A cup of hot coffee is the only right way to start a day for millions of people throughout the world.

Millions of people all over the world believe that the only right way to start a great day is with a cup of steaming coffee. Coffee plant, from which the beans are harvested, is native to tropical Africa, from where the plant was exported to other parts of the world, and now coffee is cultivated in more than 70 countries. Coffee is also popular on Okinawa, and there are even a couple of coffee farms on the northern hills of the island.

Barista at work shows that making the perfect cup is not simple.

Now, a dozen coffee shops, ten from Okinawa and one each from Shimane and Hyogo prefectures, are organizing an event to promote public’s understanding of the finer points of coffee brewing and consumption. The event takes place on Sunday, Oct. 2, at Ginoza Culture Center Garaman Hall from 10:00 to 18:00.

The event features presentations on everything that is enjoyable and worth understanding about coffee from various points of view. There’s also a movie about coffee, tasting of specialty coffees, nice foods that match coffee and workshops.

The 12 shops that organize the event have booths where the public can taste and get information on their specialty coffees.

In addition to the coffee shops, over 30 food vendors will be present to serve delicious food that are chosen to match coffee. Among others, the foods include bread, mixed noodles, and a lunch plate prepared with fresh Okinawa-grown vegetables. For desserts, there are beans, chocolates and Ohagi that is sweet bean paste covered by sweet rice cake.

The event also features screening of a documentary film about coffee. The film is in English with Japanese subtitles, and it documents everything about specialty coffee processing to philosophy of coffee. Workshops cover subjects from roasting the beans to brewing of espresso.

Admission to the festival is free except the movie show and workshops. Movie tickets cost ¥1,300 in advance and ¥1,800 at door. Advance tickets are available by e-mail.  When booking, write down your name, phone number, name of the festival, and how many tickets you need, or call 098-983-2613 24 hours a day. Advance tickets are available through 24:00 the night before.

The first showing of the movie starts at 10:30 and the second at 14:00. The main hall opens 30 minutes before the movies start.

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