A Moment in Fugulen
Written by Hira Iqbal
One thing I learned about shopping in Japan is that when you buy something tax-free, you can only return it to the exact store where you made the purchase. That was an unexpected surprise. I walked into a Uniqlo in Ginza, and the employee, using Google Translate, politely wrote, 'You're in the wrong location.' She then pulled out a map, circled where we were, and showed me where I needed to go. All the Uniqlos were starting to blur together in my mind. To make the most of our time, Marwah and I decided to split up, which was the only time we did so during the trip. I kept a close eye on the time and my navigation. It was near the end of the workday, and the train was full of quiet commuters heading home. I couldn't help but wonder what each of them did for a living. When the doors opened at Asakusa Station, I got off and was able to finish my returns. With some time to spare before meeting Marwah for dinner, I wandered around window shopping. But by 6pm, I was absolutely exhausted. Anyone who spent a full day walking knows thats when the fatigue really hits. I decided to look for a nearby coffee shop where I could relax for a bit, and "Fugulen" was one of the few places still open. It looked familiar, as I remembered seeing it on my list of spots to check out.
Walking into Fugulen was an experience in itself. By now, the sun had set, and the soft, dim lighting inside created a magical atmosphereit felt cozy and inviting, despite the wooden furniture. Gentle music played in the background, adding to the charm. As I stood in line to order, I debated whether to get a coffee since it was getting late, and I didn't want to be up all night. The man working at the counter greeted me with a warm smile. 'Have you ever been here before?' he asked. I explained that I was just visiting. He then asked where I was from, how I was liking Japan, and what I'd been up to during my trip. In return, I asked if he was from here, and he laughed, telling me he grew up in a neighborhood not far away. He shared some interesting details about the cafe it's a Norwegian coffee shop, and this location is the second of six. When I asked what he recommended, he suggested a specialty latte, and of course, I wasn't going to say no to that. The coffee was as amazing as hoped. The craftsmanship of the cafe wasnt just evident in the Norwegian-designed furniture and rich coffee but in the ambiance and the warm, welcoming vibe the employees created. Even the customers seemed completely at easeat one table, a group of elderly men were playing cards. I wished I could bottle up the atmosphere of that cafethe kindness of the staff, the delicious coffee, and the sense of peace that came from simply being in a place where everyone seemed exactly where they were meant to be.
