Matayoshi Coffee Farm in northern Okinawa serves its own coffee by the cup. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes)
Japan may be the world’s third largest importer of coffee beans, but a handful of farms on Okinawa are capitalizing on the islands’ rich soil, subtropical climate and favorable temperatures to make a dent in that record.
The lush Yanbaru region on the northern part of the island is home to several coffee growers, among them the Matayoshi Coffee Farm, a boutique, single-origin coffee plantation where visitors can experience coffee culture firsthand.
The Matayoshi family turned the 10-year-old rose plantation from pesticide-intense flower cultivation to an environmentally conscious, 24.5-acre organic fruit and coffee farm, said Takuyuki Matayoshi, 38, owner of Matayoshi Coffee Farm by phone July 22.
The farm endured typhoons and salt intrusion and through its transformation it has capitalized on Japan’s rising coffee consumption and combined it with tourism.
Coffee trees grow on Okinawa at Matayoshi Coffee Farm, July 18, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes)
From the initial 100 coffee trees planted in 2014, the farm has grown to 2,000. In 2016, it opened a cafe, where visitors may sip freshly brewed coffee from Okinawa and around the world.
During harvest season between November and April, guests may also experience the complex art of coffee cultivation firsthand. For 3,000 yen, or $20.17, you may pick and process the beans, roast and grind them and brew your own cup of coffee.
A fresh-brewed cup of Matayoshi’s finest without the added labor will set you back 2,500 yen. The farm grows its coffee primarily for its cafe and the visitor experience, according to Matayoshi during the phone conversation.
“Coffee is an agricultural product, and there are people who make it. Nothing makes us happier than when people come to our farm and understand that consuming coffee supports the producers,” Matayoshi wrote by email July 20.
After a tour of the farm, I tried a cup of Matayoshi’s Okinawa coffee and for another 1,000 yen a mango smoothie.
A worker empties a roaster at Matayoshi Coffee Farm on Okinawa, July 17, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes)
As an avid coffee consumer, I was thoroughly pleased with the delicate aroma emanating from the cup. It delivered clear flavors with fruity notes while balancing acidity and bitterness.
The mango smoothly juxtaposed the coffee, bringing bold flavor while not being overwhelmingly sweet.
Once finished, I was invited by the staff to see the selection and roasting process, in which they carefully hand-selected every bean.
The farm is a kind of resort, with cottages available for overnight stays, where visitors may explore a vibrant landscape. Outdoor activities include hiking, kayaking, camping, and ATV riding.
A worker inspects coffee beans for quality at Matayoshi Coffee Farm on Okinawa, July 17, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes)
A worker checks the coffee beans' aroma for quality at Matayoshi Coffee Farm on Okinawa, July 17, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes)
On the QT
Directions: GPS coordinates: N 26.609947, E 128.143898. Drive north on Route 58 and turn right on Route 14, stay on 14 until it merges with Route 331 and takes you to Matayoshi Coffee Farm. 718-28 Gesashi, Higashi, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-1205
Times: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Costs: Admission to explore the coffee farm is 550 yen per person; during harvest season, the coffee picking experience is 3,000 yen per person.
Parking: Free
Food: Matayoshi Coffee Farm Cafe offers a wide selection of food and sweets priced between 750 and 1,100 yen. Coffee and juice are 150 to 2,500 yen.
Information: Phone: 0980-43-2838; Online: matayoshicoffee.jp
