TOKYO, JAPAN – If you love craft coffee, Tokyo has plenty of options you can enjoy beyond the chains – especially when it comes to third-wave coffee shops. Visit will really depend on your itinerary and what makes sense as well as the time of day as many coffee shops open quite late in Japan (shocking for someone who needs an early dose of caffeine). This list focuses on places that I found both convenient and original with a focus on quality and small-batch coffee for the most part.
Kanda Coffee
If you love specialty roasted craft coffee, Kanda Coffee is certainly for enthusiasts and also great for people watching although seating is limited to just twelve seats. You cannot go wrong with any of their coffee drinks which are freshly roasted, but also don’t skip their flan which is top tier. They sell coffee bags to take home as well which make for great souvenirs. The owner is also quite a fan of jazz and has programming at times. Kanda is located in Kanda Jinbocho, Tokyo, close to Kudanshita and Suidobashi station. 東京都千代田区神田神保町2-38-10 多幸ビル １Ｆ
Fuglen Asakusa Tokyo
I fell in love with Fuglen on my first trip back to Japan after the lifting of pandemic restrictions. It’s a neighborhood cafe that draws people from all backgrounds and offers excellent cocktails in addition to a wide-variety of coffee drinks. It really captures the community you expect from a top-tier coffee shop. Since the location is so close to Sensō-ji, it draws plenty of international customers so if you’re looking for a more low-key locals vibe this may not be the spot for you. They make an excellent tonic and have a number of espresso-based drinks. Prices are fair. 東京都台東区浅草 2-6-15
% Arabica Tokyo Azabudai Hills B1
If a slick, futuristic cafe is more your style and you’re visiting TeamLab in Azabudai Hills between Roppongi and Toranomon, add a stop at % Arabica to your itinerary before or after your visit. The inside is beautiful and the coffee is great. You’ll pay a premium, but it’s worth it in my opinion. 東京都港区虎ノ門5-9-1 麻布台ヒルズ ガーデンプラザB B1F
Tiphareth Coffee Roastery
If you are staying in Shinjuku, Tiphareth is a small local roaster that opens early in the morning and is great before heading out for the day. The owner is friendly and makes great pour over drinks. This location is a bit off the beaten path from the JR station. It is a 6 minute walk from JR Yotsuya Station. There is a good amount of seating and space if you are planning to stay awhile. 東京都新宿区四谷2-11-18 磯合ビル 1F
All Seasons Coffee Shinjuku
This coffee shop has great seasonal drinks and is located closer to Shinjuku Station. All Seasons prides itself on being open to everyone, and you can enjoy not only coffee but also pudding and cakes. They have a robust online shop for their goods as well. It’s a 3 minutes walk from Shinjuku-Sanchome Station. 東京都新宿区新宿2-7-7 寿ビル 1F
About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics.
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