The wonderful thing about Nakazakicho is that many café owners have come to the area not just to open a café, but to create a unique artistic space, or a haven of relaxation. Cafe Muni, with its hanging pot plants, bunches of dried flowers, and mosaic lanterns is one of these peaceful sanctuaries. The café is in one of the oldest nagaya (traditional Japanese wooden buildings) in the area – it is 160 years old. Owner, Yoko Tatera, who opened shop in 2009, lovingly bakes homemade whole-wheat sourdough bread to serve with her tasty lunch sets of spicy beans, minced meats, salads, and pasta dishes with homemade sauces for ¥860. One of the best parts about visiting Cafe Muni is hanging out with Yoko’s little dog Komuni-chan, who is the café’s unofficial mascot and who can be seen sprawled out on the shop’s front doorstep on any given day. Yoko makes one of the best chai teas in town, flavored with natural kibisato (mineral sugar), and both her creamy tiramisu and her matcha and white chocolate cake (¥410) are truly worth making a special trip for.