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Tokyo · Japan

Sarutahiko Coffee

Since 2011 · Tomoyuki Otsuka

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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

destoning
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head roaster
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color sorting
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roaster machine
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cupping frequency
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roastery location
Atelier Sengawa, Tokyo (since January 2015); Chofu Roasting Hall (largest facility)
espresso equipment
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annual volume tonnes
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Café

1-6-6 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Ebisu Honten flagship); plus 20+ locations across Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Sendai and beyond

Sources

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