It's a 15-minute bus ride from HOTEL RESOL MACHIDA. If you get off at the Kanamori bus stop, you'll see a relaxing landscape of housing complexes and supermarkets. After walking a short distance from the bus stop, you'll see ONSO COFFEE.

"ONSO COFFEE" is a home-roasting coffee shop run by Machida native Susumu Onso. The shop is visited by locals looking for a relaxing break.

The connection between family and Machida that was the starting point of "ONSO COFFEE"

The owner, Soso-san, is a true Machida native who was born and raised in Machida. His childhood home is located near ONSO COFFEE, and Machida is a hometown filled with many memories for Soso-san.

Influenced by his parents, who were both self-employed, Soso had always wanted to start his own business in Machida. This was a long-held goal that remained unchanged even after Soso left Machida and entered the workforce, and experienced a variety of jobs.

What kind of job should I do? While searching for an opportunity to start his own business, Soso started enjoying coffee at cafes during his free time at work, and he was drawn to the charm of coffee. If he was going to do business in Machida, he wanted to open a cafe selling his favorite coffee. Soso trained at a cafe in Nara for several years, and then returned to Machida with his family.

What supports "ONSO COFFEE" reflects the connection between Mr. Sono and his family. The "ONSO COFFEE" logo was inherited from his father, who used it for his business. Behind it is Mr. Sono's feelings for his family.

"The reason I wanted to start my own business in Machida was because I saw my father, who was a construction worker in Machida, devoting himself to his work. However, my father passed away when I was young, and as the eldest son, I was not able to take over my father's business. So, although it is not the same business, I want to take over at least a part of my father's business, which is where I started, and so I am using the logo."

ONSO COFFEE exists as a result of Sonoso's desire to realize a goal he has had for many years, and the history of his family, who have lived in Machida for many years and continued to work locally.

Spending time with each person carefully, creating a place of relaxation for locals

Since opening ONSO COFFEE, Soso has always wanted his shop to be a place of relaxation for the locals. That's why he opened the shop in his hometown, close to housing complexes, supermarkets and other areas where people live. The reason behind this is connected to Soso's childhood memories.

"I've been close to my grandparents since I was little, and I have a lot of precious memories with them. So if I was going to open a shop in Machida, I wanted it to be a place where I could meet people of the same age and background who looked after me, while still having a proper connection to the local area.

There are elderly people living alone in housing complexes these days, so I thought it would be great if I could open a cafe and have a chat with them over coffee. I also thought it would be great if housewives could use this place as a way to take a break from raising children and doing housework, so I decided on this location.

He wants this place to be more than just a place for people who live here to enjoy coffee, but a place where people can connect with others and take a break from their daily lives. His wish is sublimated in his dedication to coffee and his attitude towards his customers.

For example, ONSO COFFEE selects coffee that is as easy to drink as possible with little bitterness or acidity, and pursues a taste that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. He always asks customers, "How are you doing lately?" and chats with them while pouring coffee, and when they leave, he sees them off to the exit saying, "Be careful." He treats each customer frankly but politely, and values the conversations and time that happen there.

Perhaps it's because of his attitude, ONSO COFFEE hasn't had a single complaint since it opened. "When I'm busy on my own, customers sometimes help me out. I'm surrounded by really nice people, so I never get bored," says Soso. His polite attitude towards people, which hasn't changed since the shop opened, supports the warm atmosphere of ONSO COFFEE.

By valuing the local people, you can become rooted in your town.

ONSO COFFEE was established with the hope that it would be a place of relaxation for the local people, and it will soon be celebrating its seventh year since opening.

People from a variety of backgrounds, from housewives and the elderly to children and working people, visit the shop as a part of their lives. Many of them have met work colleagues or made friends through ONSO COFFEE, making it a base for building connections with the local community.

In the words of a customer, "If you come here alone, you're sure to meet someone familiar. ONSO COFFEE is a mysterious place that connects you to Machida." Soso's wish is quietly being accepted by the locals.

Soso says that in the future he would like to make ONSO COFFEE a base where people can make new connections and encounters with local people.

"I love seeing the moment when people connect with each other and become good friends. So in the future, I want to use ONSO COFFEE as a starting point to create more opportunities for people to form connections and expand the connections in the community."

He treasures the people he meets in the town where he grew up and continues to connect with them. From Soso's back, we can sense a simple attitude: "To treasure the town you live in means to treasure the people who live there." "ONSO COFFEE" continues to color the days of Machida while cherishing the everyday life of the locals.

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ONSO COFFEE
Address: 2-9-21 Kanamori Higashi, Machida City, Tokyo
Website: https://onsocoffee.com/
SNS: https://www.instagram.com/onsocoffee/
* For details on business hours and holidays, please check the link above.