MILAN – Did you know that coffee is one of the most popular drinks in Japan? Yes, the Land of the Rising Sun is among the largest consumers of coffee in the world. From American coffee to cold coffee, from canned coffee to filtered coffee, the Japanese are true coffee lovers.
While the matcha tea trend is taking the world by storm, the Japanese are already on track to conquer the world again – next, with coffee.
Today we present % Arabica, one of the most popular Japanese coffee shops, founded in Kyoto in 2014 by Kenneth Shoji. The coffee shop currently has branches all over the world including France, Germany, United Arab Emirates, China, Philippines and beyond.
A rather interesting character, Shoji, but how did he get the idea of opening Japanese coffee shops around the world?
His very interesting story begins with the influence of his father. An entrepreneur in the manufacturing and commercial sector, his father took him on his many trips abroad – fueling Shoji’s love for multiculturalism, design and architecture.
After graduating college in California and working as a real businessman in a trading company back in Japan, Shoji began to ask questions about his existence and his conditions for happiness.
He concluded that what he really needs is a simple life, with no particular pretensions, that allows him to satisfy his basic needs (eating, dressing and having a home to live in). Following the model of his parents, he also wanted to give his children the best and allow them to discover the beauties of the world. Most importantly, he thought about what made him really happy every day.
The answer? A good cup of coffee.
With this, the brilliant entrepreneur founded % Arabica.
And in just 5 years, Shoji has successfully brought the unique coffee shop “Made in Japan” around the world!
At % Arabica, you can enjoy your coffee in true Zen style, amidst small but elegant and minimalist spaces that recall Japanese culture and design.
You can also try different coffee aromas, taste the most varied blends and buy the beans from the Arabica % factory on the island of Hawaii.
In April of this year the first Arabica % coffee shop in Kuwait opened in collaboration with the Japanese-Canadian architect Oki Sato, head of the “Nendo” design office (Milan-Tokyo headquarters), who with his architecture and minimalist design, in perfect harmony with the philosophy of Kenneth Shoji, has surprised the world.
Today % Arabica boasts more than 30 stores worldwide and many other openings are planned.
If America has managed to enter Italy with Starbucks, why wouldn’t Japan succeed?
We hope % Arabica will bring a bit of oriental perfume (strictly coffee) to Italy too!
Sara Waka
