Blue Bottle Coffee

I was slightly worried when I had read preliminary reports that Blue Bottle was hyped beyond Unilocal effect status in Japan, when back home in San Francisco/​Oakland, I have never once had to stand in line for a cup of Blue Bottle coffee because I’m not one of those idiots that try to grab coffee at the Ferry Building during peak business hours (pro-​tip: avoid the Mint Plaza/​Ferry Building locations during NOON-​2PM)
Perhaps it’s a good thing that I ended up visiting Blue Bottle Kiyosumi when I did because the hype had certainly died down to a more manageable level when I got around to visiting it twice, and quite honestly Blue Bottle just seems to be Blue Bottle no matter where they go; great roasting, impeccable technique, and nifty hipster-​oriented merchandise.
I read somewhere that the Kiyosumi location was designed with the original Oakland roasting warehouse/​location in mind, but it feels more like a virtuoso portmanteau of the W.C. Morse Building and the Heath Ceramics location, sans all the cool high-​end ceramic coffee mugs and the espresso repair shop. One thing that the Japanese Blue Bottle locations seem to do differently than the ones back at home (unless something has changed since the year I haven’t been back home) is that they have opted for the Starbucks style of taking customers’ names down with the order, without the intentional jackassery/​douchebaggery of misspelling/​mispronouncing peoples names.
Back to the actual coffee and pastries of the review, like most other Blue Bottle Coffee locations, Kiyosumi seems to have BBC’s signature blends (Bella Donovan, Three Africans) on hand, with a rotating selection of single origins. Kiyosumi doesn’t seem to have a siphon bar, or offer a Nel drip option, but I thought their pour-​over station was pretty clever (now I want one of those tall HARIO glass servers.) Like all other BBC locations Kiyosumi also seems to have their artisanal pastry on deck, which I’ll probably try some day when I’m not counting my macros.
All in all a welcome taste of home in a faraway land.

I love this place. We travelled pretty far to get to blue bottle as once I knew there was one in Tokyo I was very keen to give it a try based on its good reputation in the states.
It’s everything you think a top end hippster coffee café/​roaster should be. It’s in an industrial area which is not trendy now, but will be soon. It has hessian Sacks, filter cones, flashy espresso machines and Scandinavia furniture everywhere.
The coffee you ask? Well it was great. I had a refreshing New Orleans cold brew and an indulgent think milk chocolate cookie. Both were great. I would have them again right now if I could. I bought a bag of beans to take home to!
Really enjoyed my first blue bottle experience. I will be looking out for them again on future (hopefully) travels.

The most hipster place I have ever been to! So set up in an residential area not to far from. Metro station stands Blue Bottle coffee shop. Set up in a massive old warehouse it hits you right in the face as soon as you turn the corner.
On the out side wooden table made out of pallets and wooden seats. Huge open space. On one side you have a small seated area and on the other you have the coffee experts. Headed straight up the back to the order point to be served by a bearded American who was exceptionally helpful and friendly. I ordered an espresso and a sweet potato cake. To the left of the counter there was the drip method going on ¾ members of staff taking care of the orders and they will shout your name once it’s ready. A little like a production line which fits so well for this place. Behind the counter you could see the roasting going on and the work that goes in to the coffee process.
My espresso was lovely and creamy… The was it should be as for my sweet potato cake, sweet and fluffy. 5 stars all around for this place. The one thing that got me was on the side of the building next to the blue bottle coffee logo there was the Vitra. Logo, maybe this had connection to the design of the place.
When in Tokyo coffee fans hunt this place out.

Guess it was a good call to come here in the late afternoon, as there was no long queue nor a lot of wait. Although it would be difficult to find a seat, but eventually someone will finish their coffee and you can enjoy yours at their big, long tables.
Coffee ranges from 450 – 600 JPY. Blend drip coffee was amazing! Needless to say, if you’re into coffee, this is a place to stop by at if you are in the Hirano area!

Went there on March 11, 2015 around 11AM.
Stood outside (their own parking lot?) and lined up for like 30 minutes and went inside for more lineups for coffee. Have not in fact tried their shop in California but the coffee was nice and smooth and strong.

It’s not all hype. Their coffee tastes smooth, did not taste high in acidity, it was quite delicious! It’s funny how I’ve avoided trying their coffee back home in L.A. yet Japan was the first place for me to try this American brand and now could say am a fan.
Also loved their buttery waffle topped with brown sugar, goes so well with their coffee. I personally ordered the Gibraltar, uncertain how it’s made, believe it’s just espresso and milk but it was perfect black on its own without the unnecessary sweeteners.

I’ll preface this by saying that I’m a California girl, through and through. I learned about Blue Bottle Coffee a few years back when I visited San Francisco. Back then, I didn’t drink my coffee black, so I was a bit indifferent to it. However, since moving to Japan, I’ll usually only have it black.
I went on opening weekend, and yes, I was one of those crazy people who waited 1.5 hours for a cup of joe. However, it was so worth it! (I mean really, it’s like waiting in a line at Disneyland, amirite?)
Unlike a lot of other coffee shops, the staff here was super chill and laid back. I ended up ordering a latte (for the picture, of course. ;), the Three Africans coffee, and a legion waffle. The coffee was great, the waffle possibly even better. I brewed the coffee at home, and it was delicious. Nothing beats freshly roasted coffee beans. Not like some places that burn their coffee beans.
The neighborhood is very relaxed, and I can see that Blue Bottle will be a hit! Especially with the boom of coffee shops in Japan.
For this California girl, I’m just glad I have a little sunshine from home in Japan. :) Looking forward to making more visits!