Essential Expresso Coffee

Without seeming too presumptuous, I am travelling to Japan and wish to know if I can get good coffee. when I say good coffee I mean equivalent to European coffee not Starbucks which I consider a very diluted American imitation

I had read an interview about "Blue Bottle Coffee" James Freeman's favorite coffee houses in Tokyo.
BEAR POND ESPRESSO in Shimokitazawa
http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1318/A131802/13093829/
Cafe Bach near Asakusa
http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1324/A132401/13003759/
Chatei Hatou in Shibuya
http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13001169/
NOZY COFFEE in Sangenjaya
http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1317/A131706/13114599/

I read recently that Starbucks was having a hard time in Australia because Australians are already familiar with what real espresso should be like. Unfortunately Japan is full of Starbucks and Starbucks imitations, but you could try the Italian Segafredo Zanetti chain, which I think is better.

See here:
http://www.segafredo.jp/storelocator_en.html

It's spelled 'espresso,' and there's been a boom in serious espresso in Japan in the past couple of years. Starbucks led the way several years back, by introducing the concept of non-smoking coffee shops in a commercial environment where no one thought it could be possible. Now there are little espresso bars and roasteries all over the big cities. Here are a few listings for Tokyo: http://tokyoespresso.com/

I recommend the Inoda coffee.
Shop in Tokyo Daimaru Crowded, but likes Sanjo stores and head office in Kyoto.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/inoda-coffee-honten
Segafred Zanetti is also good.

Thanks everybody for your help, much appreciated

Sorry to jump on the thread. But is coffee expensive? What is considered a normal price for coffee in Japan?

I do not know what normal is, and Veloce and Doutor Coffee is cheap, if a self-service shop.
Cheapest, Doutor 220 yen blend coffee. Veloce is 190 yen.
Also in store self-service, and high a little more that's shop of stylish little feeling.
Starbucks, Tully's, Excelsior, such as Sega Fred Zanetti during the 300 yen to 400 yen.
Rather than self-service, chain stores that waitress carries high a little more.
Inoda coffee is 515 yen in the head office.
The coffee shop of the ordinary, the price varies depending on commitment to coffee.
About 1000 from \ full 400 roughly.
Coffee much 1000 yen is not too much.
About 100 yen and that's self of a convenience store.

Coffee from 200 to 400 isn't too bad a price. Just have to see what quality it turns out to be otherwise I'll have to get my caffeine fix in another way.

I'm sure the baristas of Japan are quaking in their boots.

Price that I wrote, is the price of the cheapest coffee in the shop.
Price is slightly higher menu other.
That towards the store price is high, enjoy leisurely coffee often.

I suppose since I am a coffee snob, I will have to pay more for the above average.

Umami: Yes my dear, they better quake.

Good thread, last time I went Starbucks it was pretty boring coffee, so I will be taking some of those recommendations, thanks nothing worse than a bad coffee

Hello,

I have had excelent coffee at the french Brasserie "Viron" on Shibuya.

http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/venue/2043/Viron


I live in switzerland, and I am used to drinking rather "good" espresso.