Hello! I’m Eri, in charge of photography for the Circles web shop.
Here in Nagoya, where Circles is based, there is a deep-rooted culture of unique local coffee shops—led by the likes of Komeda’s Coffee and Konparu—and it’s often whispered as an established fact that coffee is the reigning champion of drinks here.
While washing down a strong coffee with a morning set is a Nagoya staple, Circles is home to Earlybirds Breakfast and Pine Fields Market, breakfast spots that set themselves apart from the norm, and I like to think we’ve helped broaden the scope of Nagoya’s coffee and breakfast culture.
Coffee is loved not just in Nagoya, but all across Japan—indeed, the whole world—and while we usually drink it at home or in shops, this time I’d like to introduce a culture beloved in the cycling community called "Coffee Outside."
What is Coffee Outside?
There’s nothing complicated about it; it’s simply an activity where you brew and enjoy coffee outdoors. Your favorite riverside, a spot in the mountains, or even a local park will do (just be mindful of your stove). Packing your coffee gear onto your bike and brewing a cup mid-ride is something truly special.
You’ll realize that the time spent with close friends or family over a cup of coffee, stepping just a little away from your daily routine, is the ultimate way to refresh—without needing to go far or spend a lot of time and money.
This is a story from last autumn, but after clearing some work I absolutely couldn't get away from in the morning, I headed out to Tajimi for a quick trip to try this "Coffee Outside" thing.
Since I was starting at 1:00 PM and my fitness level isn't quite up to riding the whole way, I made the clean break to take the train to Seto Station!
Times like this are when my trusty BIKE FRIDAY really shows its value. Fold it up in a flash, put it in a transport bag, and it won’t get in anyone's way even on the afternoon train.
If you travel with your bike, you know that pedals with an Ezy system are a must. You can say goodbye to getting attacked in the shin while carrying it! If you have a strap, you can attach the removed pedals right to your bike. (The spot for a bottle cage was a perfect fit.)
Gear for Coffee Outside
Nagoya is hot, but even in late autumn, my destination of Tajimi, Gifu, was even hotter! And yet, I wanted to drink a "chinchikochin" (a Nagoya dialect word for piping hot, just so you know) coffee in that heat! So, I wandered around looking for a spot.
Once I found a nice one, I started my Coffee Outside session right away.
You can have a great time with just about this much gear:
- Gas stove
- Lighter
- Pot (narrow spouts make pouring easier)
- Cup
- Coffee beans
- Grinder
- Filter
- Dripper
- Plastic bag (essential, as coffee grounds are waste)
Useful extras:
- Tenugui or handkerchief
- Low table (cleaner and provides a better vibe than putting things directly on the ground)
- Nalgene bottle (surprisingly convenient for measuring water)
None of this is very heavy, so I just put it all in my WELLDONE Chips bag 13L and carried it on my back, but I realized I do need a cage for my Nalgene bottle.
Since my BIKE FRIDAY is designed for folding and traveling, ensuring things don’t get in the way when it’s folded is key. Carrying drinking water in a stem bag and using a bottle cage on the bike might be a good combination.
After chatting for a while over coffee—about whether the beans were a light roast, what to have for dinner, or how a piece of gear I bought recently was performing—we ended up spending a full half-day by going to see a solo exhibition by a university senior at the Shinmachi Building, which my friend recently opened.
Coffee Outside is highly recommended for a refreshing day off. It goes perfectly with cycling, so try collecting a bit of gear little by little and enjoy Coffee Outside in your own way.
