One Year, One Step: A Note of Gratitude and What Comes Next
A reflection by Marcia Yoko, on behalf of the ULT team.
A year ago, we started a conversation. We wanted ULT to be our way of talking about coffee culture—a dialogue that begins with a producer’s hands and ends in the cup you hold. It was a quiet start, built on a simple belief: that coffee, when treated with respect, can tell a powerful story.
Today, as I look back on our first year, my heart is filled with a deep sense of gratitude. This journey has never been about us alone. It has been about the community we’ve built together, the stories we’ve started to share, and the trust you’ve placed in us. And I want to say, with sincere conviction: this is only the first step.
A Recognition That Belongs to Many
When we learned that ULT had been named #24 in The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops, the feeling wasn’t just pride. It was a profound sense of honor—not for a name, but for the people this recognition represents. It’s a testament to the producers who entrust us with their work, a reflection of our team’s quiet dedication, and a validation of the curiosity and support from our community here in Japan.
This honor reinforces our belief that when you focus on craft and transparency, people notice. It gives us the confidence to continue on this path, knowing we are heading in the right direction together.
A Conversation in Every Cup
At its core, ULT is our way of exploring and sharing the world of coffee. Our foundation is, and always will be, the incredible coffees of Brazil. Our mission began with a desire to show the world the depth, diversity, and precision that Brazilian producers can achieve, moving the conversation beyond old stereotypes and into a new territory of quality. The coffees from South of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo are just the beginning of that story.
But our curiosity doesn't stop at one border. We believe every coffee-growing region has a unique story to tell. In the years to come, we want to continue this conversation by introducing you to more producers, more origins, and more terroirs. We want to be a bridge, connecting you to the rich and varied culture of coffee from around the world, one cup at a time.
To the People Who Built This With Us
There’s a phrase we hold close to our hearts at ULT: “Teamwork makes the dream work.” I’ve seen this come to life every single day. This first year was built on the unseen efforts of a team that believes in doing things the right way. Their commitment to the small details—the daily calibrations, the countless cuppings, the pursuit of the perfect roast—is what defines our quality. This recognition is a direct result of their shared passion and discipline.
To our producing partners, I want to extend my deepest gratitude. Your dedication and craft are the very soul of our coffees. It is a privilege to be the storytellers of your hard work, and we are committed to honoring it with the respect it deserves.
And to our community, our customers: thank you. Thank you for your warm welcome, your high standards, and your willingness to engage in this conversation with us. You have turned a coffee shop into a meeting place, and for that, we are eternally grateful.
The First Step of a Longer Journey
This anniversary and this award are not a destination. They are a doorway. They mark the end of our first chapter and the beginning of a much longer story we want to write with you. There are so many more things we want to share, so many more experiences we want to create, and so many more stories we want to tell.
We will continue to push ourselves, to refine our craft, and to honor the trust you’ve given us. Thank you for being a part of this first, incredible year.
This is just the beginning.
With gratitude,
Marcia Yoko Co-founder, ULT Coffee Roaster
