By: J Gordon
January 20, 2020
My year in Japan. By coffee.
Ah, Japan. The land of the rising sun. The incredible country where I've been fortunate enough to spend a year enjoying beautiful sunrises paired with delicious cups of coffee. To commemorate my year in Japan, drinking coffee (and watching the sunrise) I am sharing my favourite and most treasured coffee spots throughout Japan. As much as I would love to share every Japanese coffee shop I've ever visited, here you will find my coffee recommendations from the three prefectures where I've spent the most time: Hokkaido, Tokyo and Osaka. Needless to say, there are countless other shops in Japan worth mentioning but I've tried my best to narrow it down to my top picks. If this isn't enough, you can follow my full coffee journey on @contempcoffeeculture to make all your caffeinated dreams come true.
Coffee in Japan is unique. Your standard coffee will be a "Dorippukōhī" which is Japanese for a "drip coffee." Drip is the most common method of brewing coffee in Japan. In most shops you'll be able to choose from a large variety of beans - many of which will have been roasted in house. Usually in Japanese shops the beans will be single origin and mostly come from South America and Africa. My usual coffee order prior to living in Japan was an oat milk cappuccino. Japanese coffee shops however, tend to have a small selection of alternative milks, so a black drip or an americano is now my go-to. Whether you are a converted black coffee drinker like myself or still enjoy a milky café latte, I can guarantee a pleasant coffee experience at any of these shops.
Continue reading to find out what I believe to be the best coffee Japan has to offer...
Hokkaido
Hokkaido coffee does not disappoint. Here I found some of the coziest coffee shops with the coolest baristas. Hokkaido is famous for it's delicious dairy products. One of the shops I visited in Sapporo "Baristart" only uses the finest of Hokkaido milk to make their delicious lattes. Though coffee is vital to their craft it's their milk and knowledge of how to use milk in coffee that makes Baristart so special. They currently don't have any alternative options but you can always order a long black to fulfil your coffee craving.
This spot gets extra points for being a super stylish and sustainable shop. Niseko Sanroku Parlour is a converted shipping container! Talk about cool. The couple built the shop together and have a lovely photo collage inside the shop detailing it's creation! Serving up amazing sandwiches (with a veggie falafel option), homemade ginger ale and of course the coffee of your choice. A must try if you are ever in Niseko!
Morihico coffee: named one of the best coffee shops in Hokkaido, and certainly a favourite of mine. The coffee is just one part of the experience. Located just outside of Sapporo proper, this shop is definitely worth the slight detour. The atmosphere here is everything, Morihico has all the best vibes. A beautiful library lines the back wall making this spot perfect for an afternoon sipping and reading.
One of my most memorable coffee stops was CARPOOL coffee stand in Otaru. After missing our train from Otaru to Niseko, a friend and I stumbled upon this contemporary and cozy shop. Run by a super cool Barista named Mina, this spot is one of a kind. Pulling on millennial's heart strings she's created a hip coffee stand by day and a relaxed local watering hole by night. CARPOOL is now one of my favourite spots in Hokkaido. This shop is known for partnering with cool new independent businesses in Hokkaido. Be it coffee, beer or a pop up shop, you never quite know what's waiting for you when you arrive. Though you can always count on a warm cup of joe.
Tokyo
Allpress Espresso Roastery & Cafe. This is hands down one of the most beautiful shops I've ever visited. An open, calm, atmospheric shop in the front with a beautiful roastery in the back. This shop is located in Kyiosumi Shiarakawa one of Tokyo's most up and coming coffee neighborhoods. Filled with galleries, coffeeshops, and independent shops, it's a perfect place to spend a day out exploring in Tokyo.
After exploring the streets of Harajuku dotcom space is great spot to enjoy a drip coffee and escape the bustle of the streets above. Located down a set of unassuming stairs in the middle of Harajuku, you just might miss it. This minimalist space is great for both your coffee fix and a quick shop around for the best coffee ware. They have the trendiest kettles, drippers and cups in town.
In the up and coming hipster town of Nakameguro, Tokyo you will find the infamous Onibus coffee. A beautiful moss covered building with skilled baristas waiting to give you your caffeine fix. Before visiting Onibus I had been dreaming about visiting for years! I first saw the shop on an instagram account years ago and have been hoping to visit ever since - it's safe to say it didn't disappoint. I went to Onibus one afternoon on a pitstop through Tokyo. I brought my book, sipped on a drip coffee and admired this shop's one of a kind beauty.
Osaka
Ourlog coffee. This shop is especially near and dear to my heart. Partly owned by one of my good friends, Kyle. Ourlog is stylish, welcoming and always comes with an excellent cup of coffee. Kyle is a very knowledgeable barista who's worked in many different coffee shops around the world. From Korea, America and Australia to Japan - he's seen it all. His partner bakes up delicious cakes and treats that are extremely hard to resist and my advice is don't. Try it all. My go-to Ourlog order is an americano and a slice of raw cheese cake.
Takamura is so much more than a cup of coffee and a glass of wine. This shop is definitely one of the coolest spaces I have been to in Japan. The top floor is an open and modern space which often hosts coffee and wine tastings. Downstairs you'll find a large selection of Japanese and imported wines, snacks and various organic products. Going to Takamura is a day out in itself. The area has tons of fun little shops and beautiful parks to stroll past with a takeaway coffee. This is the spot to impress your friends with on your next coffee date. Freshly roasted coffee and one of the best atmosphere's in Osaka, what more could you ask for?
My coffee journey always takes me to some of the most interesting and hidden parts of the cities I visit. Of course, in visiting coffee shops I am able to fulfil my coffee craving but this journey is also all about meeting the baristas, owners, shop regulars and fellow explorers, all experiencing how coffee brings likeminded people together. I am always searching for the best shops and setting off on new coffee adventures. For all things coffee you're welcome to follow my coffee blog @contempcoffeeculture - a page to explore coffee culture today and all it encompasses.
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