Hello, fellow travelers!
[Sarukuma] writer Cho-san here!

Today I’m introducing a wonderful little café tucked away in
Jotomachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City:
[Gluck Coffee Spot]!

If you’re a coffee lover, this is one of those legendary local spots you simply can’t miss!
It’s one of my personal favorites, and I keep coming back time and again ♪
You’ll find it on Yabunouchi Street, one block off the main Kamitori shopping arcade.
It sits right next door to the live music venue DRUM Be-9.

Step through the elegant noren curtain hanging at the entrance of this charming traditional Japanese house, and you’ve arrived at this delightful specialty coffee shop ♡
Already so stylish from the very first glance!

The name comes from the fact that it’s a quiet little spot hidden down a back alley, where they brew coffee with care ♪

Recommended Menu

When you walk in, you’ll order and pay at the counter before taking your seat.
Beyond the wide variety of coffee options, you’ll also find
homemade lemonade (¥480), and for the little ones,
orange or apple juice (¥320 each) on the kids’ menu.

Right at the ordering counter, you’ll also spot
delicious sweets on display.
They’re displayed in the glass case on the right in the photo!

On this particular day, the lineup included:
Left: Framboise & Scramble Cake
Middle: Cheesecake
Right: Scones
Three wonderful options to choose from.

While there are counter seats on the first floor,
the second floor has more spacious seating, so we headed up.
Up the stairs and…
a large communal table sits in the center of the room.
(Water is self-service.)
There are also intimate two-person tables
and four-person tables for groups.
Honestly, every seat in the house has a wonderful atmosphere ♪
Toward the back, there are wall-facing seats
where I often see people quietly enjoying a book.
Reading in such a peaceful, calming space sounds absolutely lovely, doesn’t it? ♪

After a short wait, our orders arrived ♪
I had the cold brew coffee
(¥500), a summer-only special.
A handy info card came alongside,
explaining exactly which beans were used.
On the day I visited, they were using Brazilian beans.

Crisp, smooth, and so easy to drink — absolutely delicious ♪

And of course,
I also treated myself to the cheesecake (¥400) ☆
Moist, rich, and utterly delicious ♡
The pairing was simply perfection!

By the way,
on a previous visit I tried the
cold brew made with the signature Gluck Blend.
And of course, paired with a scone (¥320) ♪

And on the day I felt like channeling my inner coffee connoisseur,
the hand-drip option (¥750) happened to feature the legendary Geisha bean —
Ordered without hesitation! (laughs)
And yes, I got a scone that time too!

One thing to keep in mind:
since the building is a renovated traditional Japanese house, the ceilings are a touch on the low side.

But honestly, that’s part of what makes it so charming —
the cozy atmosphere is dialed up to the max.
It’s the kind of place where you can’t help but linger ♪

Frequently Asked Questions

※Information current as of the time of reporting. Prices and hours may change. Please check before visiting.