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Michael188 · Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 16

Hi,

I am off to have a cup of coffee and study Japanese. Every time I go and do this I think "Why is a cup of coffee 320 yen?" No matter where I go it the same outrageous price.

It makes no sense why it should be double the price of a cup in Canada. Maybe it is import tariffs? Maybe the ocha tea police demand higher prices to protect Japanese ocha market from alternative competitors. What is even more baffling is that a latte or a mocha are the same or close to the same prices as in Canada, but just a regular cup of Joe is out of this world.

So can anyone one give me a reasonable explanation why a cup of coffee is 320 yen or more for what I consider terrible coffee. Yes, I think Japanese coffee is terrible, whereas the lattes, mochas etc. are very good.

Mike

shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270

Venti · Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 171 Location: Kanto, Japan

Only a chain smoking, pornographic manga-reading salaryman drinks regular coffee at a coffee shop.

As for non-smoking joints, does anyone drink the regular stuff at Starbucks? I don't think so.

Drink the regular stuff at home and drink your mochas, lattes, etc... at the coffee shop.

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

wintersweet · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 3:28 am Post subject:

I remember buying coffee at the Narita airport. It was a little pricey. But it came in lovely, British porcelain cups--the really nice, delicate, thin ones. I can't imagine anyone trusting an airport customer with fine china in an American airport... I really enjoyed it but I think a lot of people would rather have the paper cup and half the price.

The "you're basically renting living room space, since you don't have any yourself" theory seems to be the dominant one.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

A cafe latte at Doutor is 210 yen- I don't think that's expensive at all. In NZ these days you are looking at 3-4 dollars for a latte or cappucino. Starbucks is expensive everywhere, as above, you're paying for the atmosphere.

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

ShaggyZ · Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 25 Location: Alberta

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

bshabu · Joined: 03 Apr 2003 Posts: 200 Location: Kumagaya

I saw an article awhile back about Starbucks. People think that when they charge a few dollars just four a cup of coffee, latte, mocha, etc... that they should turn a mighty profit. But it also, like suize said, people sit their and relax, talk, study, work, sometimes for an hour or more. Go to any Starbuck in Japan(not including Kansai Airport) and it's the same price. Basically, as wintersweet said, renting space. So Starbucks, however successful, they don't turn as much profit as one might think. With that being said, I still would love a piece of that pie.

Another point is that time are getting better. I was a exchange student in Uni about 11 years ago. at that time there were VERY few places that had free refills. Now there are man...but not all. No Starbucks(even in Tokyo) and less chain shops available then there are today. Now there are many restaurants that have free refills.

Hoser · Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 694 Location: Toronto, Canada

I want to know why it costs me 360 for a cup of hot chocolate!

Michael188 · Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 16

Hmmm,

The cost of rent and passing on the cost to the price of coffee does not jive . Why? Well, if it comes down to that then why does the average meal at say MacDonald's have virtually the same price as it does in Canada or the USA. Using the argument of limited space and rent then MacDonald's Big Mac and fries and a shake should be a lot more expensive. If store rents are so high why are the costs not passed to customers for say for clothes, computers, and cameras? All seem to be in line to what I would pay in Canada for the same items.

Hey, I am not complaining. A Latte a day is my guilty pleasure... I accept it. I just want to know why it costs, so damn much for a such a cheap commodity buy wholesale and is so expensive when sold retail in Japan in relation to NA.

Yeah, why does a hot cholcolate cost 360Yen?

Mike

User N. Ame · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 222 Location: Kanto

This was the first thing I noticed after arriving in Japan. The price of a cup of coffee. And the generally poor quality. Aside from Starbucks, getting a cheap cup of jo in Japan that is brewed properly (I'm certain I've been served instant at some of these Key Coffee joints) is an exercise in frustration. Hey remember, this is a nation that places great value on holiday instant coffee gift packs. When I first saw these being sold in fancy boxes in department stores I just stood there and laughed, asking, instant coffee gift packs? This is a joke, right? Is this some kind of gag? Who would give such a gift? Who would receive one with a straight face?

And this nonsense argument about customers not only paying for the coffee, but for the right to sight down and enjoy the space, come on. North American and European cafes don't need to charge 5 bucks for a cup of bad coffee to make ends meet. Moreover, I've found that almost 80% of the time, the takeout price is exactly the same as the sit-down price.

The other thing annoyingly absent in Japan's cafes is the bottomless cup of coffee. I miss being able to walk into any number of Vancouver, Seattle or San Francisco cafes, where they not only serve great, perfectly roasted, organic, fair trade coffee for under 2 bucks, but come around and refill your cup for no extra... and they can afford to do this because they serve food that is more than edible and affordable. Japanese cafes not only lack in coffee department. But try getting a decent bagel or a decent muffin or any soup other than the dreaded corn soup.

Japan does a superb job in many areas of cullinary arts and service, but I'm afraid the institution of the cafe is not one of them. Thank god for Starbucks.

Best advice I have for coffee lovers coming to Japan. Invest in a really nice set of thermoses and do your own brewing at home, especially if you live far away from a Starbucks.

kdynamic · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 562 Location: Japan

There are some coffee shops in Japan (independent ones) that far an away hand down beat anything I have experienced in the US as far as decor and atmosphere go. If I go out looking for that, and i want to sit down and chat with a friend for a long while, then I appreciate it and am willing to form out my 560 yen for a cappuccino or whatever.

However, I too don't understand why there aren't a different class of "just give me my coffee" cheaper places.

Lucky I get regular brewed drip coffee every day at work or I'd lose it. I need my one cup in the morning... and none of this weak watered down BS. I like dark bitter coffee that tries to bite me back. I will never understand why watered down coffee is called "American" in Japan, when real American style coffee is much much stronger than Japanese stuff.

Anyone else noticed that practically no Japanese drink their coffee full on straight up? When they see me drinking it black they are all "kakkoii!!!" and stuff. [shrug]

bshabu · Joined: 03 Apr 2003 Posts: 200 Location: Kumagaya

I brew my own too. Both drip, Mochas and lattes. Got a nice cappucinno machine that make a mean mocha. I just by the beans at my local Starbucks and go from there.