Hiroshima City

Japan remains a nation with more of a tea culture than a coffee culture, but there is a growing fascination with the bean. This is going beyond the proliferation of Starbucks branches popping up across the country. Cities including Hiroshima have been developing an independent coffee shop scene, with many outlets becoming social hubs that offer more than just a good cuppa. Here are a few places well worth checking out. Obscura Coffee Roasters A go-to place in Hiroshima for fans of good quality coffee. Obscura began life in Tokyo but its founders hail from Hiroshima and it wasn’t long before they brought their concept home. Opening in 2009, there are now two branches (Fukuromachi and Hondori). You can choose from a wide selection of drinks, from espresso to iced latte. Coffee beans are procured from around the world and the company is committed to paying fair prices to farmers. If you’re a tad peckish, there are a range of pastries and scones to nibble on. Website: https://obscura-coffee.com/ Progress Life Style Coffee Located in downtown Hiroshima just five minutes from the train station, Progress is a trendy modern coffee shop that doubles up as a co-working space, meaning that it…