Kissaten

A kissaten (喫茶店) 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" ("mooningu saabisu") 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.