I love coffee and love specialty coffee. This is a trimmed-down collection of some of my favorite coffee shops I frequented while staying in Tokyo for a couple months last fall.
Also, apologies for the description formatting – Reddit doesn’t allow paragraphs in tables.
## Note for Casual Coffee Drinkers
I write this mostly for people who love coffee and want to explore some of the specialty coffee scene in Tokyo.
Some of these places are out of the way and/or quite expensive. If you have no interest or only a passing interest in coffee, I’d say most of the things on this list aren’t really places to drop into.
But coffee I would recommend for the casual drinkers out there – either from this list or just other stuff I’ve had:
* Cafe Reissue – very fun
* Higuma Coffee and Doughnuts – good doughnuts and a good location
* Fuglen – two good locations, good vibes
* Sarutahiko – generally okay, decent chain that you’ll find all throughout Tokyo
* Streamer Coffee Company – they have multiple locations around the Shibuya/Harajuku area. Not exactly my preferred style, but they have great latte art and are very Starbucks-y
## Vocabulary
Some vocabulary for coffee shops if you’re somehow posed with a menu that doesn’t have English.
|**Coffee Type**|**Japanese**|**Romanization**|
|:-|:-|:-|
|Coffee|コーヒー|*ko-hi-*|
|Espresso|エスプレッソ|*esupuresso*|
|Flat White|フラットホワイト|*furatto howaito*|
|Cappuccino|カプチーノ|*kapuchiino*|
|Latte|ラテ|*rate*|
|Hand Drip Coffee (what they call pourover coffee)|ハンドドリップコーヒー|*Hando dorippu ko-hi-*|
## Ginza Area
### Glitch Coffee
|**Location**|[**https://goo.gl/maps/Rxq88xg2CbbepCzc8**](https://goo.gl/maps/Rxq88xg2CbbepCzc8)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Everything! Espresso, flat white, latte, pour overs|
|**Food**|Baked goods|
|**Cost**|Whatever the coffee beans cost – 1000 – 4000 yen per drink. Subsequent orders will receive a 200 yen discount.|
|**Language**|English menu, some staff may speak English|
|**Description**|I have not been to this one, but have been to the one in Jimbocho/Kanda.|
### Cafe de L’Ambre
|Location|[**https://goo.gl/maps/z6ScPefkofnbSHwK9**](https://goo.gl/maps/z6ScPefkofnbSHwK9)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Queen Amber (amazing coffee mixed drink), variety of roasted coffee, some of which are from beans aged 5+ years.|
|**Food**|None|
|**Cost**|500 – 2000 Yen|
|**Language**|English menu, a couple on staff speak English.|
|**Description**|This coffee shop was founded in 1948 and is an old-school kissaten. Staff are very nice, space is a little cramped, but they make some great coffee using Hario Nel cloth drippers. For their drip coffee, they will give you options of making it ‘light’, ‘medium’, or ‘strong.’ This is how concentrated the resulting coffee will be – if you like espresso, even ‘strong’ isn’t particularly strong, to give you an idea. I really like to drink their coffee with a little alcohol – they have a selection of liquor on the menu like brandy. And the Queen Amber – highly recommended if you like a cold, sweet coffee drink.|
## Shibuya ＊ Harajuku ＊ Omotesando ＊ Yoyogi ＊ Shimokitazawa
### Chatei Hatou
|**Location**|[https://goo.gl/maps/ME8BwxdhsXf46kR5A](https://goo.gl/maps/ME8BwxdhsXf46kR5A)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Coffee made from charcoal-roasted beans, cake.|
|**Food**|CHIFFON CAKE!|
|**Cost**|600 – 2000 Yen – CASH ONLY|
|**Language**|English menu, staff do not speak English|
|**Description**|Famously, this is the kissaten that inspired the founding of Blue Bottle. It can get quite busy, and the staff may be what I’d call a little curt. The coffee is very robust – I can drink it black with no sugar or milk, but there are various options for milk-based drinks on the menu. My wife says the cappuccino is amazing, it’s concentrated pourer coffee that is then topped with a really thick whipped milk topping (this is hard to describe, you’ll just have to order it for yourself). Pair coffee with chiffon cake, this is a must!|
### Fuglen Shibuya
|**Location**|[**https://goo.gl/maps/ZgpuD8FQ9Lr3fzyP6**](https://goo.gl/maps/ZgpuD8FQ9Lr3fzyP6)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Nordic-roasted coffee beans, mocha, flat white,|
|**Food**|Baked goods|
|**Cost**|600 – 2000 Yen|
|**Language**|English menu, some staff may speak English|
|**Description**||
### Obscura
|**Location**|[**https://goo.gl/maps/7BPQMfCmWLZus34W9**](https://goo.gl/maps/7BPQMfCmWLZus34W9)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Good coffee and nicely priced roasted beans|
|**Food**|None|
|**Cost**|350 – 650 yen for coffee|
|**Language**|English menu, unknown staff English ability|
|**Description**|Decent coffee, I like their coffee beans.|
### Cafe Reissue
See the two latte artists:
* Runa: [https://www.instagram.com/RunaPocket/](https://www.instagram.com/RunaPocket/)
* George: [https://twitter.com/george\_10g](https://twitter.com/george_10g)
|**Location**|[**https://goo.gl/maps/ScAe7SrF3SnCAtxT7**](https://goo.gl/maps/ScAe7SrF3SnCAtxT7)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Latte art! Reissue produces some of the most fun 2D and 3D latte art in the coffee world.n You can show them a picture/image of what you want them to do and pick a 2-D or 3-D version of it to be done.|
|**Food**|Has a food menu, I got cheesecake|
|**Cost**|CASH ONLY – 600 yen for plain coffee / 1200 yen for coffee with art / 600 – 2000 yen for food|
|**Language**|English menu with pictures, staff do not speak English|
|**Description**|This is a really fun cafe up a set of stairs in Harajuku. Been there a couple times, once they did my cat (3-D), another time I went with my wife and she had them do Osamu Dazai (Bungo Stray Dogs) and I had them do Hatsune Miku. Do be prepared to wait – it takes about 20 minutes to get art done.|
### Onibus Coffee
|**Location**|[**https://goo.gl/maps/5dijXPf5rnBKvTTa9**](https://goo.gl/maps/5dijXPf5rnBKvTTa9)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Very good coffee in a rather cozy, two-floor space. Has some outdoor seating.|
|**Food**|Baked goods (did not eat any)|
|**Cost**|500 – 800 yen for coffee / Beans range from 700-1000 yen for 100 grams up to 5000-8000 yen for 1 kg|
|**Language**|English menu, staff may speak English|
|**Description**|Really nice coffee a block off a main drag in Nakameguro. Gear is the typical EK43, Linea PB, Mythos. Atmosphere is chill, with music playing, mixed with the sounds of the Toyoko Line running about 15 feet away from you. Can get pretty busy – it’s a place for locals and college students to hang out, and is famous enough to draw international coffee enthusiasts. The espresso was well made, very citrusy and medium brightness. Chocolate and syrupy in the middle and mouthfeel. Americano was diluted to roughly 9 oz of liquid, more than my personal preference but this lowered the brightness and brought out more orange peel notes, something like a hint of floral taste, and a bittersweet chocolate. The finish was mildly acidic, lightly buttery (like the finish of a cup of cocoa). It still had a pretty rounded mouthfeel.|
### Koffee Mameya – Coffee Bean Shop
|**Location**|[**https://goo.gl/maps/PHQjBA3naorW2cbz6**](https://goo.gl/maps/PHQjBA3naorW2cbz6)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Coffee bean shop that sells a variety of beans from roasters throughout the Japan or the world|
|**Food**|None|
|**Cost**|Pourover coffee can be made for depending on what the coffee is. I usually pay about 1000 yen for the coffee. Coffee beans can cost 3000 – 5000 yen for 150 grams.|
|**Language**|Staff speak excellent English, the bean menu is in English|
|**Description**|Imagine having your coffee bean buying experience becoming very personal and conversation. That’s what this shop is like. Don’t come here expecting to sit down or drink coffee (you will stand).|
### Higuma Doughnuts x Coffee Wrights
|**Location**|[**https://goo.gl/maps/Mt8wMcLA4FnyLRG79**](https://goo.gl/maps/Mt8wMcLA4FnyLRG79)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Great doughnuts and good coffee down the street from Koffee Mameya.|
|**Food**|D O U G H N U T S|
|**Cost**|450 – 600 yen for coffee 300 – 400 yen for doughnuts|
|**Language**|English menu, staff may speak English|
|**Description**|What I needed on an 85 degree day. They serve coffee roasted by Coffee Wrights. Coffee was mildly sweet, satisfyingly bitter. I’d say notes of very bitter dark chocolate, paired well with the donuts. I loved the doughnuts – had a cinnamon sugar – they’re soft and airy, unlike the very cake-y doughnuts I’m normally used to.|
### Little Nap Coffee Stand
|**Location**|[**https://goo.gl/maps/xEDDoF3nztVxtnL88**](https://goo.gl/maps/xEDDoF3nztVxtnL88)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Excellent coffee next to the train tracks.|
|**Food**|Has baked goods, ice cream, and hot dogs.|
|**Cost**|430 – 700 yen|
|**Language**|English menu, staff may speak English?|
|**Description**|This is located about 1 km from their roasters: [https://goo.gl/maps/478StaXbCqU6M3TS7](https://goo.gl/maps/478StaXbCqU6M3TS7). Out of the way but if you’re venturing to the Yoyogi Hachimangu or trekking around Yoyogi Park, this is on the western edge. Gear is a Synesso MVP Hydra paired with Mazzer grinder. Very chill and cozy space next to the Odakyu Line train tracks. Had an Americano, very chocolatey and herbaceous base coffee.|
### Coffee Wrights
|**Location**|[**https://goo.gl/maps/rohoDwES5RGZomgS7**](https://goo.gl/maps/rohoDwES5RGZomgS7)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Dark chocolate-y espresso, spacious coffee shop.|
|**Food**|Has a food menu, I got cheesecake|
|**Cost**|400-500 yen for espresso (single/double) 600 yen for milk drinks / **If you’re sitting in the cafe, each member of your party must order something**|
|**Language**|English menu with pictures, staff do not speak English|
|**Description**|Uses a Synesso Hydra single group. Espresso was developed, very much on the dark chocolate spectrum. Atmosphere is relaxed and quiet, played jazz music while I was there.|
### Bear Pond
|**Location**|[**https://goo.gl/maps/VfFaN8Zt1rjY5BbF7**](https://goo.gl/maps/VfFaN8Zt1rjY5BbF7)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Excellent espresso shots|
|**Food**|None|
|**Cost**|500-800 yen – I think cash only.|
|**Language**|English menu, staff doesn’t speak English AFAIK|
|**Description**|Machine is a La Marzocco FB80. This place has somewhat of a reputation of being maybe a little curt, because it’s pretty no-nonsense. I felt the staff member was nice enough. The shop is a little small and there are a few outside seats. I’ve had multiple espresso shots and macchiatos here. If you like your coffee fast and traditional, this is a very good option. Very chocolatey, the base espresso is robust and developed, more medium-dark to bring out deep chocolate notes. Very long finish with a bitter chocolate aftertaste. The macchiato cut this darkness down and made it more palatable to me, and the latte art was very nice, especially given that it’s done in a demitasse. If the owner is at the shop, you must try the special menu, which has an item on it called The Angel Stain. It’s 800 yen and basically a super ristretto, like you’ll only end up getting a splash of espresso in a cup. The other staff will not make the special drinks.|
### Ogawa Coffee Laboratory
|**Location**|[**https://goo.gl/maps/MZTN1Xea5q5bekYf8**](https://goo.gl/maps/MZTN1Xea5q5bekYf8)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Variety of coffee preparation in an almost cavern-like space|
|**Food**|Baked goods|
|**Cost**|600 – 2500 yen for coffee. Higher end is for pour overs made from expensive beans (e.g. 100% Jamaica Blue Mountain or Gesha).|
|**Language**|English menu, some staff may speak English|
|**Description**|This is a very stark place a few blocks away from Bear Pond. I had to visit them since it’s a “newer” style Ogawa Coffee similar to what we have in Boston. Unlike the Ogawa Coffees in Kyoto or Boston this place doesn’t do food aside from a small selection of baked goods (looks to be scones). Drinks are espresso, pour over, Aeropress, and you pick from a selection of coffee beans. Service is friendly, the staff do know some English, and all the coffee selections are in English and Japanese with a corresponding “flavor wheel” identifying what each coffee would be. I asked the barista for what he’d recommend for something that’s acidic and sweet and I got the El Salvador Los Alpes. Pour over is made with ceramic Kalita 155s. Coffee was nice, just a tinge of acidity in the finish, with front sweetness and juiciness, lots of red fruit notes (the card indicated red grape and cherries).|
### The Mosque
|**Location**|[**https://goo.gl/maps/fkjG8PoAUmJyZBpv6**](https://goo.gl/maps/fkjG8PoAUmJyZBpv6)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Great Turkish coffee and lokum in cozy space|
|**Food**|Lokum (Turkish Delight)|
|**Cost**|Forgot the cost, but I think it’s something like 500-600 yen for coffee, and 100 yen per lokum.|
|**Language**|English menu, owner may know some English|
|**Description**|Small place with chill vibes. This place does Turkish Coffee, stumbled upon it like three coffee shops in in Shimokitazawa. You get your choices of style (I got a Cardamom) and I got some lokum to go with it. Sugar levels of 0-3 (I got a 1). Owner is super friendly, coffee had a good balance of spice and just a tinge of sweetness at sugar level 1. Paired very nicely with the lokum, aftertaste of sweets and cardamom. Very good coffee, it changed my mind about Turkish coffee.|
## East Side
### Glitch Coffee Jimbocho
|**Location**|[https://goo.gl/maps/V2X4VJUnNj7qjeCv5](https://goo.gl/maps/V2X4VJUnNj7qjeCv5)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Everything! Espresso, flat white, latte, pour overs|
|**Food**|Baked goods|
|**Cost**|Whatever the coffee beans cost, so 1000 – 5000 yen per drink / Subsequent orders will receive a 200 yen discount.|
|**Language**|English menu, some staff may speak English|
|**Description**|This is my second favorite Glitch (after the Osaka location), but it is my favorite coffee shop in Japan. It’s my wife’s favorite coffee shop in the world. Even with the Ginza location, I’d still recommend this place because it’s the OG. Was basically my second home when I was living short-term in Tokyo.|
### Fuglen Asakusa
|**Location**|[**https://goo.gl/maps/NRrRoXrPf8SYSjgj6**](https://goo.gl/maps/NRrRoXrPf8SYSjgj6)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Nordic coffee, spacious coffee shop|
|**Food**|Baked goods|
|**Cost**|500 – 800 yen|
|**Language**|English menu, staff may speak English|
|**Description**|This is the much more spacious version of Fuglen compared to their Shibuya outpost. I’ve been to this one many times and they always make good coffee. Staff are super friendly.|
### Unlimited Coffee Bar
|**Location**|[**https://goo.gl/maps/h5cqgf1NEWBcbzKe9**](https://goo.gl/maps/h5cqgf1NEWBcbzKe9)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Excellent coffee and cheesecake in the shadow of Tokyo Skytree.|
|**Food**|Has a lunch food menu, and some sweets|
|**Cost**|500 – 800 yen for coffee / 600 – 1500 yen for food / ??? Yen for alcohol / 2000-6000 yen for coffee beans (100-500 grams)|
|**Language**|English menu with pictures, staff may speak English|
|**Description**|This is a big name in the specialty coffee scene – they’re a perennial contender for the roasting championship of Japan. I went here multiple times, had multiple espresso and pour overs. Had an Ethiopia Chelektu which was like an acidic face punch, lots of citrus and lemon peel up front, with trailing notes of brown sugar, sweet clean finish, medium aftertaste. Also had an Ethiopia Aricha as a pour over with extremely powerful blueberry notes, made in a v60; as it cooled it gave way to more earthy notes like dark chocolate and what was herbaceous notes (couldn’t put my taste on it). Place also serves food (which I didn’t have), desserts (I like the Tokyo cheesecake), and is also a bar with beer on tap, as well as liquor. Equipment was Linea PB and Mythos.|
### Koffee Mameya – KAKERU CAFE
|**Location**|[https://goo.gl/maps/cDikbczFRSqQrf4E6](https://goo.gl/maps/cDikbczFRSqQrf4E6)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Cheesecake, coffee made with beans from your roaster of choice, coffee cocktails|
|**Food**|Has a dessert menu|
|**Cost**|500 – 3000 yen|
|**Language**|English menu, staff speak excellent English|
|**Description**|This place turns the Mameya concept into a full coffee shop and bar, with a central space surrounded by a counter that sits about 30. The coffee selection is the same list as the one at Koffee Mameya, so if you want the coffee shop experience and to also buy the beans, you can forgo waiting in a potentially massive line at Mameya Omotesando. They will make you espresso, pour over (Kalita Wave 155), milk drinks, and they have cold brew. They also make coffee cocktails. I opened with a double espresso from Coffee Collective, a Halo Washed Ethiopia. Very high acidity and juicy mouthfeel, lots of tart berry notes. I followed it up with a Black Cat cocktail which was made with “Raspberry Candy” cold brew (from Ona Coffee), imo shochu (Yamaneko), verjus, honey, and tonic. Had a nice front taste of chocolate from the coffee, and a lot of grape taste. I finished with a pour over of Momos La Montana Geisha, natural Peruvian. The coffee had a lot of amber honey notes, a lot of sweetness but also that earthy sweetness, quite different from a lot of Gesha that tends to be very floral.|
## THROUGHOUT TOKYO
These excellent coffee shops are a little more out of the way.
### Passage Coffee
|**Location**|[**https://goo.gl/maps/Kq7uGCVeVeGDHLPt5**](https://goo.gl/maps/Kq7uGCVeVeGDHLPt5)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Great coffee near-ish Tokyo Tower. And close to Pizza Studio Tamaki, some of the best Neapolitan pizza I’ve had!|
|**Food**|Baked goods, pastries, donuts.|
|**Cost**|500 – 1000 yen|
|**Language**|English menu, staff may speak English?|
|**Description**|This coffee shop has 2017 World Aeropress champion and Q Grader Sasaki Shuichi on staff – which I didn’t know until after I ordered my coffee. Gear was Linea PB, NS Mythos, Mazzer…something (Robur S or Major V, one of those). Had an espresso, and pour over of Colombia Gesha from Nicolas Hernandez. our over was quite good, fruity, raspberry notes, pleasant finish of black tea. I got a note kind of like a butter cookie in the middle. A little more interesting than other Gesha I’ve had lately. Very juicy mouthfeel. As it cooled the notes that opened up were more citrusy and floral, like lemon peel and orange blossom. Espresso was their house blend and was a little acidic but more reminiscent of more traditional espresso, slightly ashy finish, very heavy mouthfeel, almost like syrup. It was pulled as a single (didn’t see an option for double). Has seating for maybe 14-16 and can get busy (was there on a Sunday afternoon) but is otherwise quite chill and relaxed as an atmosphere.|
### Coffee Elementary School
|**Location**|[**https://goo.gl/maps/9C78rf3h5nyXyfNE9**](https://goo.gl/maps/9C78rf3h5nyXyfNE9)|
|:-|:-|
|**Highlights**|Pourovers and chocolate scones|
|**Food**|Baked goods, sandwiches|
|**Cost**|500-700 Yen for coffee|
|**Language**|English menu, unknown staff English ability|
|**Description**|I originally thought this place was in Shibuya. Was wrong! It’s actually in Kinshicho, which is rather out of the way in terms of where people would probably go, as it’s mostly an area for residents – it’s a shopping area and has a busy nightlife area. Anyway, the coffee shop. It’s very chill, would probably sit 12 or so inside (three 2-tops, has a long bench-like seat). They don’t seem to do straight up espresso, only drinks made with espresso. I had a pour over of their house blend coffee and it was very nice – heavy chocolate notes mixed with fruit, I got light acidic red fruit like a hint of cranberry/raspberry. Also something reminiscent of black tea. Made in an Origami dripper. Their espresso gear is an LM Strada 2 group and a Mazzer grinder. Their pour over beans are ground with an EK43.|
28 comments
Thank you for this, I’ll check out Glitch Coffee when I go
❤️
This is great.
I was very impressed with the coffee culture in Japan, I have a few more spots saved on my gmaps for the eventual return
Thank you!
Thank you for the recommendation!
Thank you!! My husband and I are headed to Tokyo this fall and are super excited to try as many coffee shops as possible. I see a few here that aren’t on my list yet! 🤩
Great list and descriptions!
Lately I’ve been getting into brewing my own Vietnamese coffee down to using a phin dripper tool and certain robust/dark beans.
Was thinking of seeing if anyone’s doing anything with that style in Tokyo. Odds are probably not other than any Vietnamese restaurants but could be cool. I know around here in California, some coffee shops will also make a Vietnamese coffee with a bit of their own style even if they’re not a Vietnamese shop.
Comprehensive list! My first cafe I visited on my first trip to Tokyo this April was Glitch in Jimbocho and I really loved it. I got an Ethiopian Gesha that I paid more than I’d like to say for. It was excellent. Friendly staff that geeked out on coffee with me. I also loved Koffee Mameya. I didn’t even mind the line. It was such a unique specialty coffee experience. They even knew about the coffee roasted in my home state in the US (Onyx from Arkansas). Very knowledgeable. I went to many of the others on the list, and this wouldn’t be considered Tokyo but if you’re making a trip to Kamakura, be sure to check out Ignis
just looking for good cold brew, any recommendations?
I’ve been in Japan for only a few days and this is exactly the kind of list I’ve been looking for! Thanks for your hard work and will definitely be trying a selection of these places!!
Saved! Love your work!
Be prepared to pay high prices too. I went out of my way to get a coffee from Cafe de L’ambre when I was in Tokyo and I paid like $8 for this tiny little thing that wasn’t even that great. I guess I was paying for the dingy, smoky, speakeasy atmosphere.
Thank you.
Thank you very detailed.
I’m wondering if Cortado is a normal order over there ?
Another vote for Glitch Kanda, awesome place
Wonderful list! Tysm!
Any specific recs for places Autumn or Halloween flavored treats or even just decorated for the season?
have you ever been to this place? not sure of the name in english.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZkyzkSx6zyX8UWaDA
espresso drinks around 500-700 yen. Inside is strangely quiet and formal but they will make drinks to go, best latte I’ve had but I’m an enthusiast not an expert!
You legend. I would love to do a bit of a coffee tour around Tokyo.
This is awesome. I literally haven’t had a terrible cup of coffee here. Am generally very picky. Even Starbucks in Japan seemed better than in the states.
Wow. Thank you for this!
This is awesome! Thank you!!
Thank you! I’m going to Japan in about a month and will keep this in mind.
Thank you!
Thanks for this – looking to check out some of the others when I’m back in November. +1 to Glitch and I would also recommend Verve.
Awesome! I heard of Little Nap years ago but I forgot to visit it when I was there. I’ll definitely try some of these when I go back.
I highly recommend Leaves Coffee Roasters! Kinda walkable from Asakusa and Mameya sources beans from them!
Great list. Dark Art in Hayama is my favourite. I highly recommend to anyone who is in the area. Staff speak English and coffee is top notch. Prices for beans are also much more reasonable despite being of the same quality of places like Glitch
Fuglen was a lifesaver on one of my recent trips, as I subscribe to a nordic roaster for brewing at home and start itching for a fix after a few days on the road.