#Japan #Tokyo #Decaf Coffee #Onsen Sauna #An-Butter Hot Cakes

Connecting Communities through Onsen Sauna, Decaf, and An-Butter Hot Cakes

In a remarkable fusion of local culture and culinary creativity, a collaborative event was hosted at Kohnpuso, an onsen sauna in Ohsaki, Tokyo. This unique experience featured not only sauna sessions but also a tasting event at the nearby café, Pedra Branca, showcasing the delights of the new "Sauna Presso (Decaf)" and hot cakes made with top-notch anko from Koriyama Seian.

A Coffee for the Sauna Enthusiasts

The event introduced "Sauna Presso (Decaf)," a unique product creatively supervised by Keiichi Kitagawa, the founder of a sauna design firm known as SAUNaiDEA. Recognizing the need for a delightful beverage post-sauna, Kitagawa aimed to provide an exceptional drinking experience suitable for the late afternoon and evening relaxation. Partnering with the café’s owner, Shiraishi, they developed this body-friendly decaf blend that maintains a rich aroma and sweetness. The refreshing carbonation of the drink was well-received, giving sauna-goers a new way to enhance their experience.

The Making of a Scrumptious Hot Cake

The tasting event also celebrated the excellence of Japanese traditional sweets through top-quality anko sourced from the renowned Koriyama Seian, a company with a long-standing history in Fukushima. The delicately sweet anko complemented the gluten-free rice flour hot cakes perfectly, creating a delightful combination that impressed attendees. Feedback from visitors highlighted the refreshing novelty of enjoying traditional Japanese anko in a café setting, noting the satisfying quality it brought as a sweet treat.

Saunas and Cafés as Community Hubs

This event showcased the potential for saunas, cafés, and local shopping streets to foster community connections. By introducing themes of sauna culture and coffee enjoyment, the event stirred new interactions, promising to enliven the neighborhood. Pedra Branca buzzed with lively discussions about various sauna styles, including traditional Finnish saunas, Japanese onsens, and more.

Experience the Event through a Podcast

For those wanting to relive the atmosphere of this extraordinary event, a podcast episode titled "Sauna and Hot Cake Shop Talk Show" is now available on Hotcast. It captures the energy of the day and features voices from both the staff and participants, offering a genuine reflection of the experience. Dive into the real-life experiences and insights that defined this special day. 🎧 Listen on Spotify.

Join the Team!

This event also marked a pretesting phase for the planned evening services at Pedra Branca, and the café is currently seeking part-time staff and interns. If you are interested in creating warm and inviting places that connect people and communities, or have an affinity for saunas, coffee, or generative AI, reach out to us!

Contact for Job Applications:

📩 pr@ricehotcake.com

About Rice Hot Cake Corporation

At Rice Hot Cake Corporation, we strive to deliver happiness to the world through rice flour hot cakes. We aim to create new experiential values that connect food, community, and technology, while envisioning a sustainable and warm future. Our commitment extends to addressing regional and agricultural challenges by fully utilizing generative AI to craft innovative café experiences.