As a local business based in Otaru, we have been looking out for the best coffee shops in Hokkaido.
Today we will be sharing four coffee shops with you that you should know about and pay a visit to when you are in Sapporo!
Founded just recently at the end of 2019, Alchemist Coffee is a coffee bean shop up on a hill in the gourmet district in Maruyama.
A restaurant chef was actually the first person who told me about this coffee shop, as they use the coffee from Alchemist themselves.
If you are a big fan of coffee, which describes me, this is an interesting place to visit.
It is a beans-only store and not a cafe, but they do drip three different coffees for you to taste before you choose which ones to buy.
I love their idea of letting customers sample their coffee together with the staff so we can do flavor comparisons in-store with professionals.
The conversation with the staff is something really special for coffee enthusiasts...
The owner, Kawahara-san, just announced that they are also going to start distributing their coffee to Kumo Restaurant in Skye Niseko!
Website: Alchemist Coffee
My personal favorite coffee shop to hang out in so far is Morihico Coffee.
Morihico is a coffee shop that first opened in the gourmet district of Sapporo, Maruyama, on the west side of Sapporo City.
It became so popular that it has now expanded to several outlets throughout the city, each branch having its own unique taste, and also to Asahikawa.
Throughout Japan, Starbucks is known as the coffee shop that collaborates with Tsutaya Book Store to serve coffee within their premises, but Morihico is the one that collaborates with Tsutaya in Sapporo.
The branch I usually go to is just a few buildings east of the famous clock tower in the city center.
It has a variety of nice blends, and the coffee tends to be more aromatic and complex, so I personally have a lot of fun trying out their coffee whenever I am in town!
Website: Morihico Coffee
Marumi Coffee is the coffee shop owned by a winner of the Japan Coffee Roasting Championships 2013.
I really like ordering their espresso and latte sampler set.
I also ranked the coffee shop on this list as it has a coffee stand branch in B1F of Sitatte, a commercial building on the underground path between Sapporo Station and Odori Station.
My favorite ramen shop Kagari is just behind that coffee stand, so you might bump into me buying a take out coffee here!
Website: Marumi Coffee
There is something really special about the coffee here and I think this coffee shop is one of the best in Sapporo.
If you like dark roasted coffee, I would definitely recommend making a visit to this cafe in Maruyama.
We were actually very lucky to interview the owner, so please have a read if dark roast is the taste for you!
Website: RITARU COFFEE
Feel free to schedule a 15-minute video call with one of our Japanese Culture Experts for any questions you may have.
We can translate, explain, and help in any travel situation you encounter during your time in Japan.
The video call conversation is a new feature that we would like to test out.
It's free of charge, so please kindly reserve a suitable time from the calendar below and choose your preferred messaging app.