Like most nations, Japan was introduced to coffee through foreign trade. As with all countries that were newly exposed to the seemingly exotic tonic, it quickly became a symbol of worldly opulence only to be enjoyed by the upper echelons of society.
Coffee first arrived in Nagasaki, Japan at the turn of the 17th century via Dutch and Portuguese traders. It wasn’t until the late 19th century, however, that the Yale-educated businessman Eikei Tei opened the first Japanese coffee shop in Ueno, Tokyo (though Kahisakan Coffee House would go bankrupt just five years later).
The rich, luxurious caffeinated beverage would go on to experience peaks and troughs of popularity in the coming centuries. Coffee fell out of favour during the Second World War when foreign imports were banned, though the invention of canned, iced coffee by the ‘Father of Coffee’ Tadao Ueshima in 1969 ushered in a new wave of beany acclaim.
Ueshima, as his flattering nickname suggests, can be credited with pioneering contemporary ‘ready-to-drink’ coffee enjoyment in Japan throughout the 20th century and beyond. While small, dark and comforting coffee houses known as Kissaten had been working to perfect brews and blends in the interim years, it was Ueshima who democratised and commercialised coffee on a grand scale.
Japan’s penchant for artisanal creation in all facets of society is actually ingrained into the nation’s culture. It’s why, though coffee doesn’t originate in Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun has seemingly perfected it. According to Ueshima Coffee, the practice is known as Takumi – “the pursuit of perfection without compromise.”
Whether it be fashion, technology, architecture, accessories, cuisine, sweet treats or tasty beverages, Japan has mastered it all. If Omotesando Koffee in Soho is too far out of reach, we’ve curated a selection of the best Japanese coffee available to buy now.
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Ueshima House Blend Ground
For rich, balanced Japanese coffee rooted in perfection, look no further than Ueshima’s ground House Blend. On a scale of 1-5, the House Blend sits at a level 4 in strength and has notes of caramel, granola and dark chocolate. It has a lower acidity level for delicious morning enjoyment and has been perfected over decades by Ueshima’s Japanese coffee masters.
The latest Medium Roast beans are also a delight, named Takumi Blend after the Japanese word for ‘master’. This roast has been crafted using the finest sustainable coffee beans from Mexico and Kenya.
Buy now £3.25, Ocado
Bushido Red Katana ground coffee 227g
Expertly crafted in the Netherlands from premium Arabica beans using traditional, Japanese artisanal methods, the Bushido Red Katana Blend is a worldly amalgamation of speciality coffee expertise. It balances notes of sweet red berries, slightly sour ripe peach and sumptuous finishing notes of hazelnut.
Buy now £7.49, Selfridges
Seiko Coffee Nagomi Special Blend Drip Filter Bag Coffee
Beloved in metropolitan Japan, these handy and compact drip filter bags deliver the taste of fine stone-roasted drip coffee from the convenience of your home. They’re made using Seiko Coffee’s unique blend of Brazilian and Colombian coffee beans which are then ground using stone to release delightful flavours and aromas.
Buy now £8.55, Japan Centre
Hakuichi Gold Leaf Coffee
It simply doesn’t get more luxurious than Brazilian coffee beans blended with gold leaf. Crafted in Ishikawa using an innovative freeze-drying method, this indulgent blend actually shimmers when brewed.
Buy now £16.99, Japan Centre
Suntory BOSS Rainbow Mountain Blend Instant Coffee Drinks
Though Ueshima was the first coffee company to bring instant, canned coffee to market, Suntory BOSS instant coffees are a convenience store staple beloved across Japan. The Rainbow Mountain Blend can is typically enjoyed either over ice or heated up in the microwave. Fans of the classic drink credit it with a smooth, not overly sweet taste. It’s made with a complex variety of seven beans with a splash of milk and a sprinkling of sweetness.
Buy now £18.95, Amazon
Kiboko Coffee Co Usiku Blend
Kiboko’s Usiku Blend is made from 100 per cent Arabica beans from Ethiopia, India and Indonesia. Carefully and expertly blended for lovers of dark roasts, it’s imbued with rich-tasting notes of nougat, molasses and dark chocolate. Certainly not for the faint of heart.
Buy now £16.99, Kiboko Coffee Co
Onibus Coffee House Blend
Though it may cost a small fortune to have Onibus’ House Blend shipped over from Tokyo, it’s certainly worth the investment. Sticking to the Japanese trend of blending multiple different beans from varying origins, this blend includes Brazilian, Guatemalan and Ethiopian beans. It has a sweet, chocolatey taste and a creamy texture with a slightly acidic, long-lasting aftertaste.
Buy now £6.00, Onibus Coffee
