The museum was established to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the UCC company in 1987.
The collection includes rare, antique European coffee brewing equipment dating back centuries.
Visitors can receive a 'Coffee Expert' certification card after completing a short quiz within the museum.
The museum exhibits show the physical evolution of the coffee cherry from plant to final cup.
Interactive displays allow visitors to smell various coffee bean aromas to distinguish between different roast profiles.
The UCC Coffee Museum is the only museum in the world exclusively dedicated to the comprehensive history and culture of coffee. Located in Kobe, the site was established by the UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., a major Japanese coffee manufacturer. The museum spans six zones that detail the journey of coffee from cultivation and botanical classification to roasting and extraction techniques. Visitors can observe a wide array of historical brewing apparatuses, antique grinders, and various coffee bean samples. A key feature is the roasting room, where the chemical transformation of coffee beans is explained through exhibits. The museum also provides information on the environmental and social aspects of global coffee production. Guests are invited to participate in coffee tasting sessions to differentiate between varieties and brewing methods. The building's architecture reflects a distinct structural style intended to evoke the origins of coffee production.
The large, iconic coffee bean sculpture located near the main entrance.
Take the quiz at the end of the tour to earn your Coffee Expert certification.
Spend extra time in the sensory zone to practice identifying different coffee roasting levels by scent.
Check the museum's official website for current specialty exhibition themes before your visit.
Assuming all exhibits are interactive; many sections are focused on historical viewing and reading.
Closed on Mondays. If Monday is a national holiday, the museum is typically closed the following Tuesday.
