenly remembered I hadn't had coffee all day, and because my companion wanted cake, we took a walk in Shinjuku. I happened to look up and saw "Coffee Teahouse Shu" was open until 1 am. This coffee shop, established in 1953, has many branches, offering both savory and sweet items in a clean, traditional喫茶店 (kissaten) setting. The coffee was deeply satisfying. After a whole day of travel, this cup of coffee brought comfort, a tangible sense of peace that only a Siphon can provide. After three years away, for someone who exercises little and stays up late, travel is destined to begin with fatigue... The first thought upon leaving daily life is to aim to brew a cup of coffee that can soothe one's weariness.
