Reading material
What is Japan's coffee culture?
What is Japan's coffee culture?
- A thorough explanation of specialty coffee from history to the present day -
When you think of coffee, you may have a strong image of the West, but Japan is actually one of the countries that has built up its own unique coffee culture. Coffee was introduced to Japan by the Dutch during the Edo period, and spread to the general public with the opening up of the country in the Meiji period, and coffee shop culture took root through the Taisho and Showa periods. Today, new trends known as specialty coffee and third wave coffee are spreading, and Japan's coffee culture is attracting attention from around the world.
The history of coffee in Japan
Edo period: First introduction
It is said that coffee first came to Japan in the 17th century when the Dutch brought it to Japan through Dejima in Nagasaki. At the time, it was still unfamiliar to the common people, and was often treated as a medicine by some intellectuals and doctors.
Meiji Period: The Birth of the Coffee Shop
The first authentic coffee shop in Japan, Kahisakan, opened in Ueno, Tokyo in 1888, and coffee became a symbol of Western culture. For Meiji intellectuals and students, coffee shops became places for socializing and discussion, and coffee became a symbolic drink of the era.
Taisho and Showa: The Golden Age of Coffee Culture
During the Taisho Democracy era, the number of cafes in urban areas rapidly increased. In the Showa era, "pure coffee shops" spread throughout the country, and carefully prepared coffee brewed using siphons or cloth filters became an everyday sight. Coffee shops also played a major role as places where literary figures and artists gathered.
Characteristics of Japanese coffee culture
1. The depth of "coffee shop culture"
In Japan, coffee shops are not just places to drink coffee; they are spaces that have shaped the culture. They play an integral role in daily life, whether it be quietly reading a book, chatting with friends, or working.
2. Commitment to extraction technology
It is a culture unique to Japan that has elevated brewing methods such as siphons and cloth drips to the level of art. The technical skill that pays attention to detail is highly acclaimed overseas as well.
3. Fusion with Japanese cuisine and sweets
Although coffee is a Western drink, in Japan it is enjoyed paired with rice balls and Japanese sweets. In recent years, blended drinks with matcha and hojicha have also appeared, demonstrating the diversity that is so characteristic of Japan.
The modern Japanese coffee scene
The spread of third wave coffee
In recent years, specialty coffee shops have been increasing nationwide. The trend of pursuing fruity, clear flavors that take advantage of differences in production areas and processing methods is gaining popularity, especially among the younger generation.
The evolution of convenience store and home coffee
A unique evolution in Japan is the spread of authentic drip coffee at convenience stores and easy-to-make equipment for enjoying coffee at home, which has made coffee even more familiar to people.
Global recognition
Japanese roasters and baristas are highly regarded at international competitions, and their strengths, particularly their "exquisite flavor creation" and "delicate extraction techniques," are world-class.
Japanese Coffee and BONGEN COFFEE
BONGEN COFFEE is gaining attention for combining Japan's unique aesthetic sense with coffee culture. With stores in Ginza and Nihonbashi, they offer world-class specialty coffee while cherishing the Japanese aesthetic.
With a space decorated with bonsai trees, beans that are carefully roasted and fresh, and pairings with Japanese sweets and rice balls, this modern take on Japanese coffee culture can truly be described as "the evolution of Japanese coffee culture."
summary
Coffee in Japan began with its introduction in the Edo period, and has since evolved through the coffee shops of the Meiji period, the pure coffee shop culture of the Taisho and Showa periods, and into modern specialty coffee, which is imbued with the delicate aesthetic sense and pursuit of technology that are uniquely Japanese.
And now, one of the symbols of this culture is BONGEN COFFEE . Combining tradition and innovation, it is broadcasting from Ginza to the world, embodying the future of Japanese coffee culture.
👉 BONGENCOFFEE | OFFICIAL SITE
https://ginza-bongen.jp/
