Japanese Kato Coffee Shop Opens in China

If you’ve ever wondered how Japan manages to produce some of the cleanest, most balanced specialty coffee in the world—without heavy roast flavors or over-roasted bitterness—you’re not alone. The answer lies partly in roasters like Kato Coffee, who have built a decades-long reputation for quality sourcing and careful processing.

Kato Coffee Shop, a nine-time winner of Rakuten’s Best Store Award in Japan, has officially launched in China through the Japan Pavilion on UnionPay Online Mall. This marks the brand’s first entry into the Chinese market, bringing its 23-year history of premium coffee beans directly to Chinese coffee drinkers.

Japan’s Longest-Running Online Coffee Retailer

Kato Coffee, based in Nagoya, Japan, has been operating for 23 years and is well known across Japanese media including TV, radio, and magazines. The shop sources high-grade green coffee beans through international auctions from countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, and Nicaragua. These beans are then carefully roasted in-house by owner Kato-san, resulting in coffee that has earned a loyal following across Japan. The brand claims that once customers try their coffee, they rarely return to supermarket blends.

A Trusted Name in Japanese E-Commerce

Kato Coffee has been ranked the #1 store in the food category on Rakuten, Japan’s largest e-commerce platform, for nine consecutive years. It's recognized for offering some of the highest-quality coffee available online in Japan. Now, through a partnership with UnionPay Online, the shop is making its debut in China via the Japan Pavilion on UnionPay Mall.

What Makes Japanese Coffee Different?

According to Wang Fei, Deputy General Manager of UnionPay Electronic Payments, Japanese coffee is often associated with a light, clean 'charcoal roasted' profile—not overly strong, but pure in flavor. This style reflects broader Japanese culinary preferences for subtle, well-balanced tastes. Kato Coffee embodies this approach by focusing on auction-grade beans and precise roasting techniques that highlight origin character without heaviness.

Special Launch Offer for Chinese Customers

To celebrate its arrival in China, Kato Coffee is offering a limited-time discount: 10% off all orders with free shipping through the UnionPay Online Mall Japan Pavilion. This gives Chinese coffee enthusiasts a chance to try authentic Japanese-selected beans without leaving home.

How to Order Kato Coffee in China

Kato Coffee originally offered international shipping directly from its Japanese website, which can still be accessed at http://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/gourmetcoffee/. However, the new UnionPay Mall channel provides a more streamlined shopping experience for Chinese customers, complete with localized service and official partnership backing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kato Coffee?

Kato Coffee is a Japanese coffee roaster based in Nagoya, known for sourcing high-quality beans from global auctions and roasting them in-house. It has been operating for 23 years and is highly rated on Japanese e-commerce site Rakuten.

Where can I buy Kato Coffee in China?

Kato Coffee is now available in China through the Japan Pavilion on UnionPay Online Mall. It is also possible to order directly from their Japanese website, though the UnionPay channel offers simplified purchasing and official support.

Does Kato Coffee offer international shipping?

Yes, Kato Coffee has historically offered international delivery from its Japan-based online store. With its new presence on UnionPay Mall, Chinese customers can now purchase more conveniently with local payment and delivery options.

What makes Japanese coffee different from other styles?

Japanese coffee, as described by UnionPay representatives, often features a lighter, cleaner roast profile sometimes referred to as 'charcoal roasted.' It emphasizes purity and balance over intensity, reflecting broader preferences for subtle flavors in Japanese cuisine.

Is there a discount for Kato Coffee in China?

Yes, Kato Coffee is offering a special launch promotion of 10% off all orders with free shipping for purchases made through the UnionPay Online Mall Japan Pavilion.

How long has Kato Coffee been in business?

Kato Coffee has been operating for 23 years, with its Nagoya-based shop winning the Rakuten Best Store Award nine years in a row for its coffee offerings.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Japanese-Style Roast

For fans of Kato Coffee’s clean, balanced Japanese-style roast profiles, try FrontStreet’s Brazil Queen Manor (Yellow Bourbon), which delivers notes of creamy peanut, chocolate, and sweet caramel after a medium roast. Also consider Strawberry Candy (a blend of Costa Rican honey and Panamanian Geisha), offering bright citrus, honey, and round sweetness ideal for pour-over or espresso. For something nuttier and gently sweet, the 2013 Sun-Dried Typica from Yunnan highlights almond, brown sugar, and dried apricot—all balanced through medium roast. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.