The atmosphere is welcoming, as though you've been invited to a friend's grandparent's home.

The atmosphere is welcoming, as though you've been invited to a friend's grandparent's home. (Photo: Ran Matsumoto)

Mois Cafe [Closed]

A 40 year-old house-turned-cafe in Shimokitazawa

Ran Matsumoto Jun 25, 2013 - 1 min read

The atmosphere is welcoming, as though you've been invited to a friend's grandparent's home.

The large blackboard with an extensive menu is the only sign that lets passersby know that this is a cafe, not someone's old house.

The cafe was named "mois" ("month" in French) in the hopes that visitors could enjoy each to the fullest in the cafe. In June, paper hydrangea hung from the wooden beams.

The June display featured rain, rainbows, and other symbols of the Japanese rainy season.

Paper swallows adorn the windows, while colorful drawings line the walls.

Picture books in Japanese and Korean are also on display, along with a notebook where visitors can exchange comments about the cafe and the artwork.

Even the air conditioner has a nostalgic feel.

Archived content

The location on this page has been reported permanently closed.

Last updated: Jul 17, 2020

A few years ago, the Mois Cafe was a 40-year-old house on the verge of being torn down. But instead of becoming rubble, it is now a cozy cafe displaying artwork by young artists. You can find it just 4 minutes from Shimokitazawa Station, which is 7 minutes from Shibuya Station on the Keio Inokashira Line.

Ran Matsumoto

Ran Matsumoto @ran.matsumoto

Originally from Tokyo, I now divide half my time between attending college in the U.S. and the other half in Japan. I'm excited about this opportunity to introduce interesting places in Japan to the English-speaking world!