The ideal Japanese coffee is based on the "aesthetics of subtraction" of the tea ceremony -- Omotesando Coffee, Eiichi Kunitomo Part 2/3 [INTERVIEW]

Mar 28, 2015

The success of Bread and Espresso inspired Kunitomo to further focus on coffee, opening Omotesando Coffee, a more specialized establishment. A 2x2m cube was installed inside a charming, old-fashioned Japanese house. This long-awaited kiosk-style stand offers high-quality, reasonably priced coffee. "I thought it would be great to be able to drink delicious coffee at a station kiosk, and that's how I arrived at this style. Starting with whether or not sugar was needed, I adjusted the packing method and flavor to suit each customer's preferences and mood, and wanted to provide each cup of coffee that met their needs." At Omotesando Coffee, the coffee machine is deliberately positioned for easy viewing. Customers can watch the coffee drip from the holder, while the baristas, on the other hand, feel a sense of tension as they work. This is also why the baristas wear white coats. They face the customer, explain the beans and how to drink them, listen to their preferences as if they were profiling them, and then prepare the perfect cup to suit their request. Although he's a barista, the counseling aspect is more than apparent. Kunitomo's ideal style of service is linked to the worldview of the tea ceremony, and he believes that a one-on-one tea-making service, like the traditional tea ceremony, is what a Japanese coffee shop should be. As Kunitomo describes it, "It's an aesthetic of minimalism," so tea, soft drinks, and other items are off the menu, and there's no food. While there were some concerns at the time of opening, the decision to specialize in coffee has proven to be a success, attracting coffee lovers. "Coffee is a kind of communication tool between baristas and customers, and it allows them to share information and connect with others. In Italy, baristas were the hubs of information, to the point that they would say, 'If you want to know about a town, ask the barista.' I think that element has been present since the coffee shops of old."

After catering for Tokyo Collection and fashion brands, Kunitomo also took charge of directing the coffee for Monocle Cafe (Yurakucho, Tokyo), the world's first cafe launched by Monocle magazine, as well as select shops. He has also been successful in collaborating with companies from different genres.

3/3--Finally, we'll talk about Kunitomo Eiichi's coffee and its flavor, which has captured the hearts of designers and creators.
粂真美子
  • Inside Omotesando Coffee, there is a kiosk-style cube measuring 2m x 2m.
  • The shop is a renovated, quaint old Japanese house. At first glance, you wouldn't know it's a coffee shop, but it's bustling with customers even on weekday afternoons. Kunitomo-san stands in front of the shop.
Back to Top