Union

The only Kissaten equipment specialty store on Kappabashi Dougu Street

Established in 1962, “Union” is the only specialty store on Kappabashi Dougu Street—an area known for its concentration of cooking and kitchenware shops—that focuses exclusively on Kissaten supplies. In addition to coffee equipment such as siphons, drippers, grinders, and roasters, the store offers a wide selection of cups, pots, and cutlery, making it easy to find everything needed when opening a café or Kissaten. Alongside products from well-known manufacturers, “Union” also offers its own original items. From professional-grade Kissaten tools to coffee goods for home use, the knowledgeable staff provide careful advice tailored to each customer’s needs.

Japanese-style coffee equipment that lets you experience the “Kissaten style” is a bestseller

Coffee equipment popular with overseas visitors includes siphons and drippers, which are commonly used in traditional Japanese Kissaten.

The siphon, invented in Germany in 1830, is a brewing device that moves hot water using air pressure generated by heating the boiler, extracting the coffee in the process. The glass type often seen in cafés allows you to watch the coffee move, making it a visually engaging brewing method.

The dripper, invented in Germany in 1908 for the “drip-style” brewing method, is now mainly used with paper filters. When using a dripper, many aspects can be customized to personal preference, such as the pouring technique and the amount of coffee grounds. Although this flexibility can sometimes cause variation in the brew, it has long been popular in Japan, where attention to detail in coffee preparation is highly valued.

While espresso machines are mainstream in Europe, the Japanese style of carefully brewing coffee with a siphon or dripper—known as the “Kissaten style”—represents Japan’s café culture. Today, this style attracts attention from around the world, and it is not uncommon for people to visit stores seeking the same equipment after experiencing coffee in a Japanese Kissaten.

Spotlight on masterfully crafted drip pots made by Japanese artisans

Essential for pouring hot water onto a dripper in a steady rhythm is the drip pot, characterized by its slender spout. It is one of the key items that support the Kissaten style of coffee brewing. At “Union,” drip pots from the long-established manufacturer TAKAHIRO, based in Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture—a region famous for metalworking—are available. TAKAHIRO is said to be the world’s first maker of drip pots, and its extremely fine spouts, shaped by skilled craftsmanship, are rare to find elsewhere. The ability to precisely control the flow of hot water is believed to bring the brew closer to the ideal flavor.

Try and compare equipment on the spot before choosing

One of the attractions of “Union” is the ability to try selected items using in-store samples and check their usability before purchasing. For example, customers can put beans into a coffee grinder to test the grinding feel, or fill a drip pot with water to try the pouring action. Another distinctive feature of this specialty store is the opportunity to consult knowledgeable staff from a professional perspective when choosing tools. If an item catches your interest, feel free to ask the staff. By selecting tools while comparing their feel and differences, you are likely to develop a stronger attachment to the equipment you choose.