off COFFEE.

A crisp, thin batter baked to a fragrant finish, packed corner to corner with gently sweetened bean paste: taiyaki is a familiar Japanese teatime staple, and at off COFFEE. by the railway crossing in Bunka, Sumida Ward, it meets carefully brewed specialty coffee. Set inside a repurposed 90-year-old nagaya row house, the cafe extends back into a surprisingly calm room steeped in the easygoing atmosphere of life alongside the train tracks.

The signature taiyaki come in several fillings, from the classic red bean anko to cream cheese anko with its rich lactic tang, as well as playful variations like caramelized apple with custard. Thanks to the pleasantly snappy exterior and measured sweetness, they are easy to finish without feeling cloying. Beyond the fish-shaped waffles, the counter also features hearty anko-butter scone sandwiches and seasonal confections to match varying moods.

Coffee is equally dialed in, with guests able to tailor not just the beans but the extraction method. A clean, articulate hand drip sits alongside a round and mellow AeroPress and the fuller, weightier extraction of a French press. The coffee lineup shifts regularly, ranging from fruit-forward Kenyan and Ethiopian single origins to roasty, bittersweet dark roasts, encouraging thoughtful pairings with the baked sweets.

Lattes, hot chocolate, and matcha drinks provide easy alternatives on days when coffee is off the table. Orders are available to enjoy inside or to take away, making it a natural pit stop for a fresh-baked pastry and a warm cup while strolling the neighborhood.