• Company Name: HARIO Co., Ltd. (formerly Hario Glass Co., Ltd.)
• Founded: October 1921
• Founder: Hiromu Shibata
• Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
• Industry: Glass manufacturing, coffee equipment, kitchenware
• Products: Coffee brewing equipment, tea accessories, heatproof glassware, kitchen products, laboratory glassware, pet products, aromatherapy products, handmade glass jewellery
• Known for: V60 Coffee Dripper, Buono Kettle, Coffee Syphon, heat-resistant glass technology1

Origins (1921–1940)

HARIO was established in October 1921 by Hiromu Shibata in Tokyo. At the time, Japan imported much of its scientific glassware from Europe. HARIO sought to produce high-quality domestic laboratory glass products including beakers, flasks, Petri dishes and chemical apparatus. The company invested heavily in research into heat-resistant borosilicate glass, aiming to achieve international quality standards.1

Development of HARIO Glass

Throughout the 1940s, HARIO focused on developing its own proprietary heat-resistant glass. A major milestone came in 1949 when the company successfully created HARIO Glass, a specially formulated heatproof glass designed for durability, thermal resistance and chemical stability. This proprietary material became the foundation for nearly all HARIO products over the following decades.2

Expansion into household products

Following World War II, HARIO expanded beyond laboratory equipment. In 1948, the company introduced its first household coffee product, the Coffee Syphon, marking its entry into consumer coffee brewing equipment. Over the following decades, the company expanded into tea equipment, kitchenware, heatproof serving ware and glass storage containers.3

One of HARIO’s defining achievements occurred in 1972 when it became one of the world’s first glass manufacturers to switch entirely to electric glass-melting furnaces. Unlike traditional furnaces fuelled by heavy oil, HARIO’s electric furnaces produced virtually no smokestack emissions, leading the company to describe its facilities as a “factory without chimneys”. This innovation reduced air pollution, carbon emissions, workplace dust and overall environmental impact. The technology remains one of HARIO’s signature manufacturing achievements.3

During the global coffee renaissance of the late 20th century, HARIO became increasingly focused on manual brewing equipment. Its products gained popularity among specialty cafés, coffee roasters, home brewers and barista competitions. The company’s philosophy emphasised precision, simplicity and consistency.

Introduced in 2004, the V60 Coffee Dripper became HARIO’s most famous product. Its name derives from its V-shaped cone and 60-degree angle. The dripper incorporates three defining design features:

Spiral ribs

Raised spiral ribs allow air to escape during brewing, promoting even extraction.

Large bottom hole

A single large opening enables the brewer to control extraction speed primarily through pouring technique.

Cone shape

The cone encourages a deeper coffee bed for more uniform extraction.

These design characteristics made the V60 highly responsive to grind size, pouring speed and brewing technique, contributing to its widespread adoption among coffee professionals. Today, the V60 is one of the world’s most widely used manual coffee brewers.3

Coffee equipment

• V60 Dripper
• V60 Range Server
• Buono Pouring Kettle
• Coffee Syphon
• Switch Immersion Dripper
• Cold Brew Bottles
• Hand Grinders
• Scale and Drip Station

Tea products

• Tea servers
• Tea presses
• Heatproof teapots

Kitchenware

• Glass bowls
• Measuring cups
• Microwave-safe containers
• Storage jars

Laboratory products

Despite its consumer popularity, HARIO continues to manufacture laboratory glassware, maintaining its original business segment.1

HARIO emphasises heat-resistant glass technology, functional industrial design, long product life, repairability where practical and precision manufacturing. Many products are manufactured in Japan, while some product lines are produced internationally depending on the item and market.4

HARIO’s design principles include simplicity, practicality, scientific precision, transparency of materials and minimalist Japanese aesthetics. Its laboratory heritage strongly influences the appearance and functionality of its products.

To preserve traditional glass craftsmanship, HARIO established the HARIO Lampwork Factory, where artisans handcraft jewellery from the company’s heat-resistant glass. These pieces are lightweight, durable and produced using traditional lampworking techniques, reflecting HARIO’s commitment to sustaining artisanal glassmaking alongside industrial production.5

HARIO products are distributed worldwide through regional subsidiaries and authorised distributors across Japan, North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, South Korea and Taiwan. Its coffee equipment is widely used in cafés, roasting companies and homes around the world.1

HARIO has played a major role in the global growth of specialty coffee. The V60 in particular has become a benchmark brewing device for professionals and enthusiasts alike, shaping modern manual brewing techniques and educational resources. Its widespread adoption in cafés and competitions has helped standardise pour-over methods internationally.

From its beginnings as a laboratory glass manufacturer in 1921, HARIO has evolved into one of the world’s most respected names in heat-resistant glass and specialty coffee equipment. The company’s combination of scientific expertise, environmental innovation and minimalist Japanese design has earned it a lasting reputation among professionals and consumers alike. Nearly a century after its founding, HARIO continues to produce products that bridge laboratory precision with everyday use, making it a defining brand in modern coffee culture.

1. history & network
2. HISTORY | Hario Asia – Heatproof Glass Manufacturer
3. HARIO (logo) with text: “SINCE 1921” and a paragra
4. History
5. About