It's true that coffee culture overseas, especially in North America, is cool. But wait a minute. Hasn't Japan had a wonderful coffee shop culture for a long time? From being able to choose your beans to meticulous hand-dripping. In fact, other countries are imitating it. Even drippers, such as Hario and Origami, are made in Japan. Japan is amazing. But it's not doing a good job of promoting it.
Suzuki Kiyokazu thought that he had no choice but to take the initiative and make a global impact from Japan. So, after 12 years working for Paul Bassett since its launch in Japan, when he opened Glitch Coffee, he chose the theme of "spreading coffee culture from Japan to the world." The website logo is also designed in a Japanese style, with a G, C, and a coffee tree, in the style of a family crest.
Suzuki's starting point was to ask himself what his dream was, what he really wanted to do. His journey of self-discovery was long. He tried everything he could think of, including pottery, metalwork and glass art, and after thoroughly trying them all, he finally arrived at coffee. "That's why I'm consistent."
When you enter the shop, you'll see a row of about 15 types of beans, carefully selected from around the world and divided into categories. The staff act like a concierge, explaining the origins and characteristics of the beans, and the customer is guided to their choice. The barista then brews the perfect cup of coffee. The coffee is then poured into a carafe and served with a card summarizing the beans' description. The customer then pours the coffee to their liking.
The cups are custom-made and easy to hold and drink from. The furniture is antique. Jazz funk is on the menu. You can enjoy two cups at a leisurely pace in a relaxed atmosphere. Recently, there are more and more establishments influenced by this style. Since 2015, they have also hosted the "Coffee Collection" event, where roasters from cities around the world gather together with their top-quality beans.
"I want to continue to provide a cup of truly Japanese coffee without being bound by preconceived notions, and further boost this industry, which is attracting attention from around the world."
