Tokyo: A guide by ONIBUS Coffee’s Atsushi Sakao 🇯🇵

Originally from Choshi City on the east coast of Japan, Atsushi Sakao discovered specialty coffee in Australia and opened ONIBUS Coffee in 2012 as one of Tokyo’s first specialty shops. In his work he loves “being able to connect with a lot of people, regardless of race or country”—including everyday locals.

Atsushi’s guide is to the point, highlighting some of his favorite places to take friends around Tokyo.

*Atsushi Sakao founded ONIBUS Coffee in Tokyo in 2012. Photos courtesy of ONIBUS Coffee*

Filter: What specifically do you like to do for fun around Tokyo?

I like my neighborhood.

I go to Gakugei Daigaku area for craft beer and natural wine. There are nice bottle shops and bars like wineshop lulu and Sanity.

I also go to ONIBUS COFFEE Yakumo, one of ONIBUS branches, even on my days off. That is close to the Komazawa Park. I like to go there with my son.

Filter: If a good friend came to visit, where would you be sure to take them?

Sowado in Ebisu is a place I bring my friends.

It’s a casual fine dining of Japanese cuisine. Instagram: @sowado_ebisu

Filter: What do you like to do to escape the city? Are there any tips people should know before trying these?

It's about a 1-2 hour drive from Tokyo, there's plenty of nature, so if I have time, I go camping at Doshinomori camp site. Instagram: @doshinomori_

Filter: What touristy things in or around Tokyo are worth the hype?

Kashima Jingu Shrine and Ibaraki.

I've been into Japanese myths for years. You must be quiet at the shrine, but this is the place where I quietly get excited.

Filter: Where are your favorite quiet corners or hidden gems there?

Kashima Jingu Shrine, Ibaraki, Katori Jingu Shrine, and Chiba.

Filter: What makes Tokyo feel like home to you?

Tokyo is a big city. However every towns/areas in Tokyo has different characteristics, and I think you'll be able to find a city that suits you.

And if you once live here for a long time, you'll find shops where you know very well, and it's really fun to feel connection with people.

Filter: How did you end up founding ONIBUS?

I am from Choshi City. A port town in Chiba. It’s 3 hours driving away from Tokyo.

When I was backpacking in 2006, I was really impressed by coffee culture in Australia and decided to work in the coffee industry. I went on backpacking in Asia for a year and started my career after coming back to Japan.

I opened the first ONIBUS Coffee shop in Okusawa, a small town in Tokyo, by myself in 2012. Now there are 10 shops.

Filter: What do you find rewarding about your work?

One of the rewarding things about working at a coffee shop is being able to connect with a lot of people, regardless of race or country. And I think it's really wonderful to be able to share life with people who live in the area.

The other thing is the range of work. There are jobs like coffee buying, where you go to Africa and Central and South America, select green coffee, and bring it to Japan, which is similar to a trading company. There are also customer service jobs. Also we need craftsmanship when we roast and brew coffee. So you can always pursue your passion without getting bored.

Filter: What are some of your favorite coffee shops in the world?

Market Lane Coffee (Melbourne, Australia) and Artificer coffee (Sydney, Australia).

Filter: If you could move to any place in the world just for the coffee scene, where would it be?

It would be Rwanda, where I visit to buy green coffee beans every year. I want to run coffee farm and to do a lot of experiments, so that it could be a model case in Rwandan coffee production.

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ONIBUS Coffee roasts & serves coffee in cafes throughout Tokyo.

ONIBUS - Yakumo

ONIBUS - Nakameguro

ONIBUS - Okusawa

About Life Coffee Brewers - Dogenzaka

ONIBUS - Jiyugaoka

ONIBUS - Nasu

About Life Coffee Brewers - Shibuya

Food & Beverage

Gakugei Daigaku

wineshop lulu