UCC Coffee Museum Reopens After a Six-Year Hiatus The UCC Coffee Museum was established on October 1, 1987 (Coffee Day) in Kobe, the company’s birthplace, driven by the passionate desire of UCC founder Tadao Ueshima to “share the wonders of coffee with as many people as possible.” It is Japan’s only museum dedicated exclusively to coffee, covering a wide range of information on the subject, and has welcomed a total of 1.5 million visitors from both Japan and abroad. Although it was temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now reopening after six years as a coffee-themed park where both adults and children can learn and have fun. Aimed at preserving, evolving, and creating knowledge about coffee, this renovation involved comprehensive upgrades to the building’s structure, interior, and exterior. The museum now features exhibits covering every aspect of coffee—from its origins, cultivation, and evaluation to brewing and culture—and has introduced a new experiential lab where visitors can explore the science and future of coffee. In addition, the museum offers a wide range of hands-on activities designed to appeal to everyone from adult coffee enthusiasts to children who don’t usually drink coffee, including food and dessert pairings in the coffee lounge, paper drip brewing, coffee blending, 3D latte art, and coffee roasting. Each of these activities is designed to be a memorable experience that is difficult to replicate at home or in a coffee shop.
Experience Coffee Pairing at the Coffee Lounge! (Reservations required; fee applies) At the 1st-floor Coffee Lounge (Lounge by UCC COFFEE ACADEMY), you can experience coffee pairings with food and sweets led by coffee professionals from the UCC Group. Introduction Course (2,200 yen, approx. 25 minutes) “Blends”—coffee made by combining beans from multiple origins—are both familiar and deeply complex. In this course, you’ll learn about the differences in aroma and flavor between the blend and the three specific origins that make it up. You’ll then pair each of these three coffees with foods and sweets that bring out their unique flavors, allowing you to experience the changes and depth of their taste profiles. Finally, while enjoying pairings with sweets that are perfect for the blend, you’ll truly appreciate the layered complexity and depth of the finished blend. Discovery Course (3,300 yen, approx. 45 minutes) Depending on its origin, variety, and processing method, coffee possesses a wide variety of unique characteristics, such as fruity aromas and gentle sweetness. Taste these diverse aromas and flavors to discover the coffee that suits your personal preferences. There is no “right” answer—finding what you personally “like” will further enhance your daily enjoyment of coffee. You can also experience pairing each coffee with food and sweets.
Paper Drip, Blend Creation, and 3D Latte Art Workshops! (Reservations required; fees apply) We’re hosting “Cube by UCC COFFEE ACADEMY” (workshops) as an opportunity to experience some of the programs offered by the “UCC Coffee Academy,” a specialized coffee education institution where everyone—from beginners to those who want to make a career in coffee—can learn systematically. We’re offering a paper drip experience, a blend-making experience where you can discover your own original blend, and a 3D latte art experience with cute designs that even kids will love. This lineup is designed for everyone to enjoy—from adult coffee lovers to children who don’t drink coffee.
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