#Japan #Tokyo #Philocoffea #Nazumi Takahashi #Riku Tanaka

Exceptional Achievement by Philocoffea's Baristas

Philocoffea, a renowned coffee company based in Chiba, Japan, has recently celebrated the remarkable achievements of its baristas, Nazumi Takahashi and Riku Tanaka. Both participated in key competitions that showcase the artistry and skill of coffee brewing. The matches included the Japan Hand Drip Championship (JHDC) and the Japan Barista Championship (JBC), hosted by the Specialty Coffee Association of Japan at Tokyo Big Sight in late September 2025.

Nazumi Takahashi achieved an impressive placement of 4th in the JHDC, a significant feat considering she has only been a barista for a year. Riku Tanaka also showcased his talent by ranking 13th in the JBC. To celebrate their successful endeavors, Philocoffea will hold victory events on October 4th and 5th at their Omotesando and 201 stores, where coffee aficionados can enjoy beverages made from the beans used in the competitions.

A Closer Look at the Competitions

Japan Hand Drip Championship (JHDC)

The JHDC is a unique competition concentrated on the hand drip method, beloved across Japan. This year, it witnessed participation from 14 finalists, selected from 215 competitors across four regions: Kobe, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Tokyo. Competitors were judged on their brewing techniques, flavor expression, and overall presentation.

Nazumi Takahashi's Journey

Reflecting on her journey, Takahashi expressed her love for coffee, which blossomed after she was captivated by a specialty brew at a café shortly after moving to Tokyo. It was this inspiring encounter that drove her to explore the world of coffee brewing. She found particular joy in controlling flavors through hand-drip techniques and decided to challenge herself in the JHDC to validate her skills in creating a unique coffee experience. Nazumi's philosophy centers around forming a connection with coffee, believing that every cup should evoke a special moment for the drinker.

For the competition, she used the El Salvador Santa Rosa Pacamara Honey beans for her drips, focusing on optimizing grind size and brewing temperature through rigorous practice. The free brewing category featured Ethiopian Shantawane Washed beans, which offered a delightful array of flavors including orange, apricot, and honey-like sweetness.

Japan Barista Championship (JBC)

The JBC demands competitors to showcase three different types of espresso beverages within a 15-minute timeframe: espresso, milk beverage, and a signature drink, each judged on performance and presentation. Riku Tanaka entered this challenging scene with a strong desire to deliver a uniquely personal presentation, standing out as the only information disseminator among the semi-finalists. He stated that he endeavored to give his utmost during the event, despite ultimately falling short of reaching the finals. This experience deepened his understanding of the competitive landscape and instilled the importance of continual training and growth.

Riku’s JBC journey involved working with Colombia Las Flores Geisha beans, which underwent meticulous processing to achieve a delicate floral aroma mixed with berry and stone fruit flavors. His meticulous brewing process was designed to extract maximum acidity and sweetness, favoring a glass container to enhance the aromatic experience for judges.

Celebratory Events

Philocoffea will honor the baristas’ achievements with victory events featuring the same coffee beans utilized in the competitions. Guests are invited to enjoy their beverages while reflecting on Takahashi and Tanaka’s journeys, as they craft brews based on competition recipes.

Event Details

• - October 4, 2025: Omotesando – Tanaka; PHILOCOFFEA 201 – Takahashi
• - October 5, 2025: Omotesando – Takahashi; PHILOCOFFEA 201 – Tanaka
• - Official Instagram: PhiloCoffea

Philocoffea continues to lead in delivering exceptional coffee experiences, combining expertise with a passion for quality coffee. Established by Tetsu Kasuya, a world champion barista, this company aims not just to sell coffee beans, but to forge memorable coffee moments.

With ambition for growth, Philocoffea plans to drive forward its legacy, fostering the next generation of baristas and bringing high-quality specialty coffee to the forefront.

Company Profile

Philocoffea, founded in November 2017, is renowned for its specialty coffee that resonates with coffee lovers seeking unique experiences. With locations in Chiba and Tokyo, the company thrives on quality and creativity, promising to continue influencing the coffee community and culture in profound ways.