Ruwam

If you’re looking for a distinctive experience, Ruwam in Shiga is a place you should stop by. The cafe, open on Wednesdays and Thursdays, lifts the door to an artistic place where you can immerse yourself in diverse cultures worldwide. From the outside, the cafe looks like a house in folk stories, with French windows and wooden signs. The interior, on the other hand, offers relaxing aesthetics with ornamental walls, cozy sofas, and hammock seats. The owner, Aki, is a travel enthusiast, and she spends around three months each year voyaging around the globe. With every return, she packs a new culture in her luggage — and expresses it in Ruwam menu, with different coffees and teas from all over the world. The drinks come in a fairly large size since she wants you to sit back and enjoy the moment. Make sure to order some delicious sweets too, because all the desserts here are vegan-friendly and made by Aki herself.