[Tokyo] When Blue Bottle Coffee launches their first vending machine in mid 2020 during the pandemic, I was pretty surprised but yet excited.
First started in Oakland, California, and is considered one of the major players in the boom of third wave coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee became popular in Asia due to its very first international outlet right here in Tokyo.
Their clean-cut branding, Scandinavian interior design, decent coffee and service can be seen at all their outlets.
Yet moving forward, Blue Bottle Coffee has diverted from their usual cafe concept and launched a vending machine.
There is no shortage of Japanese vending machines along the street, but what makes it stands out the most initially is the price.
Most drinks in the vending machines are priced between JPY 100 to JPY 200 (SGD1 – 2), but for Blue Bottle Vending Machine, their cheapest canned drink is priced at JPY 700 (SGD7)!
The first Blue Bottle vending machine was installed in Shibuya because it is one of the busiest and most crowded areas in Tokyo and yet there was no Blue Bottle cafes there then.
Blue Bottle Cafe subsequently opened in Shibuya in early 2022.
Located at a parking lot in Shibuya, the Blue Bottle vending machine sells 2 types of Cold Brew Canned Coffee (236ml for JPY 700, SGD7) – Bright and Bold.
The Cold Brew Canned Coffee (JPY 700, SGD7) – Bright uses naturally processed Ethiopian beans dried with trace amounts of the coffee cherry which embodies them with light, berry and acidic tones.
The Cold Brew Canned Coffee (JPY 700, SGD7) – Bold, on the other hand, uses Central American coffee beans with a dark roast, with hints of chocolate and caramel for a fuller coffee profile.
Avid coffee drinkers can also get Blue Bottle coffee beans – Bright and Bold directly from the vending machine, packed in 200g package at JPY 1590 (SGD15.90) each.
Other products include 5 individual sticks of Instant Coffee at JPY 1730 (SGD17.30) and Box of 4 pieces Yokan (Japanese traditional confectionery) at JPY 1730 (SGD17.30) for takeaway to enjoy in the comfort of your home.
With a vending machine, Blue Bottle is now even more accessible for those looking for good coffee at anytime of the day.
Blue Bottle Vending Machine
Mitsui Repark Shibuya 1-chome Number 9 Parking Lot (Tokyo-to, Shibuya-ku 1-9-14 )
Opening Hours: 24 hours (Mon – Sun)
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* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
