This month’s #KurasuPartnerRoaster is AKITO COFFEE, based in Kofu, Yamanashi. Surrounded by mountains and nature, they currently operate two locations. Inspired by a vision and desire to appreciate the abundant beauty of everyday life, Owner Akito-san renewed their flagship roastery in March this year as Tane, a roastery and café. Alongside carefully crafted coffee, Tane offers freshly baked bread, seasonal vegetables, and fruit from local producers. The aim is to create a place where people can enjoy the region’s flavors and connect with its community. By working closely with organic and fruit farmers, AKITO COFFEE shares the blessings of Yamanashi’s land with everyone who visits.

For Akito-san, the starting point of every cup is the bean’s origin. “Roasting technique matters, of course,” he says, “but the final flavor depends heavily on the coffee’s inherent character.” He has a special love for traditional Colombian varieties such as Caturra, Colombia, and Castillo—especially when they’re meticulously produced through the washed process. His goal is to bring out their beauty as purely as possible, which is why he roasts with a Loring Smart Roaster, known for its clean, precise profiles.

“The people growing coffee at high altitudes are literally risking their lives—their produce is the crystallization of their hard work,” Akito-san reflects. “By continuing to buy these coffees, we help protect them.” New, high-scoring varieties might encourage farmers to replace older trees, and while that’s not inherently wrong, it raises a question: What kind of coffee do we want to preserve for the future? And the choice we make there influence the direction producers take. For Akito-san, the same principle applies beyond coffee—to vegetables, fruit, wine, and all agricultural products.

Looking ahead, Akito-san’s focus is not on business expansion, but on making life in Kofu more fulfilling—for himself, his team, and the local community. His hope is that AKITO COFFEE becomes a model others can point to and say, “What they’re doing here is truly special.” And perhaps that one cup will add a touch of abundance to your own daily life—a taste shaped by the warmth of Yamanashi’s nature and its people.