Mt. Rainier may be named after a mountain near Seattle, but it’s also a Japanese brand of coffee inspired by American brewing practices.
1. Sakura Memories
By far my favorite of all Mt. Rainier’s many coffee delicacies at convenience stores, Sakura Memories offers the literal taste of cherry blossom petals infused with the aroma of American-style café latte coffee.
If there was ever a fusion of East and West flavors in a coffee cup, it’s right here in this American-Japanese hybrid coffee beverage that offers a sweet, refreshing taste I can only liken to some combination of roses and coconut (in all honesty though, it’s difficult to describe the unique flavor of cherry blossoms!).
Sakura Memories is only available during Spring time in Japan, so you’ll typically find them in stores between February–April.
2. Roast Almond Carnival
I was seriously debating whether I should put this one in the number one spot (like I did in this article) because Roast Almond Carnival is quite literally everything I hope for in an iced coffee.
Strong, sweet, and toasty, this Halloween special offers a powerful shot of coffee combined with a sweet caramel-like taste and a roast almond aftertaste that teleports your soul in front of a warm fireplace in a wooden cabin in the middle of a snowy Canadian forest (or something like that).
3. Deep Espresso
This one is for the straight shooters, the ones looking for a “no-nonsense” coffee that can wake them the hell up but still be delicious enough to not give them the black coffee “ick.”
Mt. Rainier’s Deep Espresso consists of a small amount of milk and sugar and two shots of coffee, perfect for people like me who love a strong hit of caffeine at any time during the day.
I thoroughly enjoyed sipping on this bad boy during my bullet train trip across prefectures.
4. Caramel Brulé
An autumn special with a nice toasty finish is the Caramel Brulé café latte which has a milder coffee taste with a greater emphasis on the sweet, maple-like flavor of caramel syrup.
Personally, I much prefer the Roast Almond Carnival as this one just tastes like a watered-down version of its Halloween special counterpart, but I suppose it would suit those who prefer more “tame” flavors.
5. No Sugar Coffee
You already know why this is last, and yes, it’s because it contains no sugar. Regardless, if you’re watching your weight or are trying to avoid a sugar crash, Mt. Rainier’s No Sugar Coffee may be the best solution for you!
I found it to be a great substitute for my usual sweet coffee beverages on a particular day when I had a little too many sugary treats.
This No Sugar Coffee drink still had the subtle sweetness of milk but was still plain enough to give me a caffeine hit to boost my work productivity without causing me to feel lethargic midway.
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!