[The Four Seasons and I] Plants, art, and cafe culture, beloved by the owner of a cafe that enriches each day.

Mr. Hoshi is the co-representative of SiKiTO CAFE and a user of the branch subscription service.

This time, we asked Mr. Hoshi, who loves nature and is the representative of the popular cafe LATTE GRAPHIC, about his vision for the cafe and the many plants he incorporates into his home.

Tomohiro Hoshi,
Representative of LATTE GRAPHIC

He is the representative of LATTE GRAPHIC, a cafe chain operating mainly in and around Tokyo, and also serves as the co-representative of SiKiTO CAFE due to his connection with SiKiTO's representative, who has been a childhood friend since elementary school.

I started a business with my brother when I was 23, and among the over 80 restaurants we opened in various formats such as izakaya, Japanese cuisine, and Italian, cafes were my favorite.

The catalyst for launching LATTE GRAPHIC was a visit to Melbourne, Australia, around 2013.

I knew that cafe culture was deeply rooted there, but I was surprised to see cafes all over the city open by 7 AM, all completely full. It was a sight I had never seen in Japan.

The city, also known as a garden city, was dotted with lush green parks and street art. The tolerant and free atmosphere that enveloped Melbourne made me feel as if I had caught a glimpse of the "richness of heart" that Japan was somewhat lacking.

The three lines of text accompanying the LATTE GRAPHIC logo represent our vision and the origin of the cafe's name.

I'm not particularly focused on expanding the size of our company, but rather on contributing to the expansion of Japan's cafe culture through barista school programs and cafe opening support services.

I believe that morning, the time to start a wonderful day, is a rich one, so we pay special attention to breakfast. Our coffee beans are roasted in-house at the roastery located next to our Tama Plaza store.

You can choose from our original blend "BUSO Blend," which is designed to be enjoyed daily without getting tired of it, or a seasonal single-origin coffee that emphasizes a rich aroma.

In our spatial design, we always incorporate plants and art into open properties with abundant natural light, keeping Melbourne's atmosphere in mind.

We are also conscious of the four seasons to blend in Japan's unique charm, so our seasonal ingredients for pasta and drinks change, as do our plants in the space.

Indonesia, where we operate overseas, is tropical, with only two seasons: dry and rainy. When locals ask me about snow, I realize how precious Japan's four seasons are.

"I feel a sense of fulfillment when my staff are shining and when I see the happy faces and reactions of our customers," says Mr. Hoshi, who frequently glanced around the cafe during our interview.

After the interview, we also visited Mr. Hoshi's home, which is filled with plants and art!

My house was designed by the architect who also handles the store design for LATTE GRAPHIC.

The wall in front of the entrance is paneled with vertical wood, which conceals the seams of the shoe closet and restroom doors.

Since I fell in love with the view from the land, there are large windows on the second floor.

To prevent the kitchen from feeling cramped, we opted for a large counter table instead of a dining table. There's also a coffee space at the back of the kitchen.

Preparing and brewing coffee, though a bit of a hassle, gives me a sense of being "in order."

The potted plants on the terrace are a favorite because they easily create a pleasant atmosphere by simply placing a few seedlings in an antique wooden box.

While many trees are visible from the window, it's mostly a solid green except during the autumn foliage season. The branches add color. Amidst so many straight, inorganic man-made objects, the organic forms of plants provide a sense of healing.

The video featuring Mr. Hoshi is also available on YouTube as part of the "Four Seasons and Me" series. Please check it out!
Mr. Hoshi, thank you for your cooperation during your busy schedule!

▶︎Click here for SiKiTO's official YouTube channel.

 

枝もの定期便｜自宅で待つだけ、飾るだけ。

商品をみる 〉