Diary entry #4 - Cream sodas and coworking cafés

Another Sunday, another diary entry. As the end of the month gets closer, the pressure at work is getting worse. I understand that sales is a profit-focused role, but maybe I was not made for the corporate life. Well, except for the times I am doing very well and feel like I am on the top of the world. Anyway, lately I have been thinking about working a 9-5 job and whether that is truly a proper way for humans to live. My theory is - obviously - that it is not but the problem is, even if you want a change, it can be quite difficult to escape the rat race once you are deep in it. But the least we can do is try, I guess!

This week was a bit shorter than usual, as there was a public holiday on Thursday – the emperor’s birthday. I feel like it is not celebrated in a very public way. Or at least I did not notice anything special. For most people it is just an extra day they get to relax. I spent it cleaning up my apartment (adulting is that you?) and then enjoyed a melon cream soda with a friend in a lovely café in Ebisu. We walked into this cafe because another one we wanted to visit was full and we would have to wait fro a while. I have to say I really love discovering hidden gem cafes like this! By the way the café is called JUMP Ebisu and is just a 3-minute walk from the Ebisu station.

It had an open terrace which was definitely nice for people watching if that is a pass-time you enjoy. Sadly, the seats by the terrace were occupied, but we were sat in a cozy corner on the other side of the café. The young staff was very nice and polite, which of course is a standard in Japan but I still appreciate it everytime. We ordered pasta and chicken to share and some drinks to go with it.

Does melon soda exist outside of Japan? I don’t remember seeing it in my home country, but maybe in the US it does. I can still recall how weirded out I was when they first explained cream soda to me – ice cream on top of a fizzy drink? Are you sure?? Well, turns out it’s delicious and melon cream soda and ramune cream soda are now my go-to summer drinks 😊

I also discovered another nice café this weekend – it’s called (tefu) Jiyugaoka and it is not just a café but also a coworking space. I love coworking spaces. Something about other people in the same space working hard towards their dreams, or maybe just focusing on their usual work tasks, makes me motivated to do my best too. I don’t usually have a problem working even when I am alone, but I do get lonely quite easily, so coworking spaces or cafes are the best option for times when I want to focus on something, but not be alone.

With chain cafés such as Starbucks or Tullys, you know people go there to work or study (once again heads up: Starbuck’s in Japan usually don’t have power outlets!), but with other types of cafés it can be quite a hit or miss. Sometimes the atmosphere just isn’t right to pull out a PC and start working, so coworking spaces or coworking cafés are a safe bet when you want to get something done.

(tefu) Jiyugaoka consist of three buildings including the main café open to general public. For the other two coworking spaces you need a passcode to get in, which they give you once you check-in. There is a variety of seating – counter seats, big coworking table, sofas, meeting rooms,you really can take your pick and choose what works the best for you.

I went for a sofa with the wonderful view of the passing trains. They have different pricing plans depending on the time you spend there. Dropping by for one hour came up to 900 JPY and included on drink of choice – coffee, latte or tea. I went for the ice latte and it was delicious. They also hand you a card with the menu, explanation of the system and facilities when you check-in.

I have to say I love the 1st thing they have on their “Features” list – Good space & Good coffee. They stay true to the message.

I will definitely introduce a few more coworking spaces here moving forward. For now, I think that is it from me for this week, it already after midnight as I am writing this and I have to work tomorrow. And to whoever is reading this – I hope you have a lovely week ahead!