Japan has always been known for its emphasis on convenience, so it’s no wonder these cheap and convenient coffee cans took off so well.
A plethora of vending machines and countless convenience stores make Japan one of the most convenient places to live on Earth. Within these faculties of convenience is the famous Japanese coffee cans, a phenomenon responsible for keeping the nation caffeinated 24/7. If you’re a lover of canned coffee or are intrigued by the concept, then this article is for you!
Here, I’ll be reviewing my top 5 favorite Japanese coffee cans to help you find your perfect blend.
5 – BOSS Rainbow Mountain Blend
The Suntory BOSS Rainbow Mountain Blend flavor may be at the bottom of this list, but in terms of the can’s design aesthetic, it takes the top. A beautiful rainbow color scheme that is true to its name, this coffee can is gorgeous inside and out. Sourcing its beans from Guatemala, the home of the Rainbow Mountains of South America, this flavor is known for its strong and sweet taste with a hint of acidity.
Personally, I find this flavor quite delicious and somewhat of a “guilty pleasure.” The Rainbow Mountain Blend is higher in calories than most BOSS coffee cans, and that is because of its higher milk and sugar content. When it comes to enjoying a lazy Sunday afternoon, I highly recommend this blend, but for getting some serious work done, I prefer something more potent and less creamy.
Score: 3/5
4 – GEORGIA Mild Blend
Coca-Cola Japan established GEORGIA in 1975, named after the home state of Coca-Cola. These cans are often priced somewhere between BOSS and SANGARIA’s prices for a happy medium. The balanced Emerald Mountain blend and the sweet and creamy MAX COFFEE blend are among their range.
My personal favorite of the GEORGIA range is the GEORGIA Mild blend. This coffee can is quite rare to find in Japanese vending machines and convenience stores, but it is a hidden gem. The texture incorporates a combination of rich aromatic coffee and smooth flat milk, resulting in a taste that works well as a leisurely beverage or a workhorse supplement.
Score: 3.5/5
3 – SANGARIA Quality Coffee
A lesser-known brand on the Japanese canned coffee market is SANGARIA. Despite being overshadowed by Suntory’s BOSS coffee series, SANGARIA remains a strong competitor in the market and offers a different coffee sipping experience. Their coffees are lower in calories than their rival company but always deliver on strength and boldness.
I’ve always been a fan of SANGARIA coffee and initially liked the brand because of its lower prices. If you’re anything like me, you need to be in a certain mood to consume milky coffees. Fortunately, SANGARIA’s Quality Coffee cans are light on the milk and heavy on the coffee, allowing me to get my caffeine hit without the consequences, no matter how my stomach is feeling.
Score: 4/5
2 – BOSS Zeitaku Bito
Suntory’s BOSS Zeitaku Bito literally means “luxury fine sugar” and offers a lower sugar alternative to their range. Denoted by its iconic gold-colored can, this is definitely one of my “go-to” coffee cans for getting work done. As a writer, I need all the caffeine I can get without compromising my health. Of course, I also need a certain degree of milk in order to bear the taste, as I’m not much of a black coffee guy.
The BOSS Zeitaku Bito takes away 50% of the sugar content found in your typical coffee can for a healthier hit of caffeine without the sugar crash. Great for tackling writer’s blocks and putting the pedal on your work projects and university assignments, I don’t know where I’d be today without this golden caffeinated elixir!
Score: 4.5/5
1 – PREMIUM BOSS
Taking the top spot on this list of Japan’s best coffee cans is the PREMIUM BOSS blend. At first glance, you already know this blend will be something special. The beautiful contrast between the deep blue shades and the rich golden letters really encapsulates what the PREMIUM BOSS blend is all about.
This blue and gold coffee can deliver on all fronts, offering a smooth and creamy taste that is potent enough to keep you interested without giving you stomach cramps. The milky bliss of the PREMIUM BOSS blend is met with a rich shot of coffee that gives you the kick you need to accomplish your tasks for the day.
All I can say is that there has never been a coffee can as versatile and optimally balanced as PREMIUM BOSS. No matter what your schedule looks like and no matter how you’re feeling at any given moment, a PREMIUM BOSS coffee can does the job to lift your spirits and place you in an awesome mood!
Score: 5/5
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!
