Australian Coffee Roaster Single O Is Opening Its First International Cafe in Tokyo

Since 2019, coffee lovers nabbing their caffeinated brews from Single O's Surry Hills cafe in Sydney have been pouring their cuppas from a self-serve tap system. Basically, it's the coffee you make when you're not actually making the coffee, and it's about to be on offer in Tokyo as well.

No stranger to the Japanese capital thanks to its existing roastery and tasting bar in Ryogoku — as well as supplying local cafes, and also serving athletes in the Tokyo Olympic Village this year — Single O is launching its first international cafe. It'll open its doors in the Hamacho district in the city's east on Thursday, October 28. When overseas travel resumes and Japan lets Aussies back into the country for holidays, you'll know where to grab a taste of home.

Single O's new Tokyo base will also go a step further than its Surry Hills sibling — and not just because it'll feature six self-pour taps instead of four. The Hamacho cafe will also sport the brand's first in-store coffee subscription package, letting customers purchase monthly access to drop by and pour their own cuppas.

When it opens its doors, the Tokyo spot will launch with five specialty brews, Colombian microlots and an award-winning Cup Of Excellence from Peru included. As for the sixth spot, that'll rotate through international guest roasters. And if you're after an espresso, Single O's signature blend Reservoir will also be on offer.

Food-wise, you'll be pairing your caffeine with Aussie staples — such as Single O's signature banana bread with espresso butter, freshly baked pies and a range of jaffles. Chef Yu Sasaki is behind the the menu, after a career spent hopping between The French Laundry in the US, Sydney's Marque and then founding Single O Surry Hills neighbour Creasion.

Single O's Hamacho cafe will also boast the brand's Heads of Japan Yu and Mamiko Yamamoto leading the launch, as well as barista Ken Takakura and retail operations head Yasuko Miura — the latter fresh from Luke Mangan's Tokyo Glass Brasserie.

And, the venue has the honour of being designed via Zoom during Sydney's lockdown. Australian designer Luchetti Krelle — who also worked on the Surry Hills cafe — has overseen a fitout that includes a curve-heavy front counter, tables made from recycled plastic and a sustainable fibreboard espresso bar created from upcycled clothing.

Also catching the eye: a monochrome mural in texta pen by local artist Washio Tomoyuki, plus a 'Cloud' ceiling artwork by Sydney's Ren Fernando that's made from repurposed end-of-line paper and coloured with coffee and other substances.

Find Single O's Hamacho Cafe at 3-16-7 Nihonbashi Hamacho Chuo Tokyo from Thursday, October 28 — open from 7.30am–7pm Monday–Friday and 8am–7pm Saturday–Sunday.