Coffee of Japan
My experience in Japan was unprecedented - an entirely new and unfamiliar cultural experience, authentic, and a country very passionate about coffee. I visited about five coffee houses while I was in Japan, each of them with their own personality and coffee flair. While the love for coffee is a universal one, the experience of enjoying a caffeinated beverage in Japan will be unlike anything you have experienced prior. The common trend of coffee houses in Japan is that they are humble, but have an experience and product worth returning overseas for. I appreciate the taste for simplicity in Japanese design, it brews inspiration without being overwhelming. Extraordinary and straight to the point.
1. Coffee Shozo
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Hours: M, W, TH, F 9:30am to 7pm + weekends 11am to 7pm (closed Tuesdays)
My order: Iced Americano
Vegan Alternatives: No (order black coffee or bring your own alternative milk)
Atmosphere: Just about every restaurant, boutique, and coffee house in Japan is small in size and quaint in character. This coffee house is on a charming side street of one of the most bustling cities in Japan. Everything about this coffee house is comforting - from the simple design of wood, plant-life, and small windows decorating the exterior. The interior is small, and there is everything from baked goods, merchandise, and a limited seating area. However, on a beautiful day in Tokyo, there is nothing more relaxing than to enjoy their outdoor seating area. The location of this coffee house is ideal for grabbing your coffee and exploring the many boutiques and restaurants in the area. The only downside to a majority of the independent coffee houses in Tokyo is that they do not offer alternative milks. If you are lactose intolerant or dairy free for any reason, I would recommend buying almond or soy milk prior then adding it yourself or ordering black coffee. Visiting Japan definitely forced me to step outside of my confined box of espresso, almond milk, ice and sugar. I enjoyed the authenticity of their iced Americano - which was equal parts smooth with a very intense aftertaste. I would definitely return to enjoy this beverage.
2. Cafe Kitsune
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Hours: Everyday 9am to 7pm
My order: Iced Americano
Vegan Options: No (order black coffee or bring your own alternative milk)
Atmosphere: This coffee house is in walking distance of Coffee Shozo, but with a completely different atmosphere - one with bamboo chutes lining the entry way and an abundance of plant life. They had several different options for seating, but when you walk toward the back of the store, it looks like you just walked into someone’s dining room area. There are low wooden chairs and table tops, a few paintings, and small windows bringing in the natural light. It was very Asian inspired, and when I think about getting coffee in Japan, I think about Cafe Kitsune. Their logo was simple and to the point, and they had coffee mugs, tote bags, and of course their delicious coffee. Their iced Americano was delicious on its own, smooth and strong without kicking you in the face. There was no need for creamer or sugar, it was simply delicious on its own.
3. February Cafe
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Hours: Everyday 8:10am to 7pm
My order: Black coffee
Vegan Options: No (order black coffee or bring your own alternative milk)
Atmosphere: This coffee house was in walking distance of the hostel I stayed at, and it was a perfect gem in the district of Taito. It seems to be that the common trend of independent businesses in Japan is that they are humble, but will have an experience and product worth returning overseas for. The exterior of the February Cafe was lined with bikes, a few tables, and a sliding door into such a quaint interior. It felt like I was in a forest with a counter top that supplied delicious coffee. I ordered their black coffee, added my own almond milk, and sweetened it with their home made sugar. The sugar was to die for, and I definitely purchased some to bring home with me. They had breakfast options ranging from granola and yogurt to their signature toast which can be ordered savory or sweet. Overall, it was the perfect neighborhood coffee house.
Last, but not least - I have to tell you about the coffee festival my friend and I stumbled upon while exploring Tokyo. It was called the Tokyo Coffee Festival, and there were vendors sampling their coffee from Germany, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Japan (among other countries). It was literally a world-wind of coffee, and they featured coffee from the coffee houses I reviewed above as well. The festival also had a farmer’s market with vendors selling the most delicious fresh fruit, tea, flowers, home made chocolate bars and baked goods, vegan food, and puppies for adoption. You heard me correctly - If I lived in Japan, I could have adopted a dog, picked up my fresh fruits and vegetables, purchased a bag of coffee beans from Germany, and been on my way. It was the perfect one stop shop for all your daily necessities, and the best part about the experience was that all of the vendors wanted to be there. Everyone was happy, enthusiastic about their product, and more than willing to help you learn about how their culture made their coffee unique. As you can probably tell, I was very taken by Japan. If my career allowed it, I would move there in a heart beat.