{
  "dataset": {
    "name": "Japanese Coffee Origins & Roasters Dataset",
    "version": "1.0",
    "compiled_date": "2026-06-08",
    "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
    "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
    "publisher": "japanesecoffeegear.com",
    "publisher_url": "https://japanesecoffeegear.com",
    "contact": "research@japanesecoffeegear.com",
    "citation": "Japanese Coffee Origins & Roasters Dataset v1.0, japanesecoffeegear.com, June 2026. CC-BY-4.0.",
    "next_refresh": "2026-11"
  },
  "farms": [
    {
      "id": "matayoshi",
      "slug": "matayoshi",
      "name": "Matayoshi Coffee Farm",
      "name_ja": "又吉コーヒー園",
      "owner": "Takuyuki Matayoshi",
      "prefecture": "Okinawa",
      "town": "Higashi-son / Yanbaru region (northern Okinawa main island)",
      "altitude_m": "150-300 (regional typical, exact unverified)",
      "cultivars": [
        "Yellow Bourbon",
        "Red Bourbon"
      ],
      "harvest_months": "October to April",
      "processing_methods": [
        "Natural",
        "Honey"
      ],
      "tasting_notes": "Mild acidity, floral, low bitterness (regional profile)",
      "year_established": null,
      "year_notes": "Multi-decade operation; exact founding year unverified",
      "certifications": [],
      "website": "https://matayoshicoffee.jp",
      "offers_tours": true,
      "source_citations": [
        "https://perfectdailygrind.com/2022/11/coffee-production-in-okinawa/",
        "https://www.stripes.com/living/pacific_travel/quick_trips/2025-07-31/matayoshi-coffee-farm-okinawa-japan-18581185.html",
        "https://www.japan.travel/en/sports/adventure/activities/coffee-tasting-in-matayoshi-coffee-farm/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "ada-farm",
      "slug": "ada-farm",
      "name": "ADA Farm",
      "name_ja": "アダファーム",
      "owner": "Yasujiro and Yuko Tokuda",
      "prefecture": "Okinawa",
      "town": "Kunigami-son (Ada village), Yanbaru region",
      "altitude_m": null,
      "cultivars": [
        "Multiple varieties (unspecified)"
      ],
      "harvest_months": null,
      "processing_methods": [
        "AKATITI (proprietary sugarcane-pulper method)",
        "No. 3 (whole-fruit fermentation dry)",
        "Experimental natural infused"
      ],
      "tasting_notes": "No. 3: 'Delicate and clear flavor, like fine broth' developing into 'rich, creamy and colorful flavor of tropical fruits like banana and lychee'",
      "year_established": 2008,
      "certifications": [
        "Japan's first certified specialty coffee farm",
        "Organic certified",
        "Q Grade"
      ],
      "website": "https://papayumyum.com",
      "farm_size": "800 coffee trees",
      "annual_yield_kg": "30-60",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://digthetea.com/en/2024/03/ada-farm/",
        "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/02/20/food-drink/coffee-farms-okinawa/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "burikina",
      "slug": "burikina",
      "name": "Burikina",
      "owner": "Tadaaki Miyagi",
      "prefecture": "Okinawa",
      "town": "Nago (Motobu Peninsula)",
      "altitude_m": "150-500 (regional)",
      "cultivars": [
        "Arabica (specific cultivar unverified)"
      ],
      "harvest_months": "October to April (regional)",
      "processing_methods": [],
      "tasting_notes": null,
      "year_established": null,
      "certifications": [
        "Q Grade (Coffee Quality Institute)",
        "Organic"
      ],
      "farm_size": "~300 coffee trees",
      "notable": "Smallest farm in the world to receive Q Grade certification (intercropped with shikuwasa citrus, banana, dracaena)",
      "website": null,
      "source_citations": [
        "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/02/20/food-drink/coffee-farms-okinawa/",
        "https://www.alojapan.com/1455484/bean-by-bean-coffee-cultivation-in-okinawa-defies-the-odds/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "shirase",
      "slug": "shirase",
      "name": "Shirase Coffee Farm",
      "prefecture": "Okinawa",
      "town": "Kumejima (island)",
      "altitude_m": "150-500 (regional, exact unverified)",
      "cultivars": [
        "Arabica (specific cultivar unverified)"
      ],
      "harvest_months": "October to April (regional)",
      "processing_methods": [],
      "tasting_notes": null,
      "year_established": null,
      "certifications": [
        "Q Grade (2022, per regional reporting)"
      ],
      "website": null,
      "source_citations": [
        "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/02/20/food-drink/coffee-farms-okinawa/",
        "https://www.alojapan.com/1455484/bean-by-bean-coffee-cultivation-in-okinawa-defies-the-odds/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "nakayama",
      "slug": "nakayama",
      "name": "Nakayama Coffee Farm",
      "name_ja": "中山コーヒーファーム",
      "owner": "Tatsumi Kishimoto and family",
      "prefecture": "Okinawa",
      "town": "Nago / Motobu area (Route 84, near Churaumi Aquarium)",
      "altitude_m": 150,
      "cultivars": [
        "Typica",
        "Mundo Novo",
        "Yellow Bourbon",
        "approximately 13 varieties in trial"
      ],
      "harvest_months": "October to April (regional)",
      "processing_methods": [
        "Natural"
      ],
      "tasting_notes": "Dried fruit, earthy, nuts; bright acidity and fruity, juicy tones; subtle earthy hints and notes of spices",
      "year_established": 2015,
      "year_notes": "Current operators (Kishimoto family) took over in 2015",
      "certifications": [],
      "farm_size": "~23,000 m2; ~1.2 tons annual yield",
      "website": null,
      "tours": "Coffee plantation observation tour + roasting experience available via OTS",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://seaislandcoffee.com/products/japan-okinawa-nakayama",
        "https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1023465-d27157588-Reviews-Nakayama_Coffee_Farm-Nago_Okinawa_Prefecture_Kyushu.html",
        "https://www.otsinternational.jp/otsoption/en/eat/Other/933/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "hiro-coffee-farm",
      "slug": "hiro-coffee-farm",
      "name": "Hiro Coffee Farm",
      "name_ja": "ヒロ・コーヒーファーム",
      "prefecture": "Okinawa",
      "town": "Takae, Higashi-son, Kunigami District (Yanbaru mountains)",
      "altitude_m": "low (regional 150-500)",
      "cultivars": [
        "Arabica"
      ],
      "harvest_months": "October to April (regional)",
      "processing_methods": [
        "Pulped natural"
      ],
      "tasting_notes": null,
      "year_established": 1993,
      "year_notes": "Approximate (reported as ~20 years old in a 2013 article)",
      "certifications": [],
      "website": null,
      "source_citations": [
        "https://www.oki-islandguide.com/food_and_drink/hiro-coffee-farm",
        "https://gigazine.net/gsc_news/en/20140721-hiro-coffee-farm/",
        "https://okinawahai.com/hiro-coffee-far/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "yamaichi",
      "slug": "yamaichi",
      "name": "Yamaichi Farm",
      "prefecture": "Okinawa",
      "town": "Nago",
      "altitude_m": null,
      "cultivars": [
        "Typica"
      ],
      "harvest_months": "October to April (regional)",
      "processing_methods": [
        "Washed"
      ],
      "tasting_notes": null,
      "year_established": null,
      "certifications": [],
      "website": null,
      "source_citations": [
        "https://sprudge.com/the-sprudge-guide-to-coffee-in-okinawa-japan-338633.html"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "okinawa-coffee-project",
      "slug": "okinawa-coffee-project",
      "name": "Okinawa Coffee Project (Nestle Japan + Okinawa SV)",
      "owner": "Naohiro Takahara (former pro footballer) + Nestle Japan + Okinawa SV",
      "prefecture": "Okinawa",
      "town": "Nago (initial), 11 sites across mainland + Ishigaki + Miyako; expansion to Uruma City (TSUGUMI FARM)",
      "altitude_m": null,
      "cultivars": [
        "Selected with Okinawan agricultural institutes"
      ],
      "harvest_months": null,
      "processing_methods": [],
      "tasting_notes": null,
      "year_established": 2019,
      "certifications": [],
      "farm_size": "6,500+ coffee trees planted as of 2022",
      "first_harvest": "Winter 2022 - Spring 2023",
      "website": null,
      "source_citations": [
        "https://japanesecoffeeco.com/blogs/japanese-coffee-blog/coffee-from-okinawa-dream-of-naohiro-takahara-soccer-legend"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "tokunoshima-coffee-project",
      "slug": "tokunoshima-coffee-project",
      "name": "Tokunoshima Coffee Project",
      "name_ja": "徳之島コーヒー生産者会",
      "owner": "Seiichi Yoshitama (President, Tokunoshima Coffee Producer Association)",
      "prefecture": "Kagoshima",
      "town": "Isen Town, Tokunoshima Island (Amami archipelago)",
      "latitude": "25°50' N",
      "altitude_m": null,
      "cultivars": [
        "8 varieties grown on Yoshitama's farm"
      ],
      "harvest_months": null,
      "processing_methods": [
        "Flesh removal + parchment drying in dedicated facility"
      ],
      "tasting_notes": null,
      "year_established": 1982,
      "year_notes": "Yoshitama began cultivation c.1982; Tokunoshima Coffee Production Support Project launched 2017 with AGF, Marubeni, and Isen Town",
      "certifications": [],
      "farm_size": "350 coffee trees (Yoshitama farm); ~20,000 seedlings across project; ~30 farmers",
      "current_yield_target_tons": 1,
      "related_business": "Coffee Smile cafe (Yoshitama family)",
      "website": null,
      "source_citations": [
        "https://www.gltjp.com/en/article/item/20153/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "nose-farmgarden",
      "slug": "nose-farmgarden",
      "name": "Nose FarmGarden",
      "owner": "Motomi Nose (5th generation)",
      "prefecture": "Tokyo",
      "town": "Chichi-jima, Ogasawara Islands (Bonin Islands)",
      "altitude_m": null,
      "cultivars": [],
      "harvest_months": null,
      "processing_methods": [],
      "tasting_notes": null,
      "year_established": "Late 1800s / early 1900s",
      "year_notes": "Operating 100+ years; coffee cultivation began on Ogasawara c.1876",
      "certifications": [],
      "annual_yield_kg": 200,
      "website": null,
      "source_citations": [
        "https://japantoday.com/category/features/food/believe-it-or-not-tokyo-grows-coffee-and-here%E2%80%99s-where-you-can-try-a-cup",
        "https://world-natural-heritage.jp/en/article/ogasawara-food/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "usk-coffee",
      "slug": "usk-coffee",
      "name": "USK Coffee",
      "owner": "Yusuke (and wife)",
      "prefecture": "Tokyo",
      "town": "Chichi-jima, Ogasawara Islands",
      "altitude_m": null,
      "cultivars": [],
      "harvest_months": null,
      "processing_methods": [
        "Hand roasting (300g batches)",
        "Hand grinding",
        "Slow drip"
      ],
      "tasting_notes": null,
      "year_established": null,
      "certifications": [],
      "website": "https://uskcoffee.com",
      "notable": "Airstream caravan cafe on coffee plantation property",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://slowist.org/2019/04/06/slow-slow-coffee-on-ogasawara/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "japonic-aso",
      "slug": "japonic-aso",
      "name": "Japonic Coffee Farm Aso",
      "name_ja": "ジャポニックコーヒーファーム阿蘇",
      "owner": "Mr. Sato (company rep); cultivation by Augusto Baltazari + Akinori Kimura (natural farming advisor)",
      "prefecture": "Kumamoto",
      "town": "Minami-Aso Village, Aso caldera",
      "altitude_m": 500,
      "cultivars": [
        "Sourced 40 organic seedlings from Ueno Farm (Aso) + 40 from Ei Farm (Amami Island); 3-4 years old at planting"
      ],
      "harvest_months": null,
      "processing_methods": [
        "Natural cultivation (no pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides)"
      ],
      "tasting_notes": "Target profile: rich sweetness, acidity, mellow aroma; creaminess; mild sweetness",
      "year_established": 2022,
      "year_notes": "Company established May 26, 2022; farm operations May 2022; website launched June 10, 2022",
      "certifications": [],
      "website": "https://japonic-coffee.com",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://japonic-coffee.com/en/",
        "https://coffeegeography.com/2026/04/19/from-hokkaido-to-yamagata-japans-ambitious-plan-to-grow-coffee-outside-the-tropical-belt/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "bankoku-coffee",
      "slug": "bankoku-coffee",
      "name": "Bankoku Coffee (Yamagata)",
      "owner": "Hiroyuki Akatsuka (manager, age 55 as of 2026)",
      "prefecture": "Yamagata",
      "town": "Yamagata (~400 km north of Tokyo)",
      "altitude_m": null,
      "cultivars": [],
      "harvest_months": null,
      "processing_methods": [
        "Greenhouse + winter temperature control"
      ],
      "tasting_notes": "First harvest (2024) described as 'smooth mouthfeel and well-balanced tangy orange-like acidity'",
      "year_established": 2020,
      "year_notes": "Initial 150 trees; 50% mortality; first harvest 2024",
      "certifications": [],
      "website": null,
      "source_citations": [
        "https://coffeegeography.com/2026/04/19/from-hokkaido-to-yamagata-japans-ambitious-plan-to-grow-coffee-outside-the-tropical-belt/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "yuumu-hokkaido",
      "slug": "yuumu-hokkaido",
      "name": "Yuumu Farm (Hokkaido geothermal trial)",
      "owner": "Masatoshi Yuasa (47); research collaboration with Hokusei Gakuen University + Rakuno Gakuen University",
      "prefecture": "Hokkaido",
      "town": "Shintoku town",
      "altitude_m": null,
      "cultivars": [],
      "harvest_months": null,
      "processing_methods": [
        "Biogas-heat greenhouse"
      ],
      "tasting_notes": null,
      "year_established": "~2023",
      "year_notes": "Three-year research study ended March 2026; seedlings grew to 1m",
      "certifications": [],
      "website": null,
      "source_citations": [
        "https://coffeegeography.com/2026/04/19/from-hokkaido-to-yamagata-japans-ambitious-plan-to-grow-coffee-outside-the-tropical-belt/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "hirono-fukushima",
      "slug": "hirono-fukushima",
      "name": "Hirono Town Promotion Corporation (Fukushima trial)",
      "owner": "Hirofumi Nakatsu (representative, 68)",
      "prefecture": "Fukushima",
      "town": "Hirono Town",
      "altitude_m": null,
      "cultivars": [],
      "harvest_months": null,
      "processing_methods": [],
      "tasting_notes": null,
      "year_established": 2020,
      "year_notes": "Experimental cultivation as post-earthquake recovery project; ongoing irrigation adjustments",
      "certifications": [],
      "website": null,
      "source_citations": [
        "https://coffeegeography.com/2026/04/19/from-hokkaido-to-yamagata-japans-ambitious-plan-to-grow-coffee-outside-the-tropical-belt/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "yamako-okayama",
      "slug": "yamako-okayama",
      "name": "Yamako Farm (Okayama seedling supplier)",
      "owner": "Kosuke Yamamoto (66)",
      "prefecture": "Okayama",
      "town": "Okayama",
      "altitude_m": null,
      "cultivars": [
        "Seedling propagation"
      ],
      "harvest_months": null,
      "processing_methods": [],
      "tasting_notes": null,
      "year_established": "~2020 (active in seedling distribution)",
      "certifications": [],
      "notable": "Primary seedling + technical-expertise supplier to Hokkaido and Tohoku coffee trials",
      "website": null,
      "source_citations": [
        "https://coffeegeography.com/2026/04/19/from-hokkaido-to-yamagata-japans-ambitious-plan-to-grow-coffee-outside-the-tropical-belt/"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "roasters": [
    {
      "id": "maruyama-coffee",
      "slug": "maruyama-coffee",
      "name": "Maruyama Coffee",
      "name_ja": "丸山珈琲",
      "headquarters_city": "Karuizawa, Nagano",
      "founded": 1991,
      "founder": "Kentaro Maruyama",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Direct-trade single origins",
        "Panama Geisha",
        "Multiple barista-championship lots"
      ],
      "website": "https://maruyamacoffee.com",
      "notable": "Widely considered the founder of Japan's specialty coffee movement; multiple JBC (Japan Barista Championship) winners",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://official.maruyamacoffee.com/en/company/",
        "https://sprudge.com/a-brief-history-of-japans-remarkable-maruyama-coffee-79426.html"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "horiguchi-coffee",
      "slug": "horiguchi-coffee",
      "name": "Horiguchi Coffee",
      "name_ja": "堀口珈琲",
      "headquarters_city": "Setagaya, Tokyo",
      "founded": 1990,
      "founder": "Toshihide Horiguchi",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Blend-focused",
        "Central American single origins",
        "Ethiopia"
      ],
      "website": "https://www.kohikobo.co.jp",
      "notable": "Pioneer specialty roaster; green-bean dealer",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://www.kohikobo.co.jp/en/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "fuglen-tokyo",
      "slug": "fuglen-tokyo",
      "name": "Fuglen Coffee Roasters Tokyo",
      "headquarters_city": "Shibuya (Tomigaya), Tokyo",
      "founded": 2012,
      "founder": "Einar Holthe, Halvor Skiftun Digernes (Oslo); Kenji Kojima (Tokyo)",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Nordic light roasts",
        "Ethiopia",
        "Kenya",
        "Colombia"
      ],
      "website": "https://fuglencoffee.jp",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://fuglen.no/About",
        "https://fuglencoffee.jp/en/pages/story"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "onibus-coffee",
      "slug": "onibus-coffee",
      "name": "Onibus Coffee",
      "headquarters_city": "Nakameguro, Tokyo",
      "founded": 2012,
      "founder": "Atsushi Sakao",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Ethiopia",
        "Kenya",
        "Colombia",
        "Brazil",
        "Direct relationships"
      ],
      "website": "https://onibuscoffee.com",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://www.thewaytocoffee.com/roasters/onibus-coffee/",
        "https://sustainabilitypage.com/onibus"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "glitch-coffee",
      "slug": "glitch-coffee",
      "name": "Glitch Coffee & Roasters",
      "headquarters_city": "Jimbocho, Tokyo",
      "founded": 2015,
      "founder": "Kiyokazu Suzuki",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Light-roast single origins",
        "Geisha",
        "Ethiopia",
        "Experimental processed lots"
      ],
      "website": "https://shop.glitchcoffee.com",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://typica.coffee/en/narratives/roasters/glitch-coffee-roasters/",
        "https://dailycoffeenews.com/2015/07/27/shared-roasting-and-forward-thinking-at-tokyos-glitch-coffee-roasters/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "percent-arabica",
      "slug": "percent-arabica",
      "name": "% Arabica",
      "headquarters_city": "Kyoto (Higashiyama flagship)",
      "founded": 2014,
      "founder": "Kenneth Shoji",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Hawaii Kona (Shoji-owned farm)",
        "Ethiopia",
        "Colombia",
        "Espresso-focused blends"
      ],
      "website": "https://arabica.coffee",
      "notable": "237+ international locations as of 2025",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%_Arabica",
        "https://arabica.com/en/location/arabica-kyoto-higashiyama/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "koffee-mameya",
      "slug": "koffee-mameya",
      "name": "Koffee Mameya",
      "headquarters_city": "Omotesando, Tokyo",
      "founded": 2017,
      "founder": "Eiichi Kunitomo",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Multi-roaster: curates beans from leading roasters globally",
        "Kakeru concept = brewed bar"
      ],
      "website": "https://www.koffee-mameya.com",
      "notable": "Evolved from Omotesando Koffee (2011-2015); Kakeru opened 2021",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://aletheuein.com/the-story-of-eiichi-kunitomo-and-koffee-mameyas-global-coffee-revolution/",
        "https://beeancoffee.com/city-guides/specialty-coffee-guide-to-tokyo/koffee-mameya/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "sarutahiko-coffee",
      "slug": "sarutahiko-coffee",
      "name": "Sarutahiko Coffee",
      "name_ja": "猿田彦珈琲",
      "headquarters_city": "Ebisu, Tokyo",
      "founded": 2011,
      "founder": "Otoharu Otsuka",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Direct-trade Central America",
        "Ethiopia",
        "Broad commercial accessibility"
      ],
      "website": "https://sarutahiko.co",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://sarutahiko.co/en/",
        "https://en.sarutahiko.jp/pages/about"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "switch-coffee",
      "slug": "switch-coffee",
      "name": "Switch Coffee Tokyo",
      "headquarters_city": "Meguro, Tokyo",
      "founded": 2013,
      "founder": "Masahiro Onishi",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Honduras",
        "Kenya",
        "Ethiopia"
      ],
      "website": "https://www.switchcoffeetokyo.com",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://tokyocoffee.org/2015/10/01/switch-coffee/",
        "https://sprudge.com/turning-on-the-lights-at-switch-coffee-in-meguro-tokyo-65457.html"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "light-up-coffee",
      "slug": "light-up-coffee",
      "name": "Light Up Coffee",
      "headquarters_city": "Kichijoji, Tokyo",
      "founded": 2014,
      "founder": "Yuma Kawano, Tamito Aihara",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Light-roast single origins",
        "Asia origins (Myanmar, Indonesia)",
        "Africa"
      ],
      "website": "https://lightupcoffee.com",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://lightupcoffee.com/en/pages/about-us",
        "https://www.thewaytocoffee.com/roasters/light-up-coffee/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "single-o-japan",
      "slug": "single-o-japan",
      "name": "Single O Japan",
      "headquarters_city": "Ryogoku, Tokyo (Roastworks)",
      "founded": 2014,
      "founder": "Yu Yamamoto (Single O Australia est. 2003 in Sydney)",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Direct trade",
        "PNG",
        "Ethiopia",
        "Colombia",
        "Indonesia"
      ],
      "website": "https://singleo.jp",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://singleo.com.au/pages/single-o-japan",
        "https://kurasu.kyoto/blogs/kurasu-journal/kurasu-roaster-stories-single-o-japan-tokyo"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "little-darling",
      "slug": "little-darling",
      "name": "Little Darling Coffee Roasters",
      "headquarters_city": "Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo",
      "founded": 2018,
      "signature_origins": [
        "Direct trade",
        "Central + South America",
        "Espresso blends"
      ],
      "website": "https://littledarlingcoffeeroasters.com",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://www.yelp.com/biz/little-darling-coffee-roasters-%E6%B8%AF%E5%8C%BA-2",
        "https://metropolisjapan.com/little-darling-coffee-roasters/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "post-coffee",
      "slug": "post-coffee",
      "name": "Post Coffee",
      "headquarters_city": "Shibuya, Tokyo",
      "founded": 2018,
      "founder": "Akihiro Shimoda",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Subscription multi-roaster",
        "Personalization"
      ],
      "website": "https://postcoffee.co",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://coffee-guide.jp/en/beans/specialty-coffee-roaster-guide-japan"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "wataru-coffee",
      "slug": "wataru-coffee",
      "name": "Wataru Coffee",
      "headquarters_city": "Meguro, Tokyo",
      "founded": 1955,
      "founder": "Wataru Co., Ltd. (green coffee trading house)",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Long-term farm relationships across origins",
        "Brazil",
        "Ethiopia",
        "Costa Rica"
      ],
      "website": "https://wataru.co.jp",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://wataru.co.jp/en/company/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "trunk-coffee",
      "slug": "trunk-coffee",
      "name": "Trunk Coffee",
      "headquarters_city": "Nagoya, Aichi",
      "founded": 2014,
      "founder": "Yasuo Suzuki, Kiyohito Tanaka",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Nordic-style light roasts",
        "Coffee beer"
      ],
      "website": "https://international.trunkcoffee.com",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://international.trunkcoffee.com/pages/about",
        "https://kurasu.kyoto/blogs/kurasu-journal/trunk-coffee-roasters-nagoya-january-2018s-kurasucoffee-roaster"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "weekenders-coffee",
      "slug": "weekenders-coffee",
      "name": "Weekenders Coffee",
      "headquarters_city": "Kyoto (Sakyo / Tominokoji)",
      "founded": 2005,
      "founded_notes": "Started as cafe 2005, focused on roasting from 2011",
      "founder": "Masahiro Kaneko",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Light-to-medium washed origins",
        "Ethiopia",
        "Central America"
      ],
      "website": "https://www.weekenderscoffee.com",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://www.thewaytocoffee.com/roasters/weekenders-coffee/",
        "https://thecoffeevine.com/blog/weekenders-coffee-kyotos-holy-shrine-of-specialty-coffee/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "kurasu",
      "slug": "kurasu",
      "name": "Kurasu",
      "headquarters_city": "Kyoto (Nishijin Roastery)",
      "founded": 2013,
      "founded_notes": "Brand founded 2013; Kurasu Kyoto cafe opened Aug 2016",
      "founder": "Yozo Otsuki",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Medium roasts",
        "Partner Roaster subscription with Japanese micro-roasters",
        "Ethiopia",
        "Kenya"
      ],
      "website": "https://kurasu.kyoto",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://typica.coffee/en/narratives/roasters/kurasu/",
        "https://fltrmagazine.com/2025/05/23/kurasu-dubai-yozo-interview/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "akito-coffee",
      "slug": "akito-coffee",
      "name": "Akito Coffee",
      "headquarters_city": "Kofu, Yamanashi",
      "founded": 2014,
      "founder": "Akito Tanzawa",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Light roasts",
        "Rotating single origins"
      ],
      "website": "https://akitocoffee.com",
      "notable": "Flagship renewed as 'Tane' roastery + cafe in March 2025",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://typica.coffee/en/narratives/roasters/akito-coffee/",
        "https://kurasu.kyoto/blogs/kurasu-journal/akito-coffeeyamanashi-2025-august-kurasupartnerroaster"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "lilo-coffee",
      "slug": "lilo-coffee",
      "name": "LiLo Coffee Roasters",
      "headquarters_city": "Osaka (Amerikamura, Shinsaibashi)",
      "founded": 2014,
      "head_roaster": "Keita Nakamura",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Broad single-origin range",
        "Ethiopia",
        "Kenya",
        "Central America"
      ],
      "website": "https://coffee.liloinveve.com",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://typica.coffee/en/narratives/roasters/lilo-coffee-roasters/",
        "https://www.thewaytocoffee.com/roasters/lilo-coffee-roasters/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "mel-coffee",
      "slug": "mel-coffee",
      "name": "Mel Coffee Roasters",
      "headquarters_city": "Osaka",
      "founded": 2016,
      "founder": "Masahiko Fumimoto",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Direct-trade single origins",
        "Ethiopia",
        "Colombia"
      ],
      "website": "https://mel.coffee",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://mel.coffee/",
        "https://kurasu.kyoto/blogs/kurasu-journal/november-2016-featured-roaster-mel-coffee-roasters-osaka"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "coffee-county",
      "slug": "coffee-county",
      "name": "Coffee County",
      "headquarters_city": "Fukuoka (Yakuin / Kurume original roastery)",
      "founded": 2013,
      "founded_notes": "Roastery in Kurume opened November 2013",
      "founder": "Yuya Mori",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Central America focus",
        "El Salvador",
        "Guatemala",
        "Ethiopia"
      ],
      "website": "https://coffeecounty.cc",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://danielfooddiary.com/2026/01/08/coffeecountyfukuoka/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "mamepolepole",
      "slug": "mamepolepole",
      "name": "Mamepolepole",
      "headquarters_city": "Okinawa City, Okinawa",
      "founded": 2010,
      "founder": "Yoshiyuki Nakamura",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Single origins",
        "Africa",
        "Espresso"
      ],
      "website": "https://mamepolepole.com",
      "notable": "Japan Coffee Roasting Championship 2017, 2022; World Coffee Roasting Championship 2nd place 2018",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://sprudge.com/the-sprudge-guide-to-coffee-in-okinawa-japan-338633.html"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "coffee-potohoto",
      "slug": "coffee-potohoto",
      "name": "Coffee Potohoto",
      "headquarters_city": "Naha, Okinawa",
      "founded": 2006,
      "founder": "Tetsuji Yamada",
      "signature_origins": [
        "~30% direct trade",
        "Okinawan farms incl. ADA Farm"
      ],
      "website": "https://potohoto.jp",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://sprudge.com/the-sprudge-guide-to-coffee-in-okinawa-japan-338633.html"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "zhyvago-coffee",
      "slug": "zhyvago-coffee",
      "name": "Zhyvago Coffee Roastery",
      "headquarters_city": "Chatan (American Village), Okinawa",
      "founded": 2020,
      "founder": "Kentaro",
      "signature_origins": [
        "San Francisco-influenced",
        "Espresso-led"
      ],
      "website": "https://zhyvagocoffeeroastery.coffee",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://sprudge.com/the-sprudge-guide-to-coffee-in-okinawa-japan-338633.html"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "bear-pond",
      "slug": "bear-pond",
      "name": "Bear Pond Espresso",
      "headquarters_city": "Shimokitazawa, Tokyo",
      "founded": 2009,
      "founder": "Katsuyuki Tanaka",
      "signature_origins": [
        "Espresso-focused",
        "In-house blend ('Angel Stain' shot)"
      ],
      "website": "https://www.bear-pond.com",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://japanwiselife.com/learn-japan/japan-coffee-culture-guide-residents/"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "supporting_organizations": [
    {
      "name": "Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ)",
      "founded": 2003,
      "headquarters": "Tokyo",
      "website": "https://scaj.org",
      "role": "Industry trade body; runs annual SCAJ World Specialty Coffee Conference and Exhibition",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://scaj.org/about-en/overview",
        "https://scajconference.jp/en/about"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Okinawa Coffee Association",
      "founded": 2014,
      "headquarters": "University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa",
      "role": "Research, seminars, workshops, technical support",
      "source_citations": [
        "https://perfectdailygrind.com/2022/11/coffee-production-in-okinawa/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Tokunoshima Coffee Producer Association",
      "founded": 2017,
      "headquarters": "Isen Town, Tokunoshima, Kagoshima",
      "partners": [
        "AGF (Ajinomoto General Foods)",
        "Marubeni",
        "Isen Town Office"
      ],
      "source_citations": [
        "https://www.gltjp.com/en/article/item/20153/"
      ]
    }
  ]
}