Tatsuki's Story
Tatsuki ("Tats"), the owner of TCoffee in Okinawa, began his coffee journey far from the world of specialty coffee: working as a barista at Starbucks. While his store was popular and its staff respected, his everyday reality was mass-producing sweet, syrup-heavy drinks and Frappuccinos. At the time, specialty coffee barely existed in Japan.
That First Cup...
But like so many others, a single sip of a specialty latte shifted everything for him—it was smooth, naturally sweet without sugar, and carried a complex, fruity aftertaste unlike anything he had ever experienced.
Fascinated by this new world, Tats began searching for – and finding – other examples of sophisticated specialty coffees, eventually falling in love with light-roast, tea-like pour-overs featuring vibrant berry and tropical notes.
Shifting from Corporate to Craft
Tats soon left his corporate coffee job and began attending coffee seminars around Japan, seeking out deeper knowledge of the business in preparation for opening his own specialty coffee bar. Tats initially didn't plan to roast, wanting to avoid a massive, expensive commercial setup. However, after discovering that his espresso machine distributor, aptly named R&D Espresso, also carried Aillio roasters, he decided to give the Bullet a try.
The accessible price tag and gas-free setup made the initial decision easy, but the machine quickly proved to be far more than a budget-friendly compromise. The Bullet offered the intuitive, fine data control he needed to truly understand his coffees, while acting as a total workhorse behind the bar—churning out volumes of coffee that completely belied its compact footprint. It was a perfect match for his new workflow.
Winning Hearts and Tastebuds
In Japan, bitter, dark roasts remain the mainstream, often consumed purely for caffeine and masked with heavy milk and sugar. To bridge this gap in coffee awareness, Tats offers two distinct espresso options at his shop: a vibrant light roast and a comforting medium-dark roast.
While locals frequently default to the darker roast, Tats uses his platform to introduce them to the complexity of light roasts. Located in central Okinawa, his shop caters to a diverse crowd, including a large community of local American residents eager to explore independent specialty coffee.
An Okinawan Hub
Alongside his custom roasts, the shop serves local matcha and pastries, creating a thriving neighborhood hub. Tats opens his doors every day with a simple, powerful purpose: to provide a welcoming space where people can slow down, connect, and enjoy their daily lives over a truly exceptional cup of coffee.