Taster's Coffee, the World's Favorite Coffee Shop, Opens First Store in Kobe International Events to be Held One after Another

Taster's Coffee Japan G.K. (Representative: Jake Hu) will open the world's first physical store of Taster's Coffee, Taiwan's leading specialty coffee roastery, in Kobe City on December 21, 2025. Until now, Taster's Coffee has only operated an office, roasting facility, and online sales from its headquarters in Taiwan.

Jake Hu, a legend in the specialty coffee industry

Founder Jake Hu started his career as a pharmaceutical researcher. He moved from Taiwan to support his partner, a medical doctor, in her attempts to work in the U.S. While working from home and raising a family, he discovered the joys of coffee and began researching coffee using a scientific approach. Since then, he has continued to pursue reproducible taste and has become a widely respected leader in the international specialty coffee industry. 2011, he founded Taster's Coffee in Taipei, and currently serves as the Representative of World Coffee Events (WCE) ( 2014-present) and plays a key role in the management of the World Convention.

He has also served as head judge at the following competitions over the years:

Head Judge of the World Brewers Cup (WBrC) from 2015 to 2023

Head Judge of the World Coffee Roasting Championship (WCRC) from 2017 to 2025

Head Judge of the World Siphonist Championship (WSC) from 2014 to 2024

In addition, the company provides technology and consulting services for a number of innovative professional coffee equipment, including the CT62 series of drippers, uniquely designed based on extraction theory, and is highly trusted by roasters and baristas around the world. Although not yet widely known in Japan, Jake Huang is regarded in the international coffee community as a "legend of the specialty coffee scene" and the "father of the Taiwan specialty coffee scene," and his entry into Japan is expected to breathe new life into the specialty coffee scene in Japan.

The store will offer top-class specialty coffees carefully selected by Jake Hu from around the world, as well as high-quality specialty teas from Taiwan. The store uses theoretically constructed, reproducible recipes and equipment, allowing every staff member to reproduce the individuality and sophistication of the beans. We also offer a carefully selected lineup of specialty coffees and teas from Taiwan. This is a space where you can experience the new charm of specialty coffee and tea in the city of Kobe.

At the shop, you can purchase Jake Hu's brewing equipment and coffee beans roasted by the company. These items are also available at the already opened online store ( https://tasterscoffee.jp ), so customers who cannot visit the store can enjoy the quality of Taster's Coffee in the comfort of their own homes.

During the opening period, Jake Hu himself is scheduled to visit the store and make a special coffee brewing event.

Outline of the store

Store name ： Taster's Coffee Japan Kobe

　　　　　　　　　　 (Location ： Chuo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture)

Location ： 100 Monlpo Daphne Building, 4-15-1 Shimoyamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo

Opening Date ： December 21, 2025 (Sun.)

Opening hours: 11:00-17:00 on the opening day

　　　　　　　　　　 Regular business hours: 10:00-17:00 (closed on Wednesdays)

Online store : https://tasterscoffee.jp

Taster's Coffee logo

After the opening, Taster's Coffee will actively host a variety of international events.

January 17, 2026

Pop-up event at One Half Roastery, a popular roastery in Malaysia

February 25, 2026

Cupping event by "Villa Clara," a hot green bean company in Taiwan

Others

Coffee seminar for professionals by Jake Hu (date to be determined)

These events will bring top international players to Kobe and provide a rare opportunity to experience something that is not easily available in Japan. These events are designed to appeal to a wide range of participants, from coffee experts to general coffee lovers.