Cafe Name: Minato (みな도)

Minato is a private cafe located in a small alley on the outskirts of Yokohama Port, Japan. Although it is a bit far from the main tourist attractions, it has become a hotspot for those in the know, thanks to the view of the sea and sunset through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

It is very small. There are several two-person seats and one four-person table, totaling about 10 seats, and it can accommodate a maximum of 4 groups of customers. It has a quiet and cozy atmosphere with wooden furniture, warm lighting, and LP jazz music playing.

The cafe's biggest feature is the overwhelming quality of its coffee and desserts. All beans are directly selected from green beans, roasted, and blended in-house. The blend changes frequently depending on the season and the condition of the beans, and low-quality beans are never used.

All desserts are also handmade. Cheesecake, financiers, scones, tiramisu, terrine, and more are sold after researching the best combinations to pair with coffee. Taste and balance are prioritized over just looking pretty.

Seasonal fruits are also used only when they are at their peak flavor; if the taste is not satisfactory, the menu item is not sold at all.

For the first two years, there were almost no customers, but after a photographer posted a photo of the cafe's sunset view on social media, word of mouth spread. Since then, it has quickly become famous for the excellent taste of its coffee and desserts.

Social media and reviews are filled with comments like "The cafe I return to for the coffee," "The desserts are life-changing," and "Yokohama's best hidden gem."

Currently, there is a steady stream of customers, including many regulars. Despite its small size, it is a cafe that always maintains a warm and quiet atmosphere.