Tokyo
in Japan

Just west of the Shibuya station you can find your coffee fix at the About Life Coffee Brewers. This sweet little coffee stand is run by Onibus coffee, and serves up fresh and tasty brews from Onibus Coffee Roasters and Switch Roasters.

Arise Coffee Roasters is truly one of the most unique places to grab a coffee in Tokyo. It's a bit of a haven for the skate community that prides itself on its excellent third-wave coffee & good vibes. Tip: order their delicious pudding!

Aroma Coffee Yaesu is a classic kissaten: unpretentious, efficient and reliable. Expect black coffee, served with a tiny jug of creamer with simple ‘morning sets’, including thick-cut shokupan toast (slightly sweeter and softer than Western breads) and a boiled egg. It’s the most straight-forward option, served from 7am until midday and costing around ¥1,000. You’ll likely be surrounded by local salarymen starting their day or pairs of women coming in for a coffee and chat.

This is the kind of place you go when you want to treat yourself, especially for its seasonal parfaits. Each one is delicately layered with fresh fruit, cream, and crunchy textures, changing slightly as you work your way down. You might find combinations like sakura in spring, strawberry with mascarpone and pistachio, or citrus with yoghurt cream and honeyed granola. The balance is perfect – nothing too heavy or overly sugary. Interiors-wise, it’s simple and bright, keeping the focus on the desserts. Save this for when special occasions call for something sweet.

This compact, beautifully designed coffee space is centred around quality and detail. The carefully sourced beans are prepared with precision to create light, medium and dark roasts – the latter being their signature. There's often a special blend on, that’s great for a filter coffee. Order something straightforward to get a taste of the beans, such as a filter coffee or an espresso-based drink. The wooden interior and bonsai create a calm atmosphere before navigating the train station.

This sweet kissaten, or coffee house, is tucked away in a small quiet street in Ginza and has the reputation of being the oldest coffee shop in the area. This legendary spot only serves coffee in vintage crockery, and is truly some of the best coffee we have tried in a while.

Epulor is café/bar that transitions from coffee to natural wines throughout the day. A focus is on the sound; a resident DJ spins vinyls chosen from the extensive recorb library behind the bar as bartenders shake coffee-based cocktails and pour generous glasses of wine. During the day, the music continues – albeit a calmer genre – as baristas brew a rich hand-drip coffee and serve slices of tangy cherry pie.

Fuglen Tokyo is a Norwegian import that works as a café by day and bar by night. Known for its light roast coffee and mid-century interiors, it offers a different feel to Tokyo’s more minimalist spaces. Sit inside if possible to drink in the full atmosphere, or outside in warmer months. The filter coffee is a good choice with its bright and well-rounded flavour enjoyed on its own. It’s worth revisiting later in the day – after 6pm it transitions into a bar with an impressive cocktail menu. 

This micro roastery sits on a quiet & sweet street corner that serves delicious specialty coffee. Glitch Coffee often hosts informative cupping ceremonies as well as other coffee related events, so make sure to check out what they have got going on during your stay!

Haritts is a long-loved fixture in Yoyogi-Uehara, best known for its soft, handmade doughnuts paired with simple, well-made coffee. Set in a converted house on a residential street, the space is compact, with just a cluster of seats and a steady stream of takeaway orders. Doughnuts are fried in small batches, giving them a light, cake-like texture – you can choose between plain, cinnamon dusted, or filled with custard, cream, or matcha.

Koffee Mameya stands for all things coffee beans and refuse you to give you milk or any additive. With coffee from various origins roasted all over the world, you can either have a little tasting of their selection or go home with bags of beans.

Little Nap Coffee Stand is just a stone's throw away from Yoyogi Park, which is home to one of Tokyo's most creative communities. They serve up well-crafted lattes and thoughtful coffees to the lovely and creative crowd from the park.

Nadoya no Katte is tucked into a residential backstreet of Yoyogi-Uehara, set within a carefully restored traditional house. Shoes come off at the entrance, and inside, low timber beams, sliding doors, and filtered daylight create a quiet, domestic rhythm. Seating is limited, often arranged around a small counter or facing the garden. Coffee from specialty roaster, Glitch, is brewed individually, cup by cup, with a focus on clarity and balance. It’s more akin to visiting someone’s home than a café, making it a place to pause and reset.

Need a little pick me up? We adore this sweet espresso stand close to Nakameguro station, as they make use of one of Tokyo's top specialty coffee roasters, but mostly because of the greenery incorporated into its aesthetic.

This hotspot is frequented by locals & tourists alike for excellent Western breakfasts & pastries, as well as terrific coffee! Order their famous super-fluffy dutch pancakes, they truly satisfy every craving!

This is truly one of the most beautiful experiences you can have whilst in Japan. At Sakurai, you can attend an intimate and traditional tea ceremony that tingles all the senses - taste, smell, sound and touch. A true holistic experience!

This specialty roaster & café in Meguro channels Australian coffee shop magic - its owner learned the tricks of the trade there - but suffuses it with Japanese zen & style.

At Tokyo Saryo you are lured in by the sleek minimalist interior, but you definitely stay for the unique tea experience. You can choose and compare varieties of Sencha green tea, where the tea masters prepare your brew in a beautiful pour over style.

Wagashi is considered an art form in Japan, and Toraya treats it just as that in its little shop and adjacent cafe. The little sweets are delicately displayed like artwork, and can be enjoyed with traditional tea in the cafe!