Singapore’s Beloved Specialty Coffee Brand ALCHEMIST Makes Its Japan Debut – First Store Opens in Aoyama on June 24!

Singapore-born specialty coffee brand ALCHEMIST is finally making its way to Japan! On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the highly anticipated Aoyama store will officially open its doors in Tokyo. We had the chance to attend an exclusive media preview ahead of the grand opening.

What is ALCHEMIST?

Founded in 2016 by Will Leow, ALCHEMIST began as a humble 4-square-meter coffee stand in the heart of Singapore’s business district. Since then, it has grown into one of Singapore’s leading specialty coffee brands with 11 locations across the country—and now, it’s bringing its high-quality coffee philosophy to Japan for the first time.

Driven by the belief that “everyone, everywhere, should be able to enjoy great coffee,” ALCHEMIST is dedicated to uncovering the true essence of coffee, with a focus on sweetness, cleanliness, and flavor.

Treating coffee as a seasonal fruit, the team curates the best beans of the moment, offering 80–100 single-origin varieties annually and over 10 selections in-store at any given time—making every visit a new experience.

ALCHEMIST also prioritizes sustainable relationships with producers and traders, hand-selecting green coffee through a carefully considered supply chain that reflects their discerning standards.

Baristas as Artisans

At ALCHEMIST, baristas are more than just people who brew coffee—they are craftspeople trained through an in-house system that covers everything from brewing and roasting techniques to origin-specific growing and transportation knowledge.

By mastering both theory and practice, baristas can faithfully express ALCHEMIST’s signature characteristics of sweetness, clarity, and vibrant flavor in every cup.

Japan’s First Store Opens in Aoyama

The first-ever ALCHEMIST store in Japan opens in Aoyama, nestled between Shibuya and Omotesando—an accessible and stylish neighborhood that mirrors the vibe of the brand’s Orchard Road flagship in Singapore.

The interior is simple yet warm and inviting.

Interestingly, there are no machines placed on the bar counter—this thoughtful design allows baristas and customers to connect more naturally.


Upstairs, the second floor is filled with lush greenery, creating a calm and beautiful space you’d never expect in the heart of the city. The seating is arranged around the greenery, allowing guests to relax and enjoy their coffee while taking in the view of the plants.

At the media preview, founder Will Leow shared his passion for flavor, especially sweetness, the concept behind store-specific design, and his vision for raising the bar for baristas as professional coffee artisans.

Minimal Menu, Maximum Quality

ALCHEMIST keeps its menu refreshingly simple to focus purely on seasonal coffee. Their offerings include:

Each available both hot and iced.

You’ll also find Cascara tea made from coffee cherry husks and hot/iced chocolate drinks.

At the preview, we tried the ICED BLACK (Americano) brewed with LUMOS—a fruity, floral espresso bean with a crisp and refreshing flavor.

The pastries served alongside the coffee are from Gontran Cherrier.

It paired beautifully with a Pain au Chocolat from renowned pâtissier Gontran Cherrier. The coffee and pastry pairing is highly recommended!

Take ALCHEMIST Home

ALCHEMIST also offers a thoughtfully curated retail line so you can enjoy their coffee at home. From drip bags to espresso capsules and cascara tea, there’s something for every kind of coffee lover.

You’ll also find a selection of signature blends and single-origin beans, which you can smell and sample before purchasing. Not sure which to choose? Ask a barista—they’re highly knowledgeable and happy to help you find your perfect match.

These make wonderful gifts, too!

A Space to Truly Savor Coffee

With its carefully designed interior, minimalist menu, and dedication to quality, ALCHEMIST Aoyama is a space where you can truly appreciate the beauty of coffee. Starting in Aoyama and soon expanding to Asakusa on June 30, the brand’s Japan journey is just beginning—and we can’t wait to see where it goes from here.