Tanuki Coffee Lab

How did this place come about and what made it different from the start?
Tanuki Coffee Lab was born from every shared little coffee moment, with friends, baristas, and the community who taught us that coffee isn’t just a drink, but a language, knowledge, and unity. Just like in life, coffee is balance: it’s slowing down and learning to enjoy every instant. 

We’ve loved this project even before the idea existed. It’s been quite an adventure, a constant learning experience where people, art, and life have made us feel a thousand different moments. 

What part of the day, space, or creative process do those who work here enjoy the most?
The most fun part of each day at the café is that it’s full of unexpected moments, and the only way to be ready is to be prepared for the unexpected—whether it’s running into a friend you haven’t seen in years, someone requesting a drink or combination you’ve never made before that blows your mind, chatting with many friends, or simply taking your time to develop that idea you’ve had for months with a coffee that helps creativity flow.

We’ve put our hearts into every corner of this café, always seeking harmony: where the aroma of coffee wakes you up each morning, the scent of chai reminds you you’re in the right place, and above all, it becomes your space to connect with others.

Is there an object, corner or detail of the place that has a story that few people know?
There’s a story we love to tell whenever we get the chance: how we built our iconic coffee bar with our own hands. Maybe a little crooked, but made with heart. 

If your space could invite someone to collaborate for a day, who would it be and what would you do together?
We’ll always keep looking for inspiration for this space, and we really enjoy collaborating with people who love to create. If we had the chance to invite someone to this bar, it would be Brandon Chouwho constantly inspires us with his social media content.

If this project were a city, a book, or a record, which would it be and why?
If our café were a city, we’d want it to feel like Kyoto: a place turned into a poem through its simplicity and nature; a city full of corners to contemplate life, where the world moves unhurriedly and art is born from nature.

Answers by Axel Castro and Samantha Arzac, baristas and founders of Tanuki Coffee Lab

Photography by Axel Castro