Musashino Mori Coffee Japan Guide: Melt-in-Mouth Souffle Pancakes & Forest Cafe

Quick Facts

What it is

Musashino Mori Coffee, operated by Skylark Restaurants Co., Ltd. (part of Skylark Holdings Co., Ltd.), is an upscale café chain built around the serene concept of an "All-Day Living Room in a Highland Resort" (Kōgen Resort no All-Day Living). Inspired by the forested mountain retreats of Karuizawa, its interiors feature rich wood paneling, warm lighting, deep cushioned sofas, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and individual electrical charging outlets at almost every table. The café's crowning glory is its celebrated "Fuwa-toro" Souffle Pancake—a cloud-like confection whipped with fresh egg meringue upon each order that literally dissolves on the tongue like fallen snow. Paired with 100% certified organic Rainforest Alliance coffee and generous morning breakfast sets, it offers a peaceful sanctuary for travelers.

How to order

Dining at Musashino Mori Coffee is an unhurried, luxurious café experience:

1. Be seated by the host: Walk in and be guided to a comfortable lounge booth or leather armchair table.
2. Switch the tablet to English: Pick up the tabletop touchscreen tablet and toggle the language to English or Chinese.
3. Decide on Souffle Pancakes (Hot vs. Chilled):
   • *Warm / Freshly Baked (Atsu-atsu)*: Baked fresh to order; takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes to whip meringue and bake in the oven. Served trembling with whipped butter and maple syrup.
   • *Chilled (Hiyashi)*: Pre-cooled to a rich, silky custard-like cheesecake texture, served immediately with seasonal fruits.
4. Order on the tablet: Select your pancakes, savory dishes (like buckwheat galettes, pasta, or Hawaiian loco moco), and beverages.
5. Take advantage of the Morning Service (Until 10:30 AM): If dining before 10:30 AM, ordering any single beverage automatically qualifies you for a complimentary breakfast toast set (thick-cut buttered toast with your choice of boiled egg, fruit yogurt, or sweet red bean anko) at zero extra charge!
6. Recharge devices at your seat: Plug your smartphone or laptop into the AC power outlets embedded along the wall or booth base.
7. Pay at the exit register: When finished (no tipping is required in Japan), take your table check folder to the front cashier to pay.

What to order first

All dishes below are officially featured on the Musashino Mori Coffee Official Menu and row reference data (prices subject to seasonal updates):

• *"Fuwa-toro" Souffle Pancake (Tokusei Fuwa-toro Pancake)*: The chain's signature masterpiece—fluffy, trembling ricotta cheese souffle pancakes whipped with fresh meringue and served with maple syrup; priced around ¥700–¥1,000 tax-included (as of September 26, 2026).
• *100% Organic Drip Coffee (Dark Roast / Mild Roast)*: Certified organic coffee beans roasted dark or mild, served in oversized ceramic mugs for around ¥500 tax-included (as of September 26, 2026).
• Free Morning Service Toast (Opening until 10:30 AM): Included free with any drink order; thick toasted Japanese milk bread with butter, plus your choice of boiled egg, caramel banana, or Ogura anko.
• Buckwheat Galettes & Loco Moco Plates: Savory lunch staples including crispy bacon-and-egg French galettes and juicy 100% beef hamburg loco moco bowls, priced around ¥1,100–¥1,600 tax-included (as of September 26, 2026).
• Fruit Tea & Specialty Iced Lattes: Colorful carafes of fresh strawberry and citrus iced tea and whipped cream espresso drinks.

Payment & practical info

Amenities and payment gateways are standardized across the Skylark chain (check the Official Store Directory for branch specifics):

• Accepted Payment Methods: Accepts cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, etc.), electronic money (iD, QUICPay, Rakuten Edy), and smartphone QR code apps (PayPay, Rakuten Pay, d-barai, au PAY, Merpay, Alipay, WeChat Pay).
• Pancake Baking Time Notice: Because the warm souffle pancakes are prepared from raw egg whites whipped into meringue upon order, expect a 15-to-20-minute baking wait. Budget relaxed time for your visit.
• Work & Laptop Friendly: With free `Skylark Free Wi-Fi` and electrical power sockets at nearly every booth, it is one of the most comfortable chains in Japan for remote work, trip planning, and photo editing.
• Spacious Suburban Parking: Most suburban roadside locations offer generous free customer parking lots.
• Tax-Free Status: Not eligible for tax-free shopping. Café dining is classified as domestic consumption.

Good to know / Common mistakes

• Ordering pancakes when rushing for a train: The freshly baked warm souffle pancakes cannot be rushed—they take a solid 15 to 20 minutes to bake in the oven. If you are on a tight schedule, order the "Chilled" pancake or light sandwiches instead.
• Missing the 10:30 AM free toast window: Just like Nagoya-style coffee shops, ordering any cup of coffee before 10:30 AM gives you free thick-cut buttered toast and toppings. Don't pay for breakfast separately!
• Overlooking power outlets: AC electrical outlets are built into the walls or below the sofa seat cushions. Bring your charging cable to top up your camera or phone during afternoon tea.
• Tipping the staff: Tipping is never accepted in Japan. Pay the exact printed amount at the cashier counter.

Sources

• Musashino Mori Coffee Official Website: https://www.skylark.co.jp/mmcoffee/ (Verified: 2026-09-26)
• Skylark Group Store Locator: https://store-info.skylark.co.jp/mmcoffee/ (Verified: 2026-09-26)