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As an Asian nation, Japan has a long history and culture of drinking tea.  Green tea, in particular, is very popular and is grown & harvested in various regions around the country.  But coffee has also come to be very popular in Japan.  Coffee was originally introduced to the country way back in the early 18th century by Dutch traders.  Later on, as Japan was "Westernizing" the first coffee shop was opened in Tokyo in 1888.  Thereafter, Japan's coffee culture continued to develop.  Coffee especially gained popularity after World War II, when imports resumed and canned coffee became a convenient option for many.  Nowadays, coffee can be enjoyed at traditional-style "Kissa-ten" (喫茶店) cafes, which are small businesses, set-up to provide a quiet place to sit for a while and offering light meals.  Canned & bottled coffee can also be purchased in vending machines, which are located in numerous locations (and during the cold months, some of the canned drinks are heated).  National coffee shop chain stores are now located all around Japan.  In Yokosuka City, for example, you can find a Starbucks in More's City department store, Tully's has two outlets inside Coaska Bayside Stores shopping mall, Excelsior is right by Keikyu Kurihama railway station, and in the Chuo/downtown area there are Cafe de Crie and Doutor.  Of note, fresh coffee making & pouring machines have also been installed in many convenience stores.  We hope you will get a chance to try and enjoy the many coffee drinking options while you live in the Yokosuka City or greater Miura Peninsula area.

Written by Goodfield