Yes, coffee was first introduced into Japan in the 1700’s, but wasn’t fully integrated into mainstream culture there until the turn of the twentieth century. Initially considered second choice to Japan’s traditional tea or sake, coffee consumption has peaked significantly in recent years and become a billion-dollar industry, making Japan one of the highest coffee-drinking countries in the world!
Read on to enjoy an overview of Japanese coffee culture, the various ways and outlets in which the Japanese buy and consume their coffee, plus the impact of emerging coffee trends on Japanese tea culture.
When Did Coffee Become Popular In Japan?
Coffee culture didn’t really hit its stride in Japan until the late 19th century, when local coffee houses known as ‘kissatens’ really became popular. Kissatens were simple cafes, serving only black coffee or tea in a convivial ambience, conducive to socializing. Canned coffee subsequently arrived in Japan in the 1960’s, swiftly followed by vending machines selling hot and cold coffee, after which the Japanese welcomed Westernized modern coffee chains into everyday culture.
What Is The ‘Third Wave’ Of Coffee Culture Happening Now in Japan?
The ‘first wave’ refers to the instant coffee which sprung up during the 1960s, evolving into the second wave from approximately the 1960s to the year 2000, when modern American coffee chains and their Japanese equivalents hit the mainstream; the emphasis being on location, convenience, mass production, and faddy new flavors. The current ‘third wave’ is all about good quality coffee and precision brewing; it refers to barista-perfected or artisanal coffee, characterized by carefully sourced beans, in-store roasting, and precision brewing methods such as the pour-over.
Do The Japanese Drink Black Coffee?
Yes, coffee will generally be served black with optional milk and sugar, but like everything else in Japan, it comes in all shapes and sizes and can be served hot, cold or iced, and in a number of different ways. One of the most popular canned coffee brands is: ‘BOSS no sugar, black’ and can be bought in convenience stores, who also sell decent quality machine or drip coffee.
Why Is Canned Coffee So Popular Amongst The Japanese?
Canned coffee is popular largely due to its convenience. The Japanese are all about efficiency and productivity, so for a quick caffeine hit, canned coffee is widely available in local stores and vending machines everywhere in Japan. It is cheap, easy to consume, and comes in a variety of different styles and flavors.
What Is The Best Convenience Store Coffee In Japan?
According to the NTT ‘Docomo Minna no Koe Survey’ conducted in 2019, 7-Eleven was ranked first in a survey of 3000 people as the no.1 convenience store coffee in Japan. Focusing primarily on coffee quality and serving speed, they reputedly sell an average of 130 cups of coffee per day per store, making almost 4 billion yen a year in coffee revenue alone.
Is Starbucks in Japan?
Yes, Starbucks has been in Japan for 25 years, with the first store opening in Tokyo in 1996. There were reportedly 1,685 Starbucks stores in Japan as of the end of September 2021, with ‘Espresso Affogato Frappuccino’ (two shots of espresso coffee mixed with vanilla frappuccino mix)
being one of the most popular drinks of choice.
What Is The Most Popular Japanese Coffee Chain?
‘Doutor’s’ coffee chain has been popular in Japan since 1976, accruing over 1,100 coffee shops and rivalled by other big chains such as: Excelsior and Tully’s. During coffee’s current ‘third wave’, artisanal independent coffee shops are giving the big chains a run for their money, as the method of brewing from bean to cup has filtered successfully into Japanese life, along with its intricate roasting strategies, bean selection, and precision brewing techniques.
Can You Get Good Coffee In Tokyo?
100% yes! Tokyo is enjoying a spotlight moment when it comes to coffeeshop culture and is currently lauded as one of the best cities in the world for drinking coffee. Tokyo excels at whatever style of coffee you prefer, from the traditional Kissaten to the modern-day artisanal hipster hangout. If you’re in search of tradition, Ginza’s Café de l’Ambre is the place to visit. Established in 1948, it is a smoke-filled, dimly lit, wood-paneled refuge from modern life. Alternatively, if you want to go modern, try Lattest Espresso bar, or Saturdays NYC Tokyo.
Is Matcha Tea As Popular As Coffee?
In much the same way as the Western world opened Japan’s eyes to coffee, so Japan introduced matcha green tea into the mainstream, with chains such as Starbucks adding matcha latte to its menu in 2018. Tea is embedded into the Japanese culture and many coffee shops sell tea-based drinks, such as matcha and houjicha lattes. There are a plethora of tea stands and contemporary tea shops everywhere, in addition to ‘Chashitsu’ tea rooms, where traditional Japanese tea ceremonies are performed by green tea specialists known as ‘charistas’, who will painstakingly instruct you on how to make your own matcha tea whilst kneeling on a tatami mat, delicately armed with a ceramic bowl and a bamboo whisk.
Is Coffee Drinking A Sociable Event In Japan?
Culture-wise, sociability around coffee-drinking differs greatly to that of tea. In Japan, tea-drinking is viewed as a unifying social event, as exemplified by the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Coffee, however, was initially regarded as a solo event, first popularized by Japanese businessmen, then social movements who used coffeehouses as meeting places during the 1970s and 1980s. Today, coffee culture in Japan has become an increasingly Westernized phenomenon, and you’re as likely to find a digital nomad on a Mac in a Kyoto coffeeshop as you are in NYC.
Is The Japanese Coffee Market Booming In Japan?
Yes, very much so, according to Japanese market research and expansion strategists ‘Tokyoesque’, who estimate that the Japanese coffee market was worth $29.9 million USD in 2020, with per capita consumption at 2kg annually, not to mention a whopping forecast of 3.5% year-on-year growth between 2020-2025.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.