Inaugural Monthly Fika (Osaka): Swedish Coffee Culture Meets Kansai Hospitality

Join us for the inaugural launch of Connect & Co's Monthly Fika tradition in Japan's culinary capital! Experience the Swedish art of slowing down and meaningful connection at one of Osaka's most spectacular coffee destinations, nestled along the beautiful Dojima River.
Building on the overwhelming success of our Tokyo Fika community—Kansai's first regular Swedish coffee gathering—we're bringing this cherished tradition of mindful pausing to Osaka's vibrant coffee scene. Each month, we'll explore Osaka's finest specialty coffee venues where exceptional beans, expert craftsmanship, and thoughtful brewing methods create the perfect backdrop for genuine human connection.

# Understanding Fika: More Than Just Coffee

Fika is a Swedish ritual of slowing down. It's always social – fika is not something that you do by yourself – and typically involves a cup of coffee and a sweet bite to eat. It has been described as a social institution or even phenomena in Sweden, giving people the opportunity to meet and hang out with friends, get to know new people, or network with business folks.
What distinguishes the Swedish coffee break from our own coffee-consuming traditions is that fika is about slowing down. Coffee represents a true break, a moment to sit and contemplate on your own, or to gather with friends. It's meant to be a way to hit the pause button on work and life stress and just enjoy the moment.
While people commonly meet for fika in a café, the break can take place anywhere, including parks, meeting rooms, or even at home. In Sweden, fika is also a state of mind, an indispensable part of the day that's more about the act of socializing and its effects than the comestibles involved (although they're important too).
Our Monthly Fika Osaka embraces this beautiful Swedish tradition, creating regular opportunities where we can all take a moment to connect meaningfully over exceptional coffee and treats, while exploring Osaka's dynamic specialty coffee culture together.
📅 When: Saturday, August 16th, 2025
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Brooklyn Roasting Company Kitahama
🏢 Address: 〒541-0041 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Kitahama, 1-1-9 Hauser Kitahama Building 1F
🚇 Access: Kitahama Station
👥 Limited Capacity: 15 people max
RSVP: Your response confirms your attendance. If your plans change and you can no longer join us, please update & cancel your RSVP promptly to allow others the opportunity to participate.

## What Makes This Venue Special:

Brooklyn Roasting Company Kitahama represents the perfect fusion of New York coffee culture and Japanese precision. This stunning riverside location offers beautiful views of the Dojima River and is often considered the most picturesque Brooklyn Roasting Company location in all of Japan, featuring a popular outdoor terrace.
Authentic Brooklyn Coffee Culture: Founded in 2009 in Williamsburg Brooklyn, they brought that same energy to Japan with their first overseas café in Kitahama, serving Brooklyn-style coffee roasted in-house using eco-friendly smart roasters made by Loring.
Specialty Coffee Excellence: Known for their superb and sustainable coffee with small batch roasting, they work directly with farms and focus on traceability, offering darker roasts that are more common in New York than typically found in Japan.
Riverside Ambiance: Enjoy exceptional coffee while overlooking the river and the beautiful Osaka City Central Public Hall, creating a waterside experience reminiscent of Brooklyn's Dumbo neighborhood.

## What Makes Our Monthly Fika Special:

Discover Osaka's Coffee Scene: Experience expertly crafted single-origin coffees, innovative brewing methods, and artisanal roasting techniques at carefully selected venues across Kansai's coffee capital
Quality & Craft: Enjoy specialty drinks like their signature blends, cortados, and carefully prepared pour-overs by skilled baristas who treat coffee as both science and art
Community Building: Connect with familiar faces and welcome newcomers to our growing Kansai community every month, creating deeper bonds through regular interaction in Japan's most hospitable region
Cultural Exchange: Embrace the Swedish tradition of slowing down and connecting through coffee while exploring Osaka's unique neighborhoods and their distinctive café cultures
What to expect each month:

• Engaging conversations about travel, culture, coffee, current events, and life in Kansai
• Monthly community growth with opportunities to build lasting friendships through consistent gathering
• Café exploration as we visit different specialty coffee shops across Osaka, each with its own character, story, and exceptional beans
• Relaxed networking in warm, hospitable environments with carefully curated atmospheres

Cost: The event is FREE. Just pay for your own drinks and food.

• Coffee drinks range from ¥550-¥825 (Drip Coffee ¥550, Latte ¥770, Cappuccino ¥682, Americano ¥693)
• Pastries and light bites available including donuts, croissants, and their famous scones
• Most venues accept cashless payments (credit cards and electronic payments)

We can welcome up to 10 people for these intimate monthly gatherings, creating truly personal connections while exploring Osaka's incredible coffee landscape. Our Tokyo events consistently attract engaged participants, so we encourage you to sign up early to secure your spot in our inaugural Osaka gathering!
Join us for this exciting launch of Monthly Fika Osaka as we bring Swedish coffee culture to Japan's culinary capital. Let's discover Osaka's exceptional specialty coffee scene together while building lasting connections within our growing Kansai community!
Looking forward to sharing our first "Fika" moments with you along the beautiful Dojima River! 🌸☕
Best regards,
Mark & Jason