[Berg]
Just outside the JR Shinjuku Station East Ticket Gates, you'll find the cafe bar “Berg,” open daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Blending seamlessly into the station while exuding its own unique atmosphere, it's the most relaxing spot in Shinjuku.
Just a few years ago, I was transferring trains here almost daily, jostled by the crowds of Shinjuku, yet I didn't even notice this place existed until just the other day, walking right past it. Had I known about this place back then, my impression of Shinjuku might have been a little different. Its generous spirit, staying open from morning till night, ready whenever you visit. Their motto is offering things you can enjoy daily without getting bored, and what's truly remarkable is that they have dedicated artisans for coffee, sausages, and bread, meticulously focused on freshness, ingredients, and production. Sun-dried, direct-fire roasted coffee, keg beer with rigorous quality control, 100% grape fresh wine, cakes with natural sweetness—their menu lineup shows no compromise and shines with personality.
The other day, I visited Berg for the first time. Though overwhelmed by the chaotic exterior, I still stepped inside. First, ordering. In front of the register, charcuterie like homemade bacon, liver pâté, and chorizo, along with gluten-free baked goods, lined the counter—resisting the temptation was tough. Ordering the morning set gets you sourdough toast, master-crafted charcuterie, a boiled egg from free-range chickens, potato salad, and hot coffee. And considering this prime location and the quality of the food, it costs less than 500 yen—I'm in awe. Inside, a pleasant buzz filled the space. Two-person tables were packed tightly together, and along the wall counter hung copies of “Berg Tsushin” (Berg Newsletter). People enjoyed their meals, chatting, or quietly sipping drinks while reading the newsletter – the ways to spend time here varied.
Visiting Berg, I felt the incredible power of this place where people of all ages, genders, nationalities, and backgrounds coexist comfortably. It feels quintessentially Shinjuku, yet it's uniquely wrapped in the warm atmosphere only an independent shop in this big city can offer. That warmth is precisely Berg's great value, the reason so many people are drawn to this place. I want to thank the Berg staff for creating an atmosphere where even a woman drinking alone doesn't feel out of place. Their juicy hot dogs and Sapporo draft beer served with a triple pour are also famous, so I definitely want to savor them next time. There's no end to the menu items I still want to try. This place undoubtedly adds another reason to look forward to visiting Shinjuku.
Berg
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fEtUN7bHvaDQNfxq8
Showroom Information
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/
References
https://www.berg.jp/
https://www.lumine.ne.jp/est/floorguide/detail/?scd=002233
https://www.orangepage.net/news-daily/19495
