Cafe Hakkakuto

2025/06/30

Image: Entrance to Cafe Hakkakuto

"Cafe Hakkakuto" is located on the first floor of the octagonal tower on the east side of the Old University Library, which is designated as an Important Cultural Property, in a space connected to the history of Keio University. This location was once used as a "Periodicals Room," as a "Library Office" after the war, and most recently as an exhibition room displaying items related to Fukuzawa Yukichi. In July 2021, it opened as "Cafe Hakkakuto" in conjunction with the opening of the Fukuzawa Yukichi Memorial Keio History Museum on the second floor of the Old University Library, and it currently also serves as a museum shop.

The interior has high ceilings and an open feel, surrounded by classical furnishings, creating a space that evokes the atmosphere of the historic Old University Library. According to the "History of Mita Media Center (Keio University Library)" published in 1972, this is not the first time there has been a space for food and drink within the library. When Shinzo Koizumi took office as the Library Director in 1924, a small shop was established in the basement under the policy: "I recognize the need to establish a shop for visitors and general Keio students. However, items for sale shall be limited to bread, sweets, milk, coffee, and tea, and no cooking or boiling shall be done on-site." At some point, "curry rice" was added to the menu, and in the 1930s and 40s, "Shina Soba" (Chinese noodles) was reportedly served, satisfying the appetites of users and Keio students with warm dishes. Today, Cafe Hakkakuto also offers coffee, tea, and the "Koruri" curry on its menu. "Koruri" originates from the "English-Japanese dicitonary," which Fukuzawa Yukichi published after purchasing an English-Chinese vocabulary book titled "Hua-Ying Tong-Yu" by the Qing dynasty author Ziqing in America. He added katakana for the English pronunciation and the Japanese reading of the Chinese translations. This is in honor of the fact that this book was the first in Japan to introduce the word "curry" in writing, and it is a fascinating story that it is being served within the Old University Library across the ages.

One of the features of Cafe Hakkakuto is its limited-edition menus created in collaboration with the Keio Museum Commons (KeMCo), the Keio University Art Center (KUAC), and the Keio History Museum. Sweets and drinks inspired by exhibition themes are offered, and many people visit before or after viewing the exhibits. In the "Dreaming Utamaro, Mysterious Sharaku?" exhibition, which showcases part of the Sei'ichiro Takahashi Ukiyo-e Collection and will be held at KeMCo starting June 3, two types of parfaits inspired by Utamaro and Sharaku will enliven the exhibition during different periods.

The attached museum shop carries exhibition catalogs from KeMCo and the Keio History Museum, as well as some Keio University original goods and books related to Fukuzawa Yukichi, allowing visitors to purchase them as souvenirs of their visit. "Cafe Hakkakuto" is a special place, rare on campus, where one can spend a peaceful time inside a historical building. When you visit the Mita Campus, why not stop by and reflect on history?

(Editorial Department)