08coffee is a quaint coffee shop and coffee bean retailer located in the city of Akita. Set off from the main road, the space is as cozy as its neighborhood. It occupies a large white building with parking on the ground level and the cafe space above it, that serves up specialty coffee from all around the world, which is roasted on premise every morning.
08coffee was opened in 2011 by rugby-player-turned-barista Kazuya Kodama, who wanted to apply the same level of discipline he brought to the sport, to both his cafe and his coffee. The 08 is the number he wore when he played rugby.
But it was his love for his hometown of Akita that led him to a collaboration with illustrator Toshiyuki Fukuda. Together, they created sets of packaged ice coffee featuring various homages to Akita, which are available in mini and large sizes.
If you find yourself in Akita, 08coffee (map) is definitely worth a visit. But even if you don’t, the packaged coffee and other goodies are also available online.
