You don’t have to fly to Japan to drink Lilo and About Us Coffee: A champion-level Japanese coffee lineup gathers in Hong Kong, coffee lovers absolutely can’t miss it

For coffee lovers, the appeal of Japanese specialty coffee lies in its artisans’ near-obsessive pursuit of flavor. If you’ve ever made a special trip to Kansai for a cup from Lilo or About Us Coffee, you won’t want to miss this coffee market. Hopewell Centre has brought leading coffee professionals from across Japan to Hong Kong for the three-day “MIJ Coffee Journey – Coffee Artisan Market.” From world roasting champions to legendary cafes named among Asia’s 50 Best, the lineup is all here, along with freshly brewed tasting experiences – practically bringing Japan’s coffee map to Wan Chai.

• Related reading: Another pilgrimage-worthy cafe is coming to Taipei: “paopao” is set to open soon, and its white chocolate, strawberry, pork floss, and fresh cheesecake is almost unfairly good!

A lineup of champion-level Japanese coffee professionals: These standout brands are a must-try!

This lineup is exciting just to look at. Every name is an influential craft professional in the industry, including these better-known names:

1. Champion names from Kyoto and Niigata: About Us Coffee & Days Coffee Roaster

About Us Coffee, from Fushimi in Kyoto, was founded by Yasunari Sawanoi, who won the 2022 Coffee Collection World Discover championship. Its beans are known for their clean, sweet profile, with a sip conveying Kyoto’s warm, gentle character. Days Coffee Roaster from Niigata is another strong contender. Its roaster, Wataru Shirai, just won the same competition in 2024. If you like light roasts with distinct layers and pronounced sweetness, this is a booth you should definitely line up for.

2. The ultimate experimental spirit: Red Poison Coffee & Roast Design Coffee

Red Poison Coffee from Kanagawa is certainly a name to watch. In pursuit of perfection, its owner, Tomoyuki Morifuji, even developed the Solid coffee roaster himself. Its exceptional clarity makes it easy even for hand-brew beginners to produce high-quality coffee. Ryo Mikami of Roast Design Coffee is also a seasoned judge, and his coffees are as precise as scientific experiments, with impressively distinct layers.

3. Stylish flavors from Osaka and Ginza: Lilo Coffee & XCoffee

Lilo Coffee, which has been named among Asia’s 50 most popular coffee shops, attracts plenty of fans not only for its quality coffee, but also for its warm, witty brand atmosphere. If you prefer a minimalist aesthetic, Ginza’s XCoffee comes in all-black packaging and specializes in bright single-origin coffees with floral and fruity notes, for a polished, modern urban feel.

Bring Japanese flavors home

In addition to coffee to enjoy on-site, the market will offer plenty of coffee beans, drip bags, and professional brewing equipment shipped directly from Japan. Some are event-exclusive sets, making this a great opportunity to stock up if you want to recreate a slower-paced Japanese lifestyle at home. There will also be talks with coffee professionals, so if you’re interested in roasting philosophies or brewing techniques, be sure to stay and hear what the experts have to share.

MIJ Coffee Journey – Coffee Artisan Market

Date: February 27-March 1, 2026

Location: Hopewell Cluster, Hopewell Centre

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