flow by nozy coffee marks a long-awaited new chapter for NOZY COFFEE. Founded in Mishuku in 2010 by Masataka Nojo and his partners, the brand opened its second shop, THE ROASTERY BY NOZY COFFEE, in Harajuku's Cat Street in 2013 under a joint operation with TYSONS & COMPANY. The story of THE ROASTERY's inception is detailed elsewhere, but at a time when the terms 'Single Origin' and 'Third Wave' had yet to enter the mainstream, THE ROASTERY suddenly appeared on the then-underdeveloped Cat Street. Inside its industrial space, coffee beans were sold in front of a working roaster. The signature octagonal island counter—designed to encourage communication between the baristas and customers—was like a stage making the staff the main act. It quickly became a magnet for coffee lovers.

A sudden turning point arrived in December 2019 when NOZY COFFEE faced bankruptcy following setbacks in its expansion efforts. However, thanks to the continued operation under TYSONS & COMPANY, with all staff (except Nojo-san himself) transferring to the new management, THE ROASTERY survived as the sole remaining shop bearing the NOZY COFFEE name. (Nojo-san later rejoined the company in 2022). Coincidentally, that very month, an editor for Nikkei Business Magazine wrote about a certain 1400-year-old enterprise that had faced self-bankruptcy but was continued by a new corporation and its talented team. The article stated that while the company might 'fail' (if viewed as merely a container), the business itself does not cease as long as the core philosophy is protected, even if the container changes. This perfectly describes NOZY COFFEE. The corporate 'container' changed, but the team's founding principles—sourcing excellent beans through direct relationships with producers, visiting farms, and maintaining seamless control from roasting to brewing—remained absolutely constant. By continuing their mission as a bean seller that shares the collective passion through delicious coffee, the brand and the business live on.

NOZY COFFEE's move to Kyoto was serendipitous, triggered by a special location. Since opening Kacto in 2023, we began visiting Kyoto frequently, sensing the city's deepening coffee culture. When we were presented with the opportunity to take over a traditional Kyōmachiya (townhouse) in this specific spot, we immediately felt it was the perfect fit for NOZY COFFEE. The location—just two doors down from Kacto—benefits from all-day foot traffic. Nestled between the view of Higashiyama across the Kamo River and the seasonal beauty of the Takase River cherry trees, it is a deeply evocative space. We realized we could create a hub where people connect through coffee, from morning till night, experiencing the charm and potential of coffee in many forms. Although we initially considered preserving the traditional Machiya atmosphere, the building's condition led us to embrace a more modern approach. The shop's open, 'flow-through' design connects the Kamo and Takase Rivers, poised to generate the very flows and connections its name, flow, suggests. A major new step for NOZY COFFEE is starting right here.

TYSONS & COMPANY President｜Shimpei Terada

In January 2026, a new "flow" emerges on the banks of Kyoto's Kamo River. This space, housed within a traditionally styled building with a 280-year history, has been renovated to be a place where visitors can connect with coffee at their own pace and enjoy genuine communication with our baristas. We aim to create an environment where new ways to enjoy coffee naturally arise, all while harmonizing with the gentle temporal flow of Kyoto.

Over the long passage of time, the values surrounding coffee have changed dramatically: origins, varieties, processing methods, the relationships with the producers behind them, roasting techniques, extraction skills, and the evolution of equipment. Most importantly, how one enjoys a single cup has changed. NOZY COFFEE has always faced quality head-on, pursuing a convincing and authentic deliciousness, never settling for "good enough." flow is an extension of this pursuit.

Furthermore, flow will launch a new initiative. We present a personalized tasting set assembled on the spot by our baristas according to the customer's needs. There is no set script. Preferences, mood, the weather, the change of seasons—these elements serve as clues for a unique experience, a "journey" tailored just for that person. While it may feel like setting off on a trip without a fixed destination, you are guaranteed to encounter new landscapes of flavor you never knew existed. We believe these small challenges starting here will quietly shift the conventional wisdom of coffee once again.

As the symbolic coffee bean for flow, our buyer selected a coffee from the La Lomita farm in Mexico, where a 140-year-old Mother Tree still thrives. To touch the length of time that this tree has nurtured, the question of "What is coffee?" begins to quietly resonate. The vital force that continues to bear fruit across centuries. The deep-seated efforts of the producers and the memory of the land. Within the walls of a building that carries 280 years of history, this coffee will carve out a new chapter. The future revealed by the past. New value created by quiet strength. It is never loud, but you realize your heart has been moved. This is the presence flow strives to be.

Since its founding, NOZY COFFEE has aimed to deliver "sincere coffee." At flow, we reaffirm that conviction, quietly building new challenges one upon the other. Coffee is still deeply fascinating, and its potential is only set to expand further. If the small changes born from flow can eventually become a significant current, moving the future of coffee forward just a little, there would be no greater joy.

NOZY COFFEE Founder｜Masataka Nojo