Reddit mentions of UCC Gold Special Drip Coffee - Special Blend, 10 x 0.3 oz. (8g) Single-Use Personal Drip Coffee Packets

I live in Tokyo and have recently gotten into exploring all the coffee options available here. These are just a few of my observations and opinions, so take them with a grain of salt.

First, if you are making coffee at home, more than likely it will be pour over. Homes in Japan are notoriously low on space, and drip coffee/espresso machines can take up valuable counter space. Only the dedicated will have bulky machines for their daily grind. A popular product here rather than k-cups are these single pour-over packets, that you can put over a coffee cup like this. Given that pour over requires a specific technique, a Japanese palette will gravitate towards this particular flavor rather than what you would get from a drip coffee machine. Everyday grocery stores here often carry the V60 or kalita pour over drippers along with their filters, so it is relatively easy to get into for your average consumer.

Japanese also have a strong food culture and that can carry itself over to coffee. The food quality here can be incredible (there is bad food here, no doubt) because people demand it. Portions are also significantly smaller and more expensive than what you would get in the States or Europe, and so if you are going to spend so much money on food and drinks, you will want it to be delicious. A good restaurant or cafe will quickly develop a following, and if popular enough, end up on a TV show (Japanese terrestrial TV is inundated with food programs). If you make good food or drink, people will come to your store. Also, cute things. Have you seen some of the latte art that comes out of Japan? It's madness, but putting something cute into coffee is a total boon for your business. Japanese put a strong premium on high quality products, and that includes coffee in all its forms.

Tea and coffee culture also play into the business culture here, so there's a healthy appetite for both. Business meetings almost always start with some green tea, and home visits also begin with tea being served. Couple that with the long working hours and commutes, coffee might be a more attractive alternative to green tea, which might not be as strong. Plus international clients might prefer coffee to green tea, which can be an acquired taste for those not used to it.

Finally coffee has become more trendy as time has gone on, and Japan is no exception when it comes to adopting these new trends. I was surprised just doing a cursory search for roasters and cafes just how many exist near where I live, which is not an especially popular place to live. People in the city love coffee, and there's plenty of opportunities here for roasters and baristas to experiment and develop delicious coffee.