Japan Coffee Culture: A Personal Journey into Japan’s Rich Coffee Tradition

Japan coffee culture is unlike any other in the world. It’s a mix of old and new, East and West, all uniquely blended to create an atmosphere that’s both sophisticated and approachable. For example, traditional kissaten serve coffee using classic siphon methods, while modern specialty cafes focus on artisanal pour-overs, blending Japanese attention to detail with Western brewing trends. Coffee was first introduced to Japan in the 18th century, but it didn’t become a household favorite until the 20th century, when it grew in popularity thanks to Western influences.

Today, coffee is everywhere in Japan. You’ll find it in upscale cafes, on convenience store shelves, and even in vending machines that dot the bustling streets of every major city. In fact, there are over 5 million vending machines across Japan, many offering hot and cold coffee options. Japanese coffee culture values quality, attention to detail, and an artisanal touch—something that really stood out to me during my visit.

Key Elements of Japan’s Coffee Culture

1. Coffee Milk in Japan
One of the first things I tried when I arrived in Japan was their famous “coffee milk” (or コーヒーミルク). Coffee milk is a sweetened, milky coffee that’s incredibly popular, especially among young people and as a nostalgic drink for older generations. It’s sold in convenience stores, vending machines, and even some cafes, often in nostalgic-looking glass bottles. The taste is creamy and comforting, similar to an iced latte but with a unique sweetness that’s distinctly Japanese.

2. Vending Machine Coffee
Imagine walking through Tokyo in the early morning. You feel like a fresh cup of coffee would make your day just right—and there it is, a vending machine offering hot, freshly brewed coffee. Japan’s coffee vending machines are a marvel of convenience. They offer different types of coffee, from black to latte to even the Coca-Cola branded coffee that I stumbled upon. Yes, “Japan Coca-Cola Coffee” is a thing, and it was surprisingly tasty with a caramel-like sweetness that blended well with the coffee bitterness.

3. Specialty Cafes and Kissaten
Japan’s cafe scene is a fascinating blend of new-wave specialty cafes—focused on artisanal coffee and modern brewing techniques—and traditional coffee houses, known as “kissaten.” Kissaten are small, family-run establishments that have been around for decades, offering a taste of classic Japan. I visited one in Kyoto, where I was served siphon coffee—brewed right at my table—in a quiet, serene atmosphere. On the other hand, Tokyo is filled with modern specialty cafes, like Fuglen Coffee Japan, a Norwegian-Japanese fusion cafe that provides an incredible experience of modern, high-quality coffee in a Scandinavian-style setting.