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Tokyo · Japan

Onibus Coffee

Since 2012 · Atsushi Sakao

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Overview

Onibus was founded in 2012 by Atsushi Sakao in Okusawa, a residential pocket of Tokyo, after Sakao trained as a barista in Australia and worked at Paul Bassett in Shinjuku. The roaster's name is the Portuguese word for 'bus', and Sakao deliberately sited the original cafe in a sleepy neighbourhood to build a regulars-driven community rather than a destination retail spot.

Known for

  • One of Tokyo's earliest third-wave specialty roasters
  • Sister concept store About Life Coffee Brewers in Shibuya — a multi-roaster window also pouring Switch, Amameria and guest beans
  • 15kg Diedrich at the Nakameguro roastery (after starting on a Fuji Royal in the early years)
  • Light, Nordic-leaning roast profiles refined for Japanese filter and espresso service
  • Wholesale supply to cafes across Tokyo and Kyoto

Why it matters

Onibus is consistently named by Tokyo coffee professionals as the city's must-visit roaster. Sakao broke from the dark-roast convention dominant in Japan in 2012, and his decision to open in a residential area rather than a retail strip helped seed the model now common across Tokyo's specialty scene.

Production

destoning
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head roaster
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color sorting
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roaster machine
Diedrich IR-15 (15kg)
filter equipment
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cupping frequency
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roastery location
Nakameguro, Tokyo
espresso equipment
La Marzocco Linea PB (at About Life Coffee Brewers)
annual volume tonnes
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Café

2-14-1 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo (Nakameguro flagship)

Recognitions

  • Routinely named must-visit Tokyo coffee shop by Japanese specialty coffee professionals (Sprudge Tokyo Coffee Profiles)

Sources

More roasters