Cookies and Banana Lattes

Hey everyone!
I know I talked about coffee last week, but I recently visited a new café that opened near the base of Mt. Tsukuba’s shrine. Not only do they serve great coffee, but they also make some excellent cookies—definitely worth trying for anyone in Ibaraki or hikers making their way up to the summit.
Today, I’ll be talking about Tsukuba's own 877.

877

Some of you reading this might be experiencing a bit of déjà vu. “Hey, Mr. Ibaraki Eats, didn’t you already talk about this place last year?” you might be wondering. I did write about a place called 877 Stand, which is not to be confused with 877. 877 Stand is located near the Mt. Tsukuba cable car entrance, between the two peaks of Mt. Tsukuba at the top of the mountain. I had a great experience there and enjoyed an amazing cold coffee.
877, on the other hand, is a newer café and souvenir shop that opened last February. It’s located closer to Mt. Tsukuba Shrine. Once you pass through the large red torii gate leading up to the shrine, you’ll find 877 on the left side of the road.
Unfortunately, the café doesn’t have its own parking lot, so you’ll need to use one of the many paid parking lots along the road near the shrine and souvenir shops. Since I had a day off a few Mondays ago, I decided to give the new 877 a try. I had heard great things about their cookies and their unique coffee, so I was excited to check it out.

Inside

After climbing the small set of yellow stairs leading to the entrance, I opened the door and was greeted by the ordering counter. Everything in 877 looks brand new, which is to be expected since the café and souvenir shop opened in February. On the left side of the cafe is the souvenir section, filled with shirts, 877 mugs, coffee beans, and special Mt. Tsukuba towels. Nearby, there are crate seats and tables for customers who want to enjoy their coffee and food inside the shop. I then walked up to the newly painted yellow counter to check out the menu.

The Menu

Good news! The 877 menu is available in both English and Japanese. At the top of the coffee menu, you’ll find the usual espresso-based drinks like Americanos, lattes, and espresso. However, 877 also offers some interesting options. Their signature 877 latte includes banana along with espresso, and they even have an espresso banana shake, which sounds delicious.
Next is the cookie menu, which is also written in English, making it easy to see all the available options. I decided to try all the cookies along with an 877 latte.

877 Latte

After I ordered my latte, I watched the staff member at 877 make it, which was really interesting. She first added what looked like banana pudding, then poured in the espresso and milk, and finally topped it with small banana chips.
When I took my first sip, the banana flavor hit me immediately. I was surprised by how strongly the latte tasted of bananas. After that initial burst, the rich espresso flavor followed shortly. It was a really nice combination of sweet banana upfront, with a bold espresso finish.
What impressed me most was how smooth the latte was. I had expected the banana pudding to make it a bit too thick, but that wasn’t the case at all. I enjoyed this latte a lot, and I’d really like to try 877’s espresso shake next.
After finishing my delicious latte, it was time to head home with my cookies. But before leaving, I decided to enjoy one near a viewing platform on Mt. Tsukuba, taking in both the cookie and the view.

Chocolate Chunk

I found a small viewing platform near my parking area and took one of the cookies out of my takeout bag. It was the chocolate chunk cookie, and it was still warm. The kind staff member at 877 had heated it up for me before I left.
I took a bite and was immediately transported to a world of cookie dough and chocolate heaven. The chocolate melted in my mouth, followed by the small crunch of delicious walnuts. What I really loved about this cookie was that the chocolate struck the perfect balance. It wasn’t too sweet, but not too bitter either. Every bite delivered warm chocolate paired with that fresh, just-baked cookie flavor.
The size of the cookie was excellent. I usually prefer slimmer cookies, but this one had a beautifully puffed center. That center was packed with rich chocolate and walnuts, making each bite into it a delicious and blissful experience. Next time I get this cookie, I think it deserves the milk dunk test. I’m 100% sure it would pass. Excellent cookie, 877.
After finishing my cookie, I headed back home. Later that night, I had dinner with Mrs. Ibaraki Eats and gave her the extra chocolate chunk cookie I had bought for her, warming it up beforehand. She instantly loved it and couldn’t wait to try the other flavors of cookies I had in the takeout bag.

877= Banana?

Yes,this is the actual the name of this cookie. In Japanese, the number 8 can be pronounced “ba” (which I learned for the first time), and 7 is “nana.” Put together, 877 becomes “banana.”
This cookie absolutely lives up to its name. It’s packed with banana flavor. It has fried banana slices mixed into the dough and placed on top. If you love bananas, this is definitely the cookie for you. The two standout flavors are fresh cookie dough and rich banana, and they complement each other really well.
As I bit into the cookie, I couldn’t help but think it would make a great breakfast treat. It feels a bit indulgent, but also somewhat wholesome. A nice and somewhat healthy way to start the day. My wife agreed and said we should buy another banana cookie to enjoy with our morning coffee.

Double Chocolate

If the chocolate chunk cookie doesn’t have enough chocolate for you, then the double chocolate cookie is the one to go for. It’s a rich, dark cookie filled with deep, chocolatey goodness. Taking a bite felt like my taste buds were diving into a lake of chocolate. My whole mouth was filled with rich cocoa flavor, balanced by a subtle hint of salt. It’s a combination I can definitely get behind.
Warming this cookie up is a must. Nothing beats melted chocolate on the tongue, followed by that fresh, chocolatey cookie dough texture.
This was Mrs. Ibaraki Eats’ favorite cookie. She especially loved the balance of salt and chocolate, and she has stated that she wants to get this cookie again in the future.

877, you make a mean banana latte and some fantastic cookies. This is an incredible treat for anyone planning a visit to Mt. Tsukuba. I hope I can stop by again soon to grab more delicious cookies and coffee.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Mt. Tsukuba and want a tasty treat along the way to the summit, why not give 877 a try? Who knows? You might see me there, sipping on an 877 espresso shake while stocking up on some amazing cookies.
Enjoy!

For more information on 877, check out their Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/base877_/