With its first storefront, Hiyori Coffee is transforming years of pop-ups, competition wins and small-batch roasting into a brick-and-mortar business.
Looking for a quiet place to enter a caffeinated version of zen mode? Hiyori Coffee is that spot. A place where customers are barred from using their laptops to focus on one thing — the cup in front of you.
At the end of May, Hiyori Coffee quietly opened its first cafe at 279 E 6th Ave., transforming years of pop-ups, competition wins and small-batch roasting into a space designed around calm, conversation and craftsmanship.
Hiyori Coffee is a Vancouver-based, Japanese-style roaster founded by Shinya Furue. Through exclusive releases and specialty in brewing, he has gained a cult following.
His new space delivers an experience of stepping into a minimalist cafe where the aroma of freshly roasted coffee mingles with soft music and carefully curated Japanese details.
The word “hiyori” (日和) means good weather, or favourable conditions, in Japanese. For Furue, it represents the perfect day to enjoy a cup of coffee. This month features a Costa Rican natural coffee with fruity notes and chocolate-like sweetness. Other upcoming releases are made with Ethiopian beans, which are light-bodied with floral scents.
“We wanted to create a place where people can slow down and enjoy the experience,” Furue says. “Coffee is different every time. The flavour, texture and aroma all tell a story.”
In the seating area, a sign instructs customers to keep their feet off a wooden ledge, and to refrain from using their laptops.
Coffee comes in handmade cups from Japan, each shaped, textured and flawed in its own way. The clay gives a sense of warmth in the hands, making a basic beverage more literal and intentional.
“We only bring in small quantities,” Furue adds. “Every time customers visit, there’s a chance they’ll discover something different.”
Coffee shop founder an AeroPress champion
The space is designed in the same spirit — more like a modern Japanese tea house than a traditional Vancouver cafe. Hiyori roasts small batches of coffee, and concentrates on the beans that have unique flavour profiles. The menu is subject to change as supplies are limited.
For first-time specialty coffee drinkers, a team member asks about your tastes and then offers a recommendation. Questions about sweetness, acidity and brewing style help match people with a coffee that suits their taste.
At the core of this experience is AeroPress Coffee.
Furue won the 2023 Canadian AeroPress Championship, a milestone that pushed Hiyori from local pop-ups into Vancouver’s specialty coffee scene. His partner, Eri Horie, captured the 2024 Dose Coffee AeroPress Championship Regional Qualifier title, while Furue secured third place at the 2025 Canadian Nationals.
During a recent visit, Hiyori’s Colombian AeroPress showcased exactly why the brewing method has earned such devoted fans. Overall, the cup was very clear, with a rich, nuanced taste that stood out from a standard espresso. While espresso emphasizes body and texture, Furue describes AeroPress coffee as a method that highlights flavour and richness.
It’s not the end of the competitive journey either. After helping spark the life of the cafe, Furue will head back on the competitive circuit and represent Hiyori in future AeroPress competitions.
Open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hiyori Coffee carries coffee tools and brewing equipment with Japanese handcrafted items, in addition to a changing coffee menu.
With countless cafes designed to get busy, Hiyori provides a rare opportunity to take a break, enjoy a handcrafted cup with coffee worth slowing down for.
Dev Patel is a master’s student at UBC’s school of journalism and is a summer intern at Vancouver Is Awesome.