1. Competition Format
A total of 12 participants will compete in the preliminary round, divided into four groups of three. If any participants are absent or withdraw, the competition will proceed with the remaining group members.
Following the preliminary round, the runner-up from each group will enter a wildcard selection round, from which one wildcard participant will be chosen to advance.
The final round will consist of the four group winners and one wildcard, for a total of five participants.
The competition comprises adjustment time, practice time, competition time, and judging time. Any participant who is absent during any of these stages, or who fails to attend the orientation, will be disqualified.
2. Equipment
The following equipment will be provided by HARIO. Participants must select one of the following HARIO drippers to use during the competition. If desired, participants may also use the Drip Assist in addition to the selected dripper. Participants may change their dripper selection for the final round.
Drippers
- V60 Transparent Dripper Clear 01/02
- V60 Coffee Dripper Ceramic 01/02
- V60 Glass Dripper 01/02
- V60 Metal Dripper Black 02
- Immersion Dripper SWITCH 02 (Glass)
- V60 One Pour Dripper MUGEN
- V60 Dripper SUIREN
- Drip Assist (Optional)
*Note: Switch and MUGEN may be used together.
Servers
- V60 Barista Server 600
Paper Filters
- V60 Paper Filter 01/02 White
- V60 Paper Filter Meteor 01/02
Scales
- Coffee Scale Polaris Black
- V60 Drip Scale
Kettle
- Electric Kettle Lyra Black
Hand Grinder
- Coffee Grinder PRO
One full set of server, scale, kettle, and hand grinder will be provided per competitor during practice and competition.
Other Equipment
- Bean holder, drip tray, tasting cup, paper towels, duster, waste liquid container, trash bin (1 of each per competitor)
- Water Dispenser
Permitted Personal Equipment
Participants are only allowed to bring HARIO branded hand grinders. Combs, spoons and thermometers are permitted. No other personal equipment is allowed, even if manufactured by HARIO.
3. Competition Rules
Preliminary Round
Adjustment Time: 10 minutes
- During adjustment time, participants may calibrate the grinder using the competition beans.
Practice Time: 10 minutes
- During practice time, participants may extract coffee using the provided beans. However, they are responsible for cleaning any drippers used during this period. The server will be replaced by the staff at the end of the practice session.
- Participants may grind and brew the beans during practice time if desired. However, any coffee brewed during this period must be discarded before the competition begins.
- Participants are not allowed to grind or load beans into their grinder if they are intended for competition use.
- Practice time may also be used for competition preparation, including rinsing equipment, sorting and weighing coffee beans, and adjusting the water volume and temperature of the Electric Kettle Lyra.
At the start of practice time, an Electric Kettle Lyra preheated to 800mL at 90°C will be provided.
Competition Time: 6 minutes
- The competition will begin after the 10-minute practice session or once all participants are ready.
- During the competition, each competitor must brew and submit a server containing at least 250mL of coffee to the designated location within 6 minutes. The round ends once the server is placed at the designated spot.
- Staff will promptly verify the amount of coffee upon submission.
- Judging will begin either after 6 minutes have passed or once all participants in the group have completed their rounds.
- Participants will be disqualified if they exceed the 6-minute time limit or if the submitted server contains less than 250mL of coffee.
Judging Time: 5 minutes
- Judging will be conducted through a blind tasting format by a panel of three judges.
- Judges must not observe the participants during the brewing process.
- Each judge will taste all submitted cups placed in front of them.
- After tasting, each judge will select the two best cups:
- 1st place: 4 balls
- 2nd place: 2 balls
Each judge will be given 6 color-coded balls to cast their votes accordingly.
The participant with the highest total number of balls will be declared the winner.
- In the event of a tie in ball count, the participant with more higher-ranked selections (e.g., more 1st place votes) will win.
- If both the ball count and ranking distribution are tied, the Head Judge's 1st place vote will determine the winner.
Clearing Time: 5 minutes
- Staff will assist the cleanup.
- Participants must remove all personal items.
Wildcard Round
The adjustment time, practice time, and competition time will follow the same format and rules as the preliminary round.
Judging Time: 5 minutes
While the basic rules remain the same as the preliminary round, the judging system will be modified as follows:
- Each judge will receive 9 color-coded balls.
- After tasting, each judge will select their top 3 cups:
- 1st place: 5 balls
- 2nd place: 3 balls
- 3rd place: 1 ball
The participant with the highest total number of balls will be declared the winner.
- In the case of a tie in ball count, the participant with more higher-ranked placements will be favored.
- If both the ball count and ranking distribution are tied, the Head Judge's 1st place selection will determine the winner.
Final Round
The adjustment time, practice time, and competition time will follow the same rules as the preliminary round.
Judging Time: 5 minutes
The basic competition rules remain unchanged, but the judging system will be modified as follows:
- Each judge will receive 6 color-coded balls.
- After tasting, each judge will select their top 3 cups:
- 1st place: 3 balls
- 2nd place: 2 balls
- 3rd place: 1 ball
The participant with the highest total ball count will be declared the winner.
- In the event of a tie, the participant with more higher-ranked placements will be favored.
- If both the ball count and rankings are identical, the Head Judge's 1st place vote will determine the winner.
Coaching
Coaching or assistance is not allowed from adjustment time through to the end of the competition. However, interpreters are permitted.
4. Coffee Beans
All participants must use the beans provided by HARIO.
- 150g will be distributed prior to the practice time for both the preliminary and final rounds.
- The beans must cover both practice and competition brews.
- Beans from the same origin will be used for both rounds.
*Beans used during the adjustment time period must not be used during the practice or competition periods.
5. Water
Details on the water provided for brewing on the day of the competition can be found at the following URL:
https://www.fujinoyusui.net/water/products/natural-water/
6. Schedule
- V60 Brewers Cup 2025 World participants are invited to join a HARIO factory visit in Koga on Thursday, September 25, the second day of SCAJ. (Participation in the factory visit is optional.)
- On Saturday, September 27, all finalists will conduct a brewing demonstration at the HARIO booth.
Preparation and clean-up time are included within the allocated time slots below:
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Brazil Representative
- China Representative
- Indonesia Representative
- Malaysia Representative
12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
- Japan Representative
- Saudi Arabia Representative
- Taiwan Representative
- United Kingdom Representative
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Australia Representative
- Canada Representative
- South Korea Representative
- Thailand Representative
7. Prize Money & Awards
The following prizes and products will be awarded to the participants: Bonus prizes will be announced on the day of the event.
- 1st Place: 200,000 yen + Bonus Prize
- 2nd Place: 100,000 yen + Bonus Prize
- 3rd Place: 50,000 yen + Bonus Prize
- 4th–12th Place: Bonus Prize
8. Rules and Operations
In the event of disputes, discrepancies, or unforeseen circumstances, all final decisions will be made at the discretion of HARIO.
Related Documents
 |
HARIO V60 Brewers Cup 2025 Japan Competition Rules Official rules and schedule for the HARIO V60 Brewers Cup 2025 Japan Competition, detailing competition format, equipment, rules, coffee beans, brew water, eligibility, application process, and prizes. |
 |
HARIO V60 Brewers Cup 2025 Japan Competition Rules Official rules and regulations for the HARIO V60 Brewers Cup 2025 Japan Competition, detailing competition format, equipment, rules, coffee beans, eligibility, schedule, application details, and prizes. |
 |
V60 Brewers Cup 2025 World Competition Official Rules Official rules for the V60 Brewers Cup 2025 World Competition, including regulations for the final round. |
 |
Hario Smart G Coffee Mill: Instruction Manual and Usage Guide Comprehensive instruction manual for the Hario Smart G Coffee Mill. Learn how to use, adjust grind size, clean, and maintain your coffee grinder for optimal performance. Includes material guide and brewing recommendations. |
 |
HARIO Polaris Coffee Scale: Instruction Manual & Brewing Guide A comprehensive guide to the HARIO Polaris Coffee Scale (CST-2000), detailing its features like Polaris Mode and Classic Mode, brewing instructions, specifications, care, and region settings. |
 |
Hario V60 Buono Kettle Instruction Manual Comprehensive instruction manual for the Hario V60 Buono Drip Kettle, detailing safe usage, preparation, care, and operation with various heat sources. |
 |
V60 Brewers Cup 2025 Japan Competition Official Rules Official rules for the V60 Brewers Cup 2025 Japan Competition, outlining the regulations and guidelines for participants. |
 |
Hario Polaris Coffee Scale Instruction Manual Comprehensive instruction manual for the Hario Polaris Coffee Scale, detailing its features, modes (Polaris and Classic), brewing guidance, care instructions, and specifications. |