Nestled between Kyoto and Osaka, Indigo Coffee Roasters represents the culmination of Masayasu Tachibana’s lifelong passion for coffee. In this interview, Masayasu shares his journey drawing inspiration from his grandmother’s traditional Japanese kissaten and bringing thoughtful roasting techniques to the bustling community of Hirakata City.

Please introduce Indigo Coffee Roasters. When did you start and what’s the meaning behind the name?

Indigo Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee café that opened in November 2024. I was actually a corporate employee before this, but starting this café was fulfilling a post-retirement dream of mine. While I didn’t have professional experience in the coffee industry, my grandmother used to run a ‘kissaten’ - a traditional Japanese coffee shop, which sparked my lifelong interest in coffee culture.

Our main target audience is working professionals in their 30s to 50s. I wanted to create a space where they could comfortably stop by during their commute. Being located near the station, I envisioned a place where people could briefly escape their busy lives and enjoy a quality cup of coffee.

You mentioned that you don’t have experience in the coffee industry. How did you come to start both a café and roastery?

I spent much of my childhood at my grandmother’s kissaten, and its cozy atmosphere left a deep impression on me. Those memories stayed with me, and while considering what to do after retirement, I rediscovered my passion for coffee.

Before launching this place, I attended a specialized café school where I learned roasting on a Diedrich machine and gained hands-on experience. I found the process of roasting beans and brewing coffee absolutely fascinating, which motivated me to study more deeply and commit to opening my own café.

What is the operating philosophy behind Indigo Coffee Roasters?

We recognize that our customers have both good and bad days, but we hope that drinking our coffee will brighten their mood, even if just a little. Our goal isn’t simply to sell coffee but to provide people with positive experiences.

How are you working to make this philosophy a reality?

We adjust our roasting techniques to accommodate the diverse preferences of our visitors. We strive to offer the best flavors through balanced roasting, believing that a delicious cup of coffee can change someone’s day for the better.

We also place great importance on communication with customers. We maintain friendly service and a warm atmosphere, taking care to ensure that visitors feel comfortable during their time with us.

I was looking at your Instagram before the interview and noticed regular events called ‘Three Star Coffee’. Can you tell us more about it?

Before opening Indigo Coffee Roasters, I gained experience by taking my self-roasted beans to a place called Three Star Coffee twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) to sell them. Rather than working as a guest barista, I rented space to sell my coffee. This experience was incredibly valuable in developing practical skills before opening my own shop.

Indigo Coffee Roasters is located in Hirakata City. Can you tell us more about the area?

Hirakata City is situated between Kyoto and Osaka, around 30 minute train ride from major cultural centers. The city has high foot traffic mainly because it’s on the Keihan railway line, connecting these two historic cities. The Yodo River flows nearby, creating a beautiful natural environment, and it’s also a densely populated residential area.

Are there other roasteries in this area? Can you recommend any places worth visiting?

There’s ‘About a Coffee’, which maintains the old kissaten style and specializes in just one blend. There’s also a roastery called ‘Gian’ near Kyoto’s Kuzuha Station. This place also preserves the traditional kissaten style while offering high-quality beans.

What coffee style does Indigo Coffee Roasters pursue?

While dark roasts are common in Japan, we don’t limit ourselves to any particular roast level. Instead, we choose roast profiles that highlight the unique characteristics of each origin. Our goal is for customers to experience diverse coffees and discover new flavors.

What roasting equipment do you use and why?

We currently use an ‘Easyster’ roaster. I’ve also used a Diedrich before, and while roasting times varied depending on heat levels, it was sufficient for achieving the flavors I wanted. I like the Easyster because it doesn’t emphasize any single flavor too strongly but instead allows all flavor notes to emerge clearly and harmoniously.

How did you discover Firescope?

When I was using the Diedrich, I used Artisan software, but when I purchased the Easyster from RND ESPRESSO, they recommended Firescope. After trying it out, I found it easy to operate with highly reliable data monitoring, so I’ve continued to use it.

What are the biggest advantages of Firescope?

First, temperature accuracy. When using Artisan, there were sometimes discrepancies between the displayed temperature and the actual temperature, but Firescope shows extremely accurate temperatures when used with the Easyster. This is crucial during the roasting process.

Second, the ease of installation and accessibility. Artisan can only run on specific laptops or devices, making installation sometimes challenging, but Firescope can be immediately executed on various devices without complicated setup, making it highly accessible.

That’s great to hear. Thank you so much. Last question, what type of roastery or coffee establishment would you recommend Firescope to?

I’d especially recommend it to people who aren’t particularly comfortable with computer operations. In Japan, many people aren’t skilled with computers and find Artisan difficult to use, but Firescope is intuitive and simple enough for anyone to use easily.