ARTICLES
A Visit to Sapporo's Retro Cafes (1): MARK Coffee Club - A Cozy Escape Directly Connected to Sapporo Station, Perfect for Solo Visitors
MARK Coffee Club is a retro-style "jun-kissaten" (traditional coffee shop) located inside the ASTY45 building, a seven-minute walk from Sapporo Station. Being directly connected to the station, you can get there without getting wet, even on a rainy day. Opened in 1988, it is a long-established favorite that has been cherished for many years.
A relaxing, retro atmosphere
The shop is located just up from the 4th-floor elevator hall of ASTY45.
The interior has a calm ambiance with dim lighting and soft, relaxing background music. The well-worn tables and chairs create a retro space reminiscent of the Showa and Heisei eras. You'll see a succession of customers: a businessman reading a newspaper, regulars chatting with the owner, and people taking a break with a cigarette and coffee. The atmosphere is warm and at-home, with a sense of mutual consideration among the patrons.
The charming, well-loved furniture adds to the vintage feel.
The owner, Mr. Ishigaki, is very kind, but his service is not overly attentive. His relaxed, "welcome home" demeanor perfectly suits the space, as if you were a relative just stopping by. Adding to the charm are the heartwarming illustrations of a young boy, said to be modeled after Mr. Ishigaki in his youth, which adorn the menus and shop cards.
Exquisite coffee, brewed and served with care
The "Cappuccina Coffee" (850 yen) is scented with a cinnamon stick.
The shop's pride and joy, its coffee, is brewed using a flannel drip method. The extensive lineup includes a rich Mocha, a mellow Brazil, Kilimanjaro, Colombia, and Mandheling. Each cup is carefully prepared. We also recommend enjoying it with one of their large, hearty cookies.
Don't miss the delicious coffee jelly topped with fresh cream and ice cream
The generously portioned "Coffee Jelly" for 650 yen.
There is also a wide variety of specialty coffees, such as the "Irish Coffee," a coffee cocktail with whiskey and fresh cream, and the "Coffee Float" topped with ice cream. The coffee cups are thoughtfully chosen from Hokkaido artists, including works by Hiroshi Isoji, a ceramic artist from the Goringama kiln in Yoichi.
And then there's the "Coffee Jelly" (650 yen), a treat that will have you craving it long after you've left MARK Coffee Club. It features jiggly, cold coffee jelly topped with a generous amount of ice cream and fresh cream. The unique, crunchy accent of sugar crystals makes it irresistibly addictive. For a coffee jelly to be this delicious... it's almost a crime!
Inside, you'll also find a nostalgic pink public telephone.
This long-established Sapporo favorite is the kind of place you'll always want to return to, no matter how many other coffee shops you visit. Be sure to stop by and savor a delicious cup.
*All prices include tax.
MARK Coffee Club
■ Location: ASTY45 Bldg. 4F, Kita 4-jo Nishi 5-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
■ Hours: Mon-Fri: Approx. 9:00 AM - 8:30 PM / Sat, Sun, Holidays: Approx. 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
■ Closed: Year-end/New Year holidays, irregular Sundays and holidays
Click here for details and map information for MARK Coffee Club
Writer Profile
Deer Girl / Editor Maya Nakamura
Originally from Miyagi Prefecture, she transitioned from being an editor at a gourmet media company to a hunter. Known by the nickname "Shikajo Mayamon" (Deer Girl Mayamon), her motto is to savor life respectfully. She handles the entire process from hunting deer to butchering the meat. She is also active as a freelance editor, designing logos and pamphlets, writing, and planning events.
