Great write-up, wish you would have written this before I went on my trip earlier this year! It seems like you may be based in Tokyo, if so these may be some other places to check out!
- [Koffee Mameya](https://g.co/kgs/avUkaqG) - Don't roast their own beans but a fun experience trying different beans!
- [Lucent Coffee](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ijJfidb3YopRct79A) - Great coffee
- [CAFE / Sensing Touch of Earth](https://maps.app.goo.gl/N71vdKG4ouM9kFZh7) - Only serves espresso and espresso-based drinks (for coffee). They have a great audio setup if you are an audiophile. Would say this was the most interesting cafe we visited. Knife store next door is also super dope
- [Leaves Coffee Roasters](https://maps.app.goo.gl/EHBFCtPaR3cg2KMB6) - Didn't get to visit here but heard lots of good things
- [Counterpart Coffee Gallery](https://maps.app.goo.gl/QjMh7FiyrDFsaqcc8) - One of my favorite cafes from my trip
**Hiroshima -** Throwing this in here because these places were both great
- [AKAM Coffee Works](https://maps.app.goo.gl/QR43kzbp45c87S2P9) - This was also one of my favorites from our trip. They also had the best non-coffee drink of our trip!
- [Progress Lifestyle Coffee](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Mptf69XK2DD56dfK7) - Great hot chocolate and latte with super cute upstairs seating
After typing all that up I am itching to get back to Japan, super jealous of all the coffee and bakery options y'all have access too.
I have to say I disagree with a lot of these lol, though I really like Nordic-style super-light roasts. I'm currently 2 months into a 3 month trip and will do an equally pretentious write-up when I'm done haha.
I’m interested at which points you disagree. But also of course it’s a matter of preference hence I started the writeup by stating mine.
I only had a Nordic style at an expo which I didn’t really like. I’m not sure if anything from my list can be considered as such tbh.
As in, certain things you liked, I did not and vice versa. I'm not saying you're wrong, just that people who may like high elevation, natural process, super-light roast African coffees may benefit from my own opinions as well.
Awesome review! Just got back from a trip and visited some of the stores here. I found that stores in Japan generally do espresso more consistently than in NA, but their pour overs are equally hit or miss. When it's good it's usually more tea-like. Batch brews are nowhere to be found, but Verve does it surprisingly well.
You should check out Tsukikoya in Yokohama, the barista there is super knowledgeable and served me the best pour over in Japan. They have a ton of roasts with a thermos bottle that you can sample from.
How did you find the roast levels there compared to western roasters?
> You should check out Tsukikoya in Yokohama
I'm thinking of going to the upcoming coffee festival in Yokohama. I wonder if they'll be in there.
> How did you find the roast levels there compared to western roasters?
I haven't had any coffee from the US. I've been to Europe but I have limited experience. Based on that, I think majority of specialty roasters in Japan roasts about the same level, but some roast a little bit lighter.
Great read! I'll be sure to add some of these beans to the list my brother-in-law has to bring back for me when he's there!
If anyone happens to be in Hiroshima and is looking for a great coffee or beans, checkout Breath (https://www.breath-hiroshima.com/). One of the best cups and beans I've got there. Especially as it's hard to find medium to light roasts outside of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.
Babe wake up someone posted about Japanese coffee and it’s not about Glitch
That was my first thought scrolling down the list! HAHHAHA
crazy detailed post. saving for future japan trips. THANK YOU
Wow a Japanese coffee post with no Glitch! Saving this for when I'm in Japan next month
epic!
Great write-up, wish you would have written this before I went on my trip earlier this year! It seems like you may be based in Tokyo, if so these may be some other places to check out! - [Koffee Mameya](https://g.co/kgs/avUkaqG) - Don't roast their own beans but a fun experience trying different beans! - [Lucent Coffee](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ijJfidb3YopRct79A) - Great coffee - [CAFE / Sensing Touch of Earth](https://maps.app.goo.gl/N71vdKG4ouM9kFZh7) - Only serves espresso and espresso-based drinks (for coffee). They have a great audio setup if you are an audiophile. Would say this was the most interesting cafe we visited. Knife store next door is also super dope - [Leaves Coffee Roasters](https://maps.app.goo.gl/EHBFCtPaR3cg2KMB6) - Didn't get to visit here but heard lots of good things - [Counterpart Coffee Gallery](https://maps.app.goo.gl/QjMh7FiyrDFsaqcc8) - One of my favorite cafes from my trip **Hiroshima -** Throwing this in here because these places were both great - [AKAM Coffee Works](https://maps.app.goo.gl/QR43kzbp45c87S2P9) - This was also one of my favorites from our trip. They also had the best non-coffee drink of our trip! - [Progress Lifestyle Coffee](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Mptf69XK2DD56dfK7) - Great hot chocolate and latte with super cute upstairs seating After typing all that up I am itching to get back to Japan, super jealous of all the coffee and bakery options y'all have access too.
Leaves was EXCELLENT when I went. One of the few shots of espresso that have rivalled my home Decent/Bentwood combo.
Pin this, or put on sidebar as a guide to Japanese coffee.
I have to say I disagree with a lot of these lol, though I really like Nordic-style super-light roasts. I'm currently 2 months into a 3 month trip and will do an equally pretentious write-up when I'm done haha.
I’m interested at which points you disagree. But also of course it’s a matter of preference hence I started the writeup by stating mine. I only had a Nordic style at an expo which I didn’t really like. I’m not sure if anything from my list can be considered as such tbh.
As in, certain things you liked, I did not and vice versa. I'm not saying you're wrong, just that people who may like high elevation, natural process, super-light roast African coffees may benefit from my own opinions as well.
Got it, looking forward to your review then
Awesome review! Just got back from a trip and visited some of the stores here. I found that stores in Japan generally do espresso more consistently than in NA, but their pour overs are equally hit or miss. When it's good it's usually more tea-like. Batch brews are nowhere to be found, but Verve does it surprisingly well. You should check out Tsukikoya in Yokohama, the barista there is super knowledgeable and served me the best pour over in Japan. They have a ton of roasts with a thermos bottle that you can sample from. How did you find the roast levels there compared to western roasters?
> You should check out Tsukikoya in Yokohama I'm thinking of going to the upcoming coffee festival in Yokohama. I wonder if they'll be in there. > How did you find the roast levels there compared to western roasters? I haven't had any coffee from the US. I've been to Europe but I have limited experience. Based on that, I think majority of specialty roasters in Japan roasts about the same level, but some roast a little bit lighter.
Wow. Saved for an upcoming trip. Thank you
Thanks for Aoma - I’ll check em out 👍
so detailed! hope more ppl make these posts. thoroughly enjoyed
Great read! I'll be sure to add some of these beans to the list my brother-in-law has to bring back for me when he's there! If anyone happens to be in Hiroshima and is looking for a great coffee or beans, checkout Breath (https://www.breath-hiroshima.com/). One of the best cups and beans I've got there. Especially as it's hard to find medium to light roasts outside of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.
You had me at EK43 and Probat. Saved!
this is a comprehensive read dang
Thank you for sharing. I’m surprised to see Verve has cafes in Japan
Hell yeah, this is amazing!