Cultural Notes
Kissaten
Japanese Living
A kissaten is a Japanese-style coffee shop.
By law kissaten are able to serve sweets and tea, but almost all will also serve coffee, sandwiches, spaghetti, and other light refreshments, as well as curry rice or set meals at lunchtime. In urban areas salarymen and students frequent kissaten for breakfast where they might have "morning service" of thick toast, boiled or fried eggs, a piece of ham or bacon, and a cup of coffee.
In Japan there is a distinct difference between cafes (kaafe) and kissaten. The design and atmosphere of kaafe is usually aimed at younger people or women, whereas kissaten are small, older establishments.
There is also the very modern phenomenon of the manga kissa, which is a version of the kissaten but with video games, manga and vending machines instead of coffee.
Relevance to Kyokai no Rinne
Kissaten appear frequently in manga. One of the most famous appearances takes place in the Nazi-themed cafe in Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer in Kyokai no Rinne Sakura's class create a maid-themed cafe in their classroom for their school's festival.