LEN HOSTEL with Toshiki Iwai
A bustling backpacker’s haven on the east end of downtown, Len Hostel is constant an exchange of young, hip travelers checking in after a long ride on the Shinkansen, or on their way out to discover Kyoto’s luscious bamboo groves. It was in this lively space where I met Len’s Coffee Chief, Toshiki Iwai.
Serving Onibus-roasted beans all the way from Tokyo, Len is 1 of 3 hostels by Backpackers Japan with the other 2 being in Tokyo itself. With training from Onibus, Toshi first started making coffee in Tokyo’s Nui Hostel, and is now head of the coffee program at Len in Kyoto.
“I met Onibus while volunteering in Tohoku and started the conversation about coffee over the earthquake.”
The café employs 4 baristas, and 2 of them are on staff at all times. In terms of collaborations and events, they often host live music, host craft-making sessions, and even have chalk art and coffee workshops once hosted by Chalk Boy and Onibus respectively. Sounds like I missed out!
