TOKYO: If Japanese people want to taste authentic Turkish coffee, they no longer need to go to Istanbul; they can just go to Shimokitazawa, Tokyo’s most eclectic area.

Placed within a busy shopping street in front of a police box, a small van decorated with Turkish lamps and ornaments serves unique coffee blends.

The coffee spot entitled “The Mosque Coffee” offers a diverse menu of traditional coffee, soda and alcoholic beverages.

The owner of the Mosque Coffee, Masanori Koyama, parks his van in a small area that also has other vendors and opens from 11 A.M. to 8 P.M.

“I traveled the world and wanted to share in Japan what I have learned overseas, especially in Turkey,” Koyama said.

“This is the only place in Japan you can drink authentic Turkish coffee,” Koyama added.

He brews his coffee with a tiny, long-stemmed copper pan on hot sands and pours it into a cup when it boils. The café has regular customers that come repeatedly to experience the deep aromatic taste of its coffee.

The basic cup of coffee is 400 Japanese yen (around $4), while soda mixed with Turkish herbs and alcoholic drinks such as Turkish craft beer are priced at around 700-900 yen (around $7-9).