Best Coffee Machine Brew Ups in Japan – Get Your Fix Sorted

Brew Styles and Your Coffee Machine

Basically, a coffee machine makes drip coffee. Ground coffee sits in a filter basket and hot water is added via a spray or shower head. Higher grade coffee machines now use steam brewing. Steam is used to create a pre-infusion to release the flavors and aroma.

The design of the basket as well as the filter are other important brew  parameters. Japan’s two top coffee brands — Hario and Kalita — have their own proprietary filters and papers for a more unique brewing style. Paper filtered coffee and mesh filtered coffee may also taste different.

The other choice for a coffee machine is a pod brewer such as UCC. These machines can also make other pod drinks like tea. They are slightly different form Nepresso machines which really only make pod espressos.

Features as a Guide for Your Coffee Machine Choice

Price point and size are often what delimit choice when buying a coffee machine. Some people may have a preference for a proprietary brew style. However, additional features may also help you make the best choice for your Japan coffee machine.

Will You Need a Built-in Grinder? 

Freshly ground coffee always tastes better. And, especially in Japan, there is an abundance of coffee beans to buy and sample. A coffee machine with a grinder is a convenient choice, but it does increase the price point. These are usually sold as a fully automatic coffee machine.

Some people find that built-in grinders are not as good or as customizable as a dedicated or stand alone electric coffee grinder. Besides, you can also buy a hand held coffee miller which is both more affordable and also a good choice for a coffee grinder.

Carafe Thermos or Cup? 

Where your coffee will land up presents three different choices. The most common is a glass carafe. These usually include a plate for keeping the coffee warm for a while. Keeping coffee warm for anything more than 2 hours will turn it bitter. 

Carafe brewers usually brew two cups at a minimum, but sometimes just one. The downside is glass carafes can break and replacements are often costly. An alternative is a stainless steel carafe. How any carafe pours, though, is a deal breaker. 

A thermos or vacuum flask is a good option for a coffee vessel. They are durable, keep your brew warm enough, and often pour better. Smaller coffee machines will brew directly into a cup or a mug. 

Coffee Machine Water Tanks 

Every coffee machine of course has a water tank. The larger the brew capacity, the larger the tank. However, you want the tank to be easily accessible, with a visible water line, and easy to remove and clean. 

The tank also has a heater that will keep up the water to a specific temperature. Coffee machines have a set temperature. This is not so ideal for getting the most out of specialized types of beans. For this, you’re better off with a pour over coffee dripper.

Don’t forget that the best coffee is made from good filtered water. Some tanks may include a built-in water filter, but these are more likely to be found on an espresso machine.

Mesh Paper Filers and Decaf 

Some coffee machines have a reusable mesh filter, others only a paper filter option. A reusable mesh filter, however, can often easily take an additional paper filter.

Generally, a paper filter delivers a smoother texture, although some say it contaminates the flavor. Filtered coffee, according to studies, is the better choice if you have a cholesterol imbalance. 

If you’re interested in using pre-ground decaf coffee or decaf coffee beans, some machines have a dedicated setting for this. 

Single Brew or Small Coffee Machine 

Pod brewers are often the first choice for a single serve coffee machine. However, there are some nice choices for a small coffee machine if all you need is a mug of coffee . There are also a few innovative portable coffee brewers as well. 

Best Coffee Machine Line Up in Japan 
日本のおすすめのコーヒーメーカー

Best Fully Automatic Coffee Machine (Panasonic NC-A57-K ) : パナソニック 全自動コーヒーメーカー

Compact and ergonomic, this Panasonic has everything you’d ever need in a coffee machine. There are two basic choices in grind and brew levels, plus a decaf mode and two levels of water filtration.

This Panasonic uses steam brewing to initiate the brew cycle. One brew cup from 20℃ water at start takes 6.5 min, and 5 cups around 12min. Mild brews take a little less and decaf more – decaf can only do up to 4 cups which takes 10.5 min.

The water tank has a replaceable bamboo charcoal filter that cuts calcium up to 90%. The carafe has an additional mineral filter setting to soften the brew texture. It has on on/off setting. After brewing, there’s automatic keep warm for 30 min, which can be manually set for up to 2 hours.

The swing out filter basket is a plastic construct and only takes a paper filter. The bottom of the grinder outlet has an additional mesh filter. Depending on the course of your brew, you have to swap out one of two small mesh filters. Steam and water flow through the grind mechanism and clean it during the brewing process.

For decaf, you should use only market available decaf coffee beans or pre-ground blends. You can make different types of coffee like ice coffee which uses a medium grind and a rich brew strength.

Brew Reviews and Blues

This machine brews tasty coffee and that’s why people like it. The use of a paper filer is not universally popular. Papers are not included so you have to make an additional purchase for 1×2 or 102 coffee papers (price link). You need to rinse out, or wipe and dry the grinder mechanism between brews which is an additional task.

• For all the nice extras, this is an easy to use coffee machine and it does a good job.

Best Priced Fully Automatic Coffee Machine (Siroco SC-A211) : シロカ 全自動コーヒーメーカー 

A no fuss coffee maker that is extra compact with a different look. This Sorica has a dial and a button. Use the dial to select one of two grind levels or pre-ground coffee, and then press start.

These nifty Sorica’s come in a couple of models with a few differences between them. This is the cheapest model. It’s key advantages are two levels of grind namely, medium and medium fine, and a simple dial control. The water tank, however, is not detachable, so a little cumbersome.

It has a pre-infusion function using warm water and steam to help the grinds bloom before the main brew cycle begins. There are no other additional settings or features.

Brew Reviews or Blues

This is a good coffee machine especially for a first time buyer. It’s easy to use and for coffee lovers the two grind settings are a treat. The grinder is not a sensor grinder but a timed grinder, so sometimes you have to clean out a few unground beans.

The main gripe is the water tank. Because it isn’t detachable, it’s not so easy to clean. Also, it’s not easy to see the water level, so as long as you don’t always need maximum capacity it will be okay. A nice addition would be a keep warm function.

It also brews 1 to 4 cups, but the SC-A371 model has a stainless steel carafe, while the SC-A361 pictured here has a glass carafe. Compared to our Panasonic lead product, this upgraded Sorica SC-A3 is not such a great value proposition for the price, except for the timer.

Best Coffee Maker with a Vacuum Flask ( Thermos ECK-1000 ): サーモス 真空断熱ポットコーヒーメーカー

A coffee machine that brews into a thermos or vacuum flask is an energy saver, and an accident proof option. This thermos flask is high quality, and the machine as a delay brew timer.

This Thermos brews between 4 and 8 cups (110ml/cup) or up to 1 liter of coffee. It takes from 7 to 11 min. You have to brew into the flask, and you cannot really do single or just two cup brews. After brewing, there’s a timer that counts up to 1 hr so you know how long your coffee has been standing.

Brewing requires a paper filter and there are 5 filters included in the package. The filter size is either 103 or 1×4 coffee filters (price link). There’s no brew strength setting, but that can be customized with the amount of grounds. With the 24 hr timer, you can have your coffee ready when you wake up.

Brew Reviews and Blues

The key thing about a coffee machine with a thermos or vacuum flask, is that the flask actually does keep your coffee hot. This Thermos does exactly that, and much better than other contenders. The delay brew timer is also a much appreciated feature on this coffee machine.

While the machine is easy to use and intuitive, there are quite a few detachable parts for the thermos flask. However, once you get things off, it’s easy to reach inside and clean.

Best Premium Coffee Dripper Machine (Hario EVCM-5TB) : ハリオ 珈琲王 コーヒーメーカー V60

Enjoy the premium experience of V 60 Hario coffee technology. This stylish brewer delivers the visual appeal, splendid aroma, and the true taste of drip coffee.

The Hario V 60 proprietary filter has long proven itself as an excellent coffee maker. Its specialized design draws the coffee down slowly for an excellent strength draw. The spiraled sides regulate the flow and prevent the filter from deforming.

The V 60 filter is typically used for hand-made pour over coffee. For an expert barista, nothing can beat a job done by hand.

However, this mechanized drip brewer does have it’s advantages. One is that it uses steaming to initiate the bloom. Next, it has a 26 pinhole shower head to regulate a steady and even pour. The other advantage is the select and constant temperature. It can brew up to five cups, which is a mission if done by hand.

• The glass drip server and paper filters are made in Japan, but the machine body in China.

Brew Reviews and Blues

People who have tried various coffee machines, attest to the superior taste of what the Hario delivers. This drip machine is pricey. However, if you take care of it, even after its last days, you’re still left with a superior drip filter to use for hand pour over coffee.

One key issue is the post production plastic smell. Unfortunately this is a universal problem with all contact parts that are made in China. You should use citric acid or white vinegar and flush brew your system a few times without coffee. You may have to do it one more time after a few regular brews.

Best Pod and Multi Beverage Server (UCC) : UCC ドリップポッド 一杯抽出 コーヒーマシン

If you’re looking for the convenience a pod brewer, UCC Japan is pretty much the proprietary brand. They have a wide selection of pod coffees and teas to keep you brewing.

These UCCs are the proprietary machine for UCC coffee pods, and also their latest design. This machine simply has two digital scrolls button. One to select coffee, tea, or green tea depending on your pod. The other is for iced, standard, or strong. There’s also a water tank volume indicator

These latest UCC pod brewers come in a number of colors, but they aren’t the most stunning design. The older models, although more attractive in design, don’t have the feature for iced, standard, or strong brew.

• Also available in Teal green.

Brew Reviews and Blues

This UCC pod dripper can be appreciated for the variety of drip capsules available. On the other hand, they are pricey but you can buy a value set with your machine, so check the link carefully. These machines tend to have a plastic smell that only goes away after three or more brews. It seems to affect the flavor, which is a waste.

The other downside is that it only brews up to 200 ml at a time. People are positive about the capsule coffee, but with regular filter coffee the bloom isn’t well-formed, not does it have multiple draws. This means large cups can taste weak. The machine, however, is very quiet.

Best Small Single Serve Coffee Brewer (Cores C311WH): コレス コーヒーメーカー 1杯 マグカップ付

A handy one cup drip coffee brewer that is great for the home, study time, a small apartment, or even the office.

This Cores brewer simply works by pouring water in the the small tank on the top, and filling up the mesh basket with coffee. It starts brewing with a little water and steam to activate the bloom. Then, it pours hot water down into the filter basket slowly effecting a couple of good infusions. Brew time is about 5 to 7 minutes.

This small coffee machine doesn’t really do much more than what you can do yourself with a hand pour over filter. It’s convenient, however, because like any coffee machine, it boils the water for you and has a mesh filter.

Cores is a small coffee brand with a number of select items. One of their most popular items is their gold reusable mesh filter (price link).

Brew Reviews and Blues

Most people find this coffee maker does good enough coffee. The basket is a little smaller than average. Some people who prefer to use a paper filter find that the Kalita KWF-155 filter (price link) works well if you cut the size down by 5mm.

Best Retro Design Coffee Maker (Toffy K-CM5-GE) : トフィー リップコーヒーメーカー

A simple to use retro-designed coffee machine that can add a bit of color to your kitchen. It has three brew strengths and keep warm for 30 minutes.

Toffy is retro novelty brand from 株式会社ぼん家具 (Bon Furnisher) out of Wakayama. They have similar retro designs for an array of small kitchen appliances.

All you have to do is twist the dial to select the brew strength and press the knob. Mild brew takes round 6 min, medium 9 min, and strong takes 11 min. There is no brew volume to select, so you have to brew a one size carafe unless you fill the tank accordingly. Keep warm is only for 30 min before auto switch-off.

Brew Reviews and Blues

For most people the coffee brew quality is satisfactory. For some ground sizes, some coffee grits will filter through the mesh. If you want to use a paper, the 102 filter (price link) is a good fit.

Also, the finish of the product is a little more gloss than the pictured matt finish – so not the ideal retro look. For some people, it doesn’t brew hot enough and the limitations of the heat plate are a downer. If you like the retro look and design, it’s a good enough coffee maker.

Best Electric Siphon Coffee Maker (Twin Bird CM-D854BR) : ツインバード サイフォン式コーヒーメーカー

The elegant joy of siphon coffee from an electric coffee machine. This Siphon coffee machine is made in Japan quality. It’s a convenient and safe choice which captures the aesthetic of a siphon coffee brewer.

Twinbird is an small appliance manufacturer from Nigata. They have a lot of good quality products. The safety feature on this machine is that it automatically switches off when you remove the carafe. If you’re wondering how this siphon coffee brewer works, you can view the Japanese PDF instructions online, or even better, just watch the video below.

Most siphon coffee makers use a Bunsen burner or solid fuel brick. For the convenience of an electric Siphon coffee machine, this is the best choice. It’s a good choice though and a well-made Japanese coffee machine.

• Also available in brown

Brew Reviews and Blues

The nice thing about an electric siphon coffee maker is that you don’t have to hassle for buying solid or liquid fuel. It’s also a lot easy to clean and no fuel smells that mix with the coffee aroma. They are also safer and good choice for an elderly person.

On the other hand, there is no timer on this machine. This means that you have to be around to remove the carafe when the water has risen. This isn’t a coffee machine you can forget about and come back to later.

Heating is slow on this machine. A way around this is to put boiled water into the carafe, but it still takes at least 10 min to brew.