We Built a Café in Tokyo That Runs WITHOUT US

In this video we talk with Kim Harase, a café owner in Tokyo who, alongside her husband Teru, has built a thriving coffee business that includes multiple cafés, their own roasting operation, consulting services, and even a getaway lodge. What makes their story unique is that the business runs at a high level, selling up to 900 cups of coffee a day, while they spend most of the year traveling the world. This episode breaks down what it really takes to build a successful café business in Japan, how to create a system that doesn’t rely on the owner being present, and the strategies behind building a loyal community of repeat customers. Kim also shares the realities of running a brick and mortar business abroad, and the biggest mistakes foreigners make when trying to do the same. 🔹 FREE EPISODE BLUEPRINT I turn every interview into a written blueprint with key lessons, frameworks, and strategies you can apply. Get the free write-up here: https://ambition-abroad.com 🔹 ABOUT AMBITIONS ABROAD Ambitions Abroad is a documentary series about entrepreneurs who moved abroad and built real businesses and lives overseas. 🔹 VIDEO TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Meet Kim Harase 1:04 - How to start a Cafe business 2:04 - How long does it take to open a cafe 3:36 - What should foreigners know before building a cafe in Japan 4:21 - How to get the first customers for a cafe business 4:57 - How to build repeat customers for a cafe business 6:08 - How to brand your cafe 8:27 - How to build a cafe food menu 10:06 - What mistakes do cafe owners make when creating a food menu 11:27 - When should you open up a second cafe 14:03 - How to increase income streams for a cafe 14:05 - Running a business in Japan as a foreigner 16:44 - When should cafe owners add multiple income streams 17:37 - How to build a team / staff for a cafe 19:48 - How to successfully work with your partner 21:06 - The biggest mistakes when building a cafe business 21:30 - Traveling while the business runs 22:28 - What is needed to succeed in the cafe industry 23:21 - How pivotal was moving abroad to Kim and iki's success 🔹 STAY CONNECTED Takumi's Instagram:   / takumi.shyegun   Subscribe:    / @takumi.ambition-abroad   iki Instagram:   / iki_espresso   iki Website: https://iki-espresso.com/ Kim LinkedIn:   / kim-harase-82507a17   🔹 HASHTAGS #cafeinjapan #coffeebusiness #entrepreneurship #businessinjapan #howtostartacafe