A Cup for Hokkaido Winters | Enjoying Coffee That Warms You Even at -20 Degrees Celsius
A Cup to Embrace Hokkaido's Winter
Outside the window is a world of silver. The temperature is minus 20 degrees Celsius.
Winter in Higashikawa Town, Hokkaido, is unimaginably harsh for those from Honshu. Your breath instantly turns white, your eyelashes frost over, and the frigid air stings your cheeks when you step outside.
But precisely because winter is so severe, the warmth a cup of coffee brings is truly exceptional.
The Value of "Warmth" Taught by the Cold
When I lived in Tokyo, coffee was just a "given."
A 100-yen coffee from a convenience store, a latte ordered casually at a cafe, instant coffee gulped down during work. Convenient, easy, always available. But there was no special emotion attached to it.
After moving to Higashikawa Town, that feeling completely changed.
On a minus 20-degree morning, I turn on the kettle with trembling hands. While waiting for the water to boil, I see the Daisetsuzan mountain range illuminated by the morning sun outside the window. I pour hot water into a French press and patiently wait four minutes for the coffee to brew.
And then, finally, the first sip.
As I cup the mug with both hands, its warmth spreads from my fingertips to the core of my body. The aroma of coffee fills my nose, and with one sip, my chilled body slowly awakens.
The happiness of that moment is beyond words.
It is because of the cold that I understand the value of warmth. It is because of the inconvenience that I can truly appreciate a cup of coffee. Hokkaido's winter teaches us these simple truths.
Mellow Flavor Born from Daisetsuzan's Meltwater
One reason coffee in Higashikawa Town is delicious is the water.
This town has no public water supply. Every household uses natural underground water from Daisetsuzan. Filtered through volcanic rock layers over tens of thousands of years, the water is soft and has an exquisite mineral balance.
This soft water brings out the mellow and rich flavor of coffee.
In winter, Daisetsuzan is covered in deep snow. That snow melts in spring, travels underground, and eventually flows from our taps. The coffee we brew is abundant with the blessings of Daisetsuzan.
At Taisetsu Coffee, we recommend brewing with a French press to maximize the goodness of this natural water. A French press, which doesn't use paper filters, extracts the coffee oils as they are, creating a mellow and rich flavor.
Recommended Brewing Method:
- Prepare 15g of medium-ground beans.
- Pour 250ml of 90-degree Celsius water.
- Steep patiently for 4 minutes.
- Slowly press down the plunger.
- Pour into a warmed cup and enjoy immediately.
With just these steps, you can create a cup that rivals any cafe.
Winter Morning Routine
My winter mornings always start with the same routine.
6:30 — Wake up. It's hard to get out of bed. But coffee is waiting.
6:35 — To the kitchen. Turn on the kettle. Grind the beans. This aroma instantly wakes me up.
6:40 — Pour hot water into the French press. Set the timer for 4 minutes. Meanwhile, gaze out the window.
6:44 — Press down the plunger. Pour into the cup. Cup it with both hands.
6:45 — The first sip. A feeling of warmth from the core of my body. I feel like I can face another day.
It's this routine that helps me get through minus 20-degree mornings. It's no exaggeration to say that coffee is what sustains me through winter.
The Synergy of Snowscapes and Coffee
The winter scenery of Higashikawa Town is breathtakingly beautiful.
Expansive snowfields, the white peaks of Daisetsuzan against the blue sky, the shimmering rime ice on the trees. Drinking coffee while gazing at this view is a luxury that no high-end cafe can beat.
Especially recommended is a clear morning.
The morning sun illuminates the snowfield, and diamond dust sparkles in the air. Gazing at this scene through the window, you take a sip of warm coffee. In the silence, only the sound of coffee being sipped resonates.
Could there be any greater luxury?
If you're taking photos, try to capture the coffee cup and the snowscape together. The steaming cup and the white, silver world in the background. It's sure to be an Instagram-worthy shot.
Sweets That Pair Well with Winter Coffee
Sweet treats pair wonderfully with warm coffee.
For Hokkaido's winter, butter sand cookies are highly recommended. The rich butter cream, crisp cookies, and the sweet-sourness of raisins. They match perfectly with the bitterness of coffee.
You also can't miss Kihana from local Asahikawa. The fragrant almonds and sweet white chocolate make your coffee break special.
And perhaps surprisingly, anko (sweet bean paste) also goes well with coffee. The combination of Japanese sweets and coffee is familiar to the Japanese palate and offers a comforting taste. Please try it with a daifuku (mochi filled with anko) sold at Higashikawa's Michi-no-Eki.
A Taste of Hokkaido Winter, Anywhere You Are
"Can I only enjoy this taste if I go to Hokkaido?"
Not at all.
At Taisetsu Coffee, we deliver freshly roasted beans nationwide. Beans carefully roasted in Higashikawa's roastery are sent to your home while maintaining their freshness.
Especially in winter, a dark roast blend is recommended. With a solid body and subtle bitterness. Drinking it on a cold morning will warm you to your core.
Also popular for those who want an easy option are our photographic drip bags. The packaging, designed with Hokkaido's wildlife, is visually appealing and makes a delightful gift.
How about a coffee time where you gaze at illustrations of Hokkaido foxes and long-tailed tits, dreaming of Hokkaido's winter?
Because It's Winter, Brew Coffee with Care
In your busy daily life, do you "gulp down" coffee?
Winter is a season to pause.
The cold reduces outdoor activities, increasing time spent at home. Instead of just consuming that time, why not savor it carefully?
Enjoy the aroma of grinding beans. Listen to the sound of pouring hot water. Gaze at the scenery outside the window during the four minutes of extraction. And then, drink sip by sip, savoring every moment.
Even a mere 15-minute coffee break, if spent mindfully, can be a soul-satisfying experience.
Hokkaido's winter is harsh. But precisely because of that, a single cup of coffee becomes special.
This winter, why not spend it slowly, with coffee?
Taisetsu Coffee
Delivering nationwide from Higashikawa Town, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido.
Visit our online shop here
🌍 ENGLISH SUMMARY Savoring Coffee in Hokkaido's Minus 20°C Winter When temperatures plunge to -20°C, Hokkaido's harsh winter becomes the perfect excuse to slow down and truly appreciate a cup of coffee. This article explores how the cold season transforms coffee drinking from a quick habit into a mindful ritual. Why winter is the best time for coffee: • More time indoors means more time to savor each cup • The ritual of grinding beans, listening to water pour, waiting 4 minutes • Watching snow fall outside while warming your hands on a hot mug • Even just 15 minutes of mindful coffee time fills the soul Hokkaido winters are tough—but that's exactly why a single cup of coffee becomes something special. This year, why not slow down and enjoy coffee together with the season? TAISETSU Coffee ships nationwide from Higashikawa, Hokkaido. Visit our online shop: https://taisetsucoffee.com