Teru Harase
Espresso coffee specialist and café founder
I grew up in Tochigi ken and became a passionate rugby player in my teens. After graduating from university, I went to New Zealand to develop my rugby skills and learn English. After winning a club rugby championship in Auckland, I started developing an active interest in boxing. At the same time, I discovered espresso coffee and trained as a barista, learning from one of NZ’s best coffee experts. I worked as a barista and manager in several local cafes in Auckland, before starting to develop cafes for clients.
I opened my first cafe in 2007.
In late 2012 I returned to Japan as a business partner and general manager of a NZ-based coffee roasting company, and launched the Japanese branch office, including a new cafe and roastery. I have been privileged to contribute to the development of quality espresso cafes in the Kiyosumi Shirakawa area of Tokyo. Since 2015, I have been offering cafe consulting services while launching a new café together with my New Zealand wife and business partner.
I have been fortunate to travel extensively in Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania in search of the best coffee and cafe-style food, and look forward to sharing my experiences with you.
Kim Harase
Coffee lover, foodie and café founder
I was born in San Jose, California, grew up in Sweden and eventually settled in New Zealand after visiting the place and falling in love with the country and its people.
Travel has always been a large part of my life. As international Director of Marketing of the largest private education group in NZ for 18 years. I have been privileged to visit many corners of the world and have had the opportunity to enjoy the best coffee, food and wine on offer. In my spare time, I have travelled in search of new experiences, including hiking, horse trekking and kayaking.
iki Espresso is the culmination of an ambition Teru and I have to offer the very best coffee, food and hospitality services in Japan.
We look forward to meeting you!
Masako Nakatsuka
Assistant General Manager
After graduating from university, I worked in restaurants in Tokyo, Hyogo and Osaka for about 6 years.
I visited iki Espresso and and realised I had found a place where perfect coffee is served.
My goal is to roast and serve great coffee, and to help others follow their passion for coffee.
Kei Komoriya
EXECUTIVE CHEF
I was born in Tokyo and studied culinary arts after high school as my goal was to become a French chef. After gaining experience at restaurants in Kojimachi, Aoyama and Shibuya, my sibling invited me to join the hotel industry.
My career as a hotel chef gave me the opportunity to work at the Yokohama Bay Sheraton, ANA Hotel Tokyo, the Westin Hotel, Four Seasons and the Intercontinental. While I mainly specialised in French and Italian cuisine, I also had the opportunity to be in charge of breakfasts and enjoyed serving morning dishes using fresh ingredients.
I have always been a coffee lover and it is my passion for great coffee and beautiful food that made me approach iki.
I am delighted to be part of the iki team and look forward to creating delicious food for you and your clients.
Akihiro Suzuki
ROASTER
Born in Tokyo in 1980.
I dreamed of becoming a barista in my late twenties and started my coffee career at a major cafe franchise.
I participated in barista and coffee roasting workshops while deepening my knowledge of the hospitality service industry.
It’s great to be at iki!
Aoi Miyashita
PASTRY CHEF
After graduating from a nutrition college and confectionery school, I worked at a cafe.
However, I wanted to learn more about pastries, confectionery and coffee, so I approached iki Espresso and joined the team.
I will do my very best to make sweets that will delight our customers!
Hana Ijuin
CAFE MANAGER
After working as a cafe baker in New Zealand for a year, I wanted to continue to develop my pastry-making skills in a similar environment.
At iki, I can pursue my passion for delicious cabinet food while having fun.
Please let us know what you think about our treats!
Fukushi Sato
CHEF
Born in 1994. Born in Yamagata Prefecture.
After graduating from culinary school, worked at a French restaurant in Tokyo for 5 years and at a sweets store in Atami for 2 years. She would like to gain a lot of experience with the goal of owning her own restaurant in the future.
Shogo Udagawa
CHEF
Born in Tokyo in 1999.
After graduating from culinary school, he started working at iki ESPRESSO.
He decided to work at iki ESPRESSO because he was originally interested in working in a café and also to realize his future dream.
I will do my best to make each dish carefully and to please our customers!
Fubuki Otake
BARISTA
I was born in Fukushima. After graduating from high school, I trained as a chef and worked at Japanese, Italian and French restaurants in Tokyo.
Having been exposed to various genres of cuisine, I have come to have a dream to one day open a friendly cafe that offers the best food from around the world.
I also study art on my own in order to create a cafe that expresses my personality, and I keep active as an illustrator.
I started working at iki in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa in order to learn about coffee and the cafe industry from the ground up.
Welcome to relax and enjoy this space!
Konomi Itani
BAKER
I come from Osaka and entered the baking industry when I was a student, working part-time at a bakery. After training at a private store, I worked as a boulanger chef at a bakery in Tokyo owned by a restaurant chain.
I’m looking forward to creating bread and pastry menus that match with coffee.