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Away from Tokyo – Kuroiso Guide

by Audrey Fiodorenko

One of my favourite finds is a small town in Tochigi prefecture – Kuroiso. It is connected to Tokyo via local Tokaido/Utsunomiya line (takes about 3 hours) or it can be easily reached via Tohoku Hokkaido Shinkansen in 1,5 hours (change at Nasushiobara). Even some Tokyo neighbourhoods would be the envy of this compact town which is brimming with young energy, coffee shops, top-notch bakeries, concept stores offering a wide selection of local and international fashion items, antique stores and design-minded community. You might have come across Butter no Itoko succulent waffles in Tokyo or elsewhere that are usually sold out in their pop-ups as soon as they're open; this Kuroiso-based business is one of the best examples of this area's potential. I travelled to this town a couple of times, befriended some residents and shop owners and even seriously thought of moving there (affordable house prices are also a big plus). If you happen to hop on the train towards north, this secluded town should definitely be on your radar (before the tourist...

January 31, 2021
Comments 0
Japan

Coffee

Charmingly Retro Cafés in Portugal

Published by Audrey Fiodorenko

You don't have to go far to find vintage hotspots while in Portugal. Lisbon is a perfect example of timeless Portuguese charm. Just strolling along the narrow cobbled streets...

May 8, 2018
Comment 1
Coffee

Tokyo Kissaten Picks

Published by Audrey Fiodorenko

It was about last year that I’ve started looking into the roots of café culture. While it is always exciting to find a new coffee shop before anyone else,...

December 2, 2017
Comments 4
Coffee, Coffee, Japan

London Coffee Festival with Shinsaku Fukayama

Published by Audrey Fiodorenko

Londoners had a chance to get over-caffeinated once again in the annual London Coffee Festival which is the largest of its kind in the world. It celebrates coffee culture...

April 17, 2017
Comments 4
Coffee, Coffee, London

Tiny Wonders of Coffee in Tokyo

Published by Audrey Fiodorenko

In between Tokyo’s mile-high skyscrapers, a million passengers pass through every day without recognising each other. This extremely fast pace slows down in coffee shops, the smaller the better....

March 2, 2017
Comments 3
Coffee, Coffee, Japan

Slowing Down the Pace – Minka Cafe

Published by Audrey Fiodorenko

First-time travellers to Japan usually choose Kamakura, the small version of Kyoto, just one hour away by train from Tokyo centre. Traditional century-aged Zen temples, the Great Buddha statue and Edo period...

August 27, 2016
Comment 1
Coffee, Culture, Japan

Most Impressive Cafe Designs – Tokyo

Published by Audrey Fiodorenko

I have always described Japan as a country of perfection, from manners to dedication. Visiting Tokyo for the third time, I was not surprised to encounter extraordinary hospitality and...

April 22, 2016
Comment 1
Coffee, Coffee, Design, Japan

A Shot of Summer — Iki Espresso

Published by Audrey Fiodorenko

  Following the Aussie coffee culture, Iki espresso serves generous cups of excellent coffee in the centre of Chigasaki. This coffee stand is a successor of Allpress that is originally based...

July 15, 2015
Comment 1
Coffee, Japan

Discovering Beauty in White Forest

Published by Audrey Fiodorenko

In this simple, pure space a guest can savour his coffee and let his mind flow in tranquility. The minimalism culture that had been nurtured in Japan since ancient...

July 6, 2015
Comments 0
Coffee, Coffee, Design, Japan

FEATURE:

The Unique Nature of Green Tea

by Audrey Fiodorenko

Myths, Facts and Philosophy A tea master purifies himself by splashing some cold water on his hands and then humbly takes a tea whisk. A sacred atmosphere fills the room when a tea artisan contemplates over a bowl of Japanese green tea, known as matcha. A tea ceremony, Chado, is not dedicated to consuming a tea. This combination of an art and a spiritual...

April 22, 2015
Comments 0
coffeeshop, Culture, Japan

Life Vision:

"The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them."

Elizabeth GIlbert

FEATURED

Meet me under the arch: Concierge Coffee

by Audrey Fiodorenko

The only sign that you finally reached that famous window which sells excellent coffee is interesting logo on forest green background. Before you reach the backyard on Paul-Lincke-Ufer, you might walk a few times forwards and backwards to find Concierge, as pre-caffeinated body would easily miss the hidden petite café. Advice — no need for maps, just follow the roasty aroma. A logo is different from other coffee shops in Berlin. It looks more strict and serious. Baristas seem to have a gentlemen kind of vibe but the atmosphere itself is laid-back. However, after spending five minutes in this coffee shop, one cannot help but notice that Concierge is the place full of pride. It is Berliners’ pride of delicious coffee and owners’ pride of being independent baristas. While most Berlin’s baristas are extremely kind and heart-warming, Concierge shows a bit cool and arrogant side of baristas. But who wouldn’t have pride in serving one of the best coffees in Berlin? This arrogance is easily forgiven here. 15sqm hut is tiny with just a...

May 25, 2015
Comments 0
Berlin, Coffee, Uncategorized

Photography

Memories from Paris

Published by Audrey Fiodorenko

The best way of capturing the essence of Paris is through analogue photography. After a few visits in 2014 and 2016, I had a chance to settle in Paris...

November 12, 2020
Comments 0
Photography

Crowdfunding saves the UK’s first black bookshop

Published by Audrey Fiodorenko

New Beacon Books is the first ever black bookshop not only in Islington, but in the whole UK, selling books written by black authors. New Beacon Books opened its...

May 29, 2017
Comments 0
Photography

Greeting Spring in Kew Gardens

Published by Audrey Fiodorenko

“Landscapes of great wonder and beauty lie under our feet and all around us. They are discovered in tunnels in the ground, the heart of flowers, the hollows of...

April 13, 2017
Comments 0
Photography

Curiosity’s Guide to Minimalism

Published by Audrey Fiodorenko

While minimalism sounds like a distant term, it is actually a fusion of ideas, from ancient times to modern days.  Here’s the list of minimalist wisdom throughout the different...

April 11, 2017
Comment 1
Interior Design, Photography, World

London

April 17, 2017

OPINION: Brexit and London Architecture

Whether Britain will continue being a key player in shaping contemporary architecture and design mainly depends on the terms...

by Audrey Fiodorenko
Comments 0
April 17, 2017

London Coffee Festival with Shinsaku Fukayama

Londoners had a chance to get over-caffeinated once again in the annual London Coffee Festival which is the largest...

by Audrey Fiodorenko
Comments 4
December 11, 2015

Coffee Market is Full of Beans as Trading Price is Dropping

The UK’s coffee market has been steadily expanding with an increasing number of imports, International Coffee Organization’s latest figures...

by Audrey Fiodorenko
Comments 0
October 19, 2015

Farm:Shop – Manipulated Nature on the Sourdough (VIDEO)

Little hideaway in the East London unites nature, tranquil atmosphere and fresh brunch. The word ‘fresh’ in Farm:Shop gets the...

by Audrey Fiodorenko
Comments 0
June 10, 2015

Simplicity Equals Perfection

Late Sunday morning in Tokyo. Yesterday’s black suits-filled streets are empty. But this emptiness breathes another life into the...

by Audrey Fiodorenko
Comments 0
May 26, 2015

Rejoice in the Land of Purist Coffee: Lanark Coffee

  London’s coffee purists stick to simple little spots that fully concentrate on quality in the cup. Lanark is...

by Audrey Fiodorenko
Comments 4
April 13, 2015

Curators of Coffee, Art and Flawless Design

A small group of Antipodeans has gathered together for another coffee venture, where design infused with art of coffee brings space...

by Audrey Fiodorenko
Comments 4
April 6, 2015

Cloudy Days in Nordic Bakery

Heart-warming cinnamon buns and coffee. Relaxation and deep concentration. Scandinavian minimalism with wisdom of architect Tadao Ando.    

by Audrey Fiodorenko
Comment 1

Japan

January 31, 2021

Away from Tokyo – Kuroiso Guide

One of my favourite finds is a small town in Tochigi prefecture – Kuroiso. It is connected to Tokyo...

by Audrey Fiodorenko
Comments 0
December 2, 2017

Tokyo Kissaten Picks

It was about last year that I’ve started looking into the roots of café culture. While it is always...

by Audrey Fiodorenko
Comments 4
March 2, 2017

Tiny Wonders of Coffee in Tokyo

In between Tokyo’s mile-high skyscrapers, a million passengers pass through every day without recognising each other. This extremely fast...

by Audrey Fiodorenko
Comments 3
August 27, 2016

Slowing Down the Pace – Minka Cafe

First-time travellers to Japan usually choose Kamakura, the small version of Kyoto, just one hour away by train from Tokyo...

by Audrey Fiodorenko
Comment 1
April 22, 2016

Most Impressive Cafe Designs – Tokyo

I have always described Japan as a country of perfection, from manners to dedication. Visiting Tokyo for the third...

by Audrey Fiodorenko
Comment 1
July 15, 2015

A Shot of Summer — Iki Espresso

  Following the Aussie coffee culture, Iki espresso serves generous cups of excellent coffee in the centre of Chigasaki. This coffee...

by Audrey Fiodorenko
Comment 1
July 6, 2015

Discovering Beauty in White Forest

In this simple, pure space a guest can savour his coffee and let his mind flow in tranquility. The...

by Audrey Fiodorenko
Comments 0
June 10, 2015

Simplicity Equals Perfection

Late Sunday morning in Tokyo. Yesterday’s black suits-filled streets are empty. But this emptiness breathes another life into the...

by Audrey Fiodorenko
Comments 0

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