How Coffee First Came to Japan and Took Root

Ever wondered how coffee—now a global staple—first landed in Japan, and why it took so long to catch on? The story isn’t about a single moment, but decades of gradual exposure, cultural resistance, and slow acceptance. From its first undocumented arrival to its role in Taisho-era literary life, Japan’s coffee journey is a fascinating tale of trade, taste, and transformation.

Coffee was first brought to Japan during the Genroku period (1688–1704) via Dejima island in Nagasaki, but it wasn’t until the Meiji era (starting 1868) that it began to gain real traction among the public. Widespread popularity emerged in the Taisho era (1912–1926) thanks to affordable cafés serving Brazilian coffee for just 5 sen per cup.

Early Encounters: Coffee Arrives on Dejima

Coffee first reached Japan in the mid-1600s, introduced through the Dutch trading post on Dejima island in Nagasaki. The Dutch East India Company established the post in 1641 under Japan’s strict sakoku (closed country) policy. While Dutch officials, translators, and courtesans had limited contact with foreigners, coffee remained an unfamiliar and unadopted novelty. Historical records suggest it was likely brought in by the Dutch around this time, but there’s no evidence of local consumption.

The earliest written mention comes from Engelbert Kaempfer, a German physician who visited Dejima in the late 1600s, though he didn’t detail Japanese reactions. Later, in 1776, the travelogue “Suiyūshi Kōsetsu” noted that only “two or three interpreters finally knew the taste of coffee,” describing it as a symbol of Western culture—but it still failed to gain traction.

First Tastes: Early Japanese Encounters with Coffee

The first recorded instance of a Japanese person tasting coffee comes from Ōta Nampo, a haikai poet, in his 1804 book “Keiō Rokudan” . He described being offered a drink called “coffee” on a Dutch ship. It was made from beans roasted black and ground into powder, mixed with sugar. He found the taste intensely bitter, burnt, and strange—an unfamiliar sensory experience far removed from Japanese beverages of the time.

This reaction highlights how Japanese tastes, shaped by tea culture and isolationist policies, were simply unprepared for the strong, roasted flavor of coffee. The drink remained marginal, confined to foreign enclaves and a tiny circle of interpreters.

Coffee’s Slow Rise: From Elitist Drink to Public Café

Coffee began to slowly spread among Japan’s elite intellectuals in the 19th century. In 1823, a Dutch official named Von Siebold noted during his visit to Dejima that Japanese people “enjoy drinking coffee” in social settings with the Dutch. Still, coffee stayed largely confined to diplomatic and scholarly circles.

True popularization began in the Meiji era (1868–1912), especially during the 1890s and early 1900s. Literary figures such as Kitahara Hakushu, Ishikawa Takuboku, Takamura Kōtarō, Satō Haruo, and Nagai Kafū gathered monthly at a Parisian-style café named “Kō-no-su” in Nihonbashi’s Kobunacho district. This café served authentic French cuisine, imported alcohol, and deep-roasted French-style coffee. It became a hub for cultural exchange and helped introduce coffee to literati and artists.

Parallel to these elite spaces, more affordable coffeehouses began appearing. By the height of the Taisho era (1912–1926), Japan had over twenty well-known coffee chains. What made them revolutionary was their pricing: while high-end Western restaurants charged 15 sen per cup, these cafés offered genuine Brazilian coffee for just 5 sen—about a third of the price. This democratization of access played a crucial role in popularizing coffee among the broader public.

War and Interruption: Coffee During World War II

Coffee’s growing popularity continued into the Showa era (1926–1989), but came to an abrupt halt during World War II. The Japanese government classified coffee as an “enemy beverage” due to its association with Western powers, leading to a complete halt in imports. For years, coffee disappeared from daily life in Japan, only to return afterward as a welcomed “symbol of peace.”

The Modern Market: Diversity and Demand

Today, Japan’s coffee market is highly competitive and diverse. Alongside traditional drip coffee and instant varieties, consumers can choose from canned coffee, office coffee, boutique café offerings, and premium specialty options. Since the Heisei era (1989–2019), there has been a marked rise in demand for more authentic, high-quality coffee experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did coffee first arrive in Japan?

Coffee first arrived in Japan during the Genroku period (1688–1704), introduced via the Dutch trading post on Dejima island in Nagasaki. The Dutch East India Company began operating there in 1641, but coffee remained an exotic novelty with negligible local consumption for over a century.

Why didn’t coffee catch on during the Edo period?

During Japan’s Edo period (1603–1868), strict sakoku (closed country) policies limited foreign contact and cultural exchange. Though Dutch traders brought coffee to Dejima, very few Japanese interacted with them, and the strong, roasted flavor was unfamiliar and unappealing to local tastes dominated by tea. The drink was seen as a symbol of Western culture but failed to gain widespread adoption.

When did coffee become popular in Japan?

Coffee began to gain real popularity in Japan during the Meiji era (1868–1912), particularly flourishing in the Taisho era (1912–1926). Affordable coffeehouses offering Brazilian coffee for just 5 sen per cup helped make it accessible to the masses. Literary cafés also played a key role in shaping coffee culture among intellectuals and artists.

What stopped coffee consumption in Japan during the 20th century?

During World War II, the Japanese government classified coffee as an “enemy beverage” due to its Western associations. Imports ceased entirely, and coffee disappeared from daily life for the duration of the war. It only regained popularity afterward as a symbol of peace and modernity.

What types of coffee are common in Japan today?

Modern Japan offers a wide range of coffee options, including traditional drip brews, instant coffee, canned coffee, office coffee services, boutique café offerings, and premium specialty coffee. Since the Heisei era, there has been increasing interest in high-quality, authentic coffee experiences.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Japanese-Style Coffee

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for its bright floral and citrus notes, or the Brazil Queen Manor for a nutty, chocolatey base perfect for exploring how Japanese palates developed a taste for subtle, well-balanced coffees. For a deeper roast, the Classic Blend delivers the kind of smooth, low-acidity profile akin to the French-style roasts once served in Taisho-era coffeehouses. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.