Is it easy to find good coffee in Japan?

Question

Japanese restaurants here in London often don't have cappucino machines, or serve coffee - they just have tea. Is it like this in Japan too? We'll be visiting later this year, and I get bad caffeine withdrawal headaches without coffee! We'll be mostly in Tokyo, but also travelling a bit outside the city.

Answer 1

There are Starbucks shops everywhere, especially in Tokyo. There are also many vending machines throughout Japan that dispense "canned coffee", give the hot coffee out of the can a try! Look for the red labeling under the displayed drink (blue labeling means cold drink, red means hot).

Answer 2

Coffee is very popular in Japan, it's just that it doesn't go with a lot of Japanese food, hence no cappucino in the restaurants you've been to.

You can find coffee everywhere you go in Japan, from the possible family restaurant in your hotel, to the vending machine right outside, to the convenience store across the street, to the cafe just down the street.

You can even find "Canadian coffee" cafes once in awhile. I was a little perplexed seeing those places: Banff cafe, Whistler Village cafe, etc. shaped like a chalet in a ski resort.

You can buy iced coffee at most grocery stores, along with other more normal varieties.

I'm not a big coffee drinker, but I saw it absolutely everywhere. One guy I worked with was strung out on it every day.

People in the countryside also like coffee. You will be very hard-pressed to find anywhere in Japan where you can't find coffee.

That's sort of like my worries about having to drink sake. I didn't particularly like sake before going to Japan, so I was wondering how that would go. It turns out that beer is just about as popular as it is in Australia or Germany.

Answer 3

It has been said, by people better qualified than me (in other words, people who actually touch coffee!) that the quality of Japanese coffee is equally inferior and just as cr*p as American coffee. Hardly surprising as it's based on the American version of coffee.

It depends what you want really, if you want continental coffee - strong enough to blind at first sip - forget it. If you want something milder, you might be okay. But if you'll be staying in hotels you can bring a couple of jars of your fave brand - there's normally a 'kettle' of sorts in each hotel room and you can make your own - bring or buy a flask and carry it around with you!

If you do bring jars, don't forget to pack them carefully! Wrap them in plastic bags, then in clothing, then maybe tie them in another bag to stop the clothes coming loose. I've brought all sorts of fragiles in my suitcase like that - teapots, crockery, jars of marmalade and marmite, etc.

Answer 4

Oh, it's very easy. In Japan, food (and drink) has to be very good or the place that sells it goes out of business. It's a little expensive to get coffee there, but it's quite good. It's harder to find bad coffee than good, in fact.

Answer 5

I'm of the opinion that the siphon coffee served in a typical Japanese coffee shop is the best. Just ask for blend kohi. Ask for American kohi if you like weak coffee.

Answer 6

There are not only STARBUCKS COFFEE but Tully's Coffee, EXCELSIOR CAFFE, PRONTO, ST-MARC CAFE, Seattle's Best Coffee, DOUTOR Coffee Shop, and many more.

You can easily find them. Don't worry!

Since I'm pregnant, I'm drinking decaf... I miss strong caffeinated coffee!!

Answer 7

Not to worry. There are plenty of Starbucks all through out Japan.

Answer 8

mister donuts coffee better and cheaper than starbucks, maybe even more stores, plus free refills and often cute prizes for points accumulations.....and oh yeah, they have great donuts

decaf coffee is almost impossible to find anywhere in Japan, so bring some instant decaf with you

Answer 9

much delious our coffee than in japan you want try?

Answer 10

Yes, they have Starbucks and other brands too.