Blue Barber Shop, house in Shimabara, Japan
The Blue Barber Shop is a building in Shimabara built in 1923 that blends Japanese and Western architectural features. The ground floor still displays old barber tools such as scissors and razors and now functions as a cafe with seating for about 14 people, open from late morning until early evening.
The building was constructed during the Taisho era when Western architecture became popular across Japan, and it originally served as a barbershop for local men. The area became even more important as a city gateway after the railway opened in 1913, showing how the neighborhood was part of a busy trade route during Shimabara's early growth.
The Blue Barber Shop carries a name that reflects its original purpose and now operates as a cafe called Kobo Momo. The place serves the community as a gathering spot where visitors sit in a space that evokes past times and shows how everyday craft businesses become part of local identity across generations.
The location sits in the center of Shimabara and is easily reached on foot, while visitors can rent bicycles to explore the area more fully. The cafe has a cozy, quiet atmosphere with limited seating, making it a good spot to pause between other sights in town and enjoy drinks and light snacks.
The building displays Taisho Romanticism in its interior design and was strategically built in an area that once was a main connection route between Shimabara, Tokyo, and Nagasaki. This historic location explains why the neighborhood flourished after the railway connection and why the business endured for generations.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
