Kurasu

Kurasu was founded in June 2013 by Yozo Otsuki, a former Goldman Sachs investment banker, as an online Japanese homeware store serving customers in Australia. Inspired by friends' appreciation for Japanese craft, minimalism, and design, Otsuki launched the venture—named after the Japanese word meaning 'to live' or 'lifestyle'—alongside his wife. Noticing that more than 60% of sales came from a small lineup of Japanese coffeewares, and drawing on a personal connection to coffee through his parents' Jazz Kissaten (Japanese coffee shops), Otsuki shifted the brand's focus toward coffee. In March 2015, Kurasu rebranded to concentrate solely on coffeewares and target a global audience. Today, operating out of Kyoto, Japan, Kurasu offers its own roasted coffees, brewing gear, accessories, and tea, partnering with recognized Japanese brands such as ORIGAMI, TORCH, KINTO, and HARIO to bring Japanese coffee culture to an international market.