Total coffee consumption in Japan 2000-2023

In 2023, around 401.6 million tons of coffee were consumed in Japan, declining by over seven percent compared to the previous year. Compared to the turn of the century, coffee demand rose in the last decades amid a shift of consumer preferences from tea to coffee.

The coffee market in Japan

Japan is one of the largest coffee markets in the world. As the cultivation of coffee plants is limited to a few local farms, the Japanese industry relies on imported products to cover the domestic demand. The country is a major importer of coffee, sourcing its products predominantly from the largest exporter, Brazil.
The market in Japan distributes the beverage in various forms and sales channels. While coffee shops offer the drink freshly brewed from grounded beans, retail stores include bottled coffee-based drinks in their product range. Additionally, for a quick energy boost along the way, vending machines sell canned-coffee drinks that are heated or cooled depending on the season.

Coffee or tea: Where does the favorite hot drink lie?

While the hot beverage culture in Japan is commonly associated with freshly brewed tea and traditional tea ceremonies, coffee did not fall behind in popularity among consumers. The brewed drink was chosen as the most popular non-alcoholic beverage after green tea in Japan. Furthermore, the majority of coffee drinkers would enjoy at least one cup daily, with home consumption playing a prominent role among Japanese consumer.