Tokyo · Japan
Sarutahiko Coffee
Sarutahiko Coffee is one of 7 Tokyo roasters tracked on day9, in Tokyo.
Since 2011 · Tomoyuki Otsuka
Overview
Sarutahiko was founded in September 2011 in Ebisu, Tokyo by Tomoyuki Otsuka, a former actor who left the entertainment industry after finding that the most peaceful moments of his career were the cups of coffee he drank between auditions. The original shop on a small Ebisu side-street was under ten square metres; the name comes from the Japanese mythological deity Sarutahiko, prayed to at the start of new ventures, and the company's stated motto is 'just one cup of coffee will make you happy.'
Known for
- Ebisu Honten flagship cafe operating since 2011 on its original tiny corner
- 20+ Japanese locations with concept partnerships including BEAMS JAPAN Shinjuku, H.I.S. Travel Books and Coffee in Omotesando, Aqua Ignis Sendai, and Tiki Taka Ice Cream
- Atelier Sengawa roastery (opened January 2015) and the larger Chofu Roasting Hall
- 'Tokyo 'Til Infinity' signature espresso blend built on Ethiopia Tamiru Tadesse natural, Ethiopia Nigusse Gemeda natural and Colombia Narino washed
- Decaf processed via Swiss Water in Canada
Why it matters
Sarutahiko is one of the brands that demonstrated specialty coffee could scale across Japan without sacrificing the kissaten-era emphasis on hospitality and customer relationships. The deliberate choice to keep the under-ten-square-metre Ebisu Honten as the brand's anchor, even after expanding to over 20 locations and a major roasting hall in Chofu, has been a defining feature of how the company tells its story.
Production
- roastery location
- Atelier Sengawa, Tokyo (since January 2015); Chofu Roasting Hall (largest facility)
Café
1-6-6 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Ebisu Honten flagship); plus 20+ locations across Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Sendai and beyond