Meet Mitsuo Shimbo, local Chiba soul surfer, husband, father, Shiba Inu lover, owner of 2 vintage Airstreams and Chiba’s most popular best kept secret, Travel Coffee. Shimbo is a man of very few words, and even less English, but his shop and home compound is bursting with personality and classic Americana artifacts. Click the link to see the full article and photo feature.
Meet Mitsuo Shimbo, local Chiba soul surfer, husband, father, Shiba Inu lover, owner of 2 vintage Airstreams and Chiba’s most popular best kept secret, Travel Coffee.
Shimbo is a man of very few words, and even less English, but his shop and home compound is bursting with personality and classic Americana artifacts. The beachside coffee shop feels like it’s straight out of the 50’s and they are serving up all sorts of goodies out of the small bar / kitchen area. Stacks of vintage magazines are laid out on the counter to read in between surfs, among them is Japan’s very first surf magazine. The back yard hosts many local music events and impromptu happenings. It’s also where Shimbo and his family live in 2 parked Airstream campers. Welcome to the happy, simple life you heard your grandparents rave about!
Mitsuo Shimbo, owner of Travel Coffee.
Chiba. I’ve lived in this area for 10 years.
22 years.
Yes, it has changed a lot. It has more attractions and a cool welcoming vibe that opens up to new visitors.
There are consistent waves throughout the year and the laid back atmosphere, it’s not too busy.
I first started living here out of my airstream van and had no plans starting up my coffee shop, but I realized that there were no good coffee shops or any local hubs to even hang out or pop in and say Hi. So I decided to do it myself.
2 years and 6 months.
Perhaps Nick Saxon (from Australia), but everyone who has come has been great — and thanks!
I searched for them on the internet and had them shipped here. One is a 1948 from Indiana and the other is a 1952 from Texas.
Just to keep doing what I love to do. Not wanting much, not needing much, just happy as it is now. Serving good coffee and have a laugh with my friends and customers.
/ Photography and interview by Matt Titone
Thanks to Hiromi Matsubara
A goofy-footed graphic designer who hails from the first state, Delaware. After attending Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL then graduating from SCAD in Savannah, GA with a BFA in Graphic Design and Illustration, Matt moved to NYC and found work as a freelance designer and art director. In 2006 he moved west to Venice, CA where he co-founded ITAL/C Studio and now resides a bit further north in Oxnard.
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