Dodging the Doutor and Tully cafés on every street can be tough, but if you’re after Tokyo’s true coffee treasures, you’ll need to dig a bit deeper. Amid the vibrant cityscape, Tokyo hides a host of delightful specialty coffee spots just waiting to be discovered.
Here’s our curated list of the top 10 coffee destinations across the city that promise to elevate your coffee experience in Tokyo.
Glitch Coffee and Roasters
Address: 〒101-0054 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Kanda Nishikicho, 3 Chome−16 香村ビル １階
Nestled in Tokyo’s secondhand book district, Jinbocho, Glitch Coffee is a must-visit.
Established by Kiyokazu Suzuki in 2015, after years as chief barista and head roaster at Paul Bassett, Glitch Coffee offers specialty single-origin coffee with a light roast to highlight each origin’s unique characteristics.
The snug interior provides an ideal retreat during your Jinbocho book hunt. With over 10 coffee bean options available, the shop crafts hand-drip and espresso drinks using various extraction methods that change with the day of the week.
Fuglen Coffee
Address: 1 Chome-16-11 Tomigaya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0063
Fuglen, originally from Oslo, planted its roots in Tokyo in 2012 with its first coffee and cocktail bar.
Now boasting four coffee shops in Tokyo, each one showcases Fuglen’s signature retro charm and Scandinavian style. Their local presence also includes one of their two roasteries in Tokyo. By evening, Fuglen transforms into a cocktail bar.
Unlimited Coffee Bar
Address: 1 Chome-18-2 Narihira, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0002
Rena Hirai and Daicha Matsubara, experts in barista arts and roasting, joined forces to create Unlimited Coffee Bar in Oshiage.
Located near the Skytree, Unlimited Coffee Bar offers a delightful cappuccino for those returning from the breathtaking skyline views. Although their roastery is an hour’s walk away in Arakawa, they chose Oshiage to serve both locals and tourists, creating a fantastic opportunity to share Japanese coffee culture.
% ARABICA
Address: 〒106-0041 Tokyo, Minato City, Azabudai, 1 Chome−3−1 ヒルズタワープラザ 4F
In the urban village of Azabudai Hills, you’ll find two striking coffee shops with distinctive all-white interiors.
Founded by Kenneth Shoji, % Arabica began in Kyoto and has since revolutionised the coffee scene, emerging as Japan’s answer to Blue Bottle. The brand recently opened its first two locations in Tokyo.
As in all their shops, % Arabica Tokyo features countertop coffee grinders as a hallmark, allowing customers to have their beans ground on the spot.
Onibus
Address: 2 Chome-14-1 Kamimeguro, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0051
With four locations throughout Tokyo, Onibus caters mainly to takeaway customers. From a quaint espresso stand in Nakameguro to a more spacious café in Jiyugaoka, Onibus serves classic hand-drip coffee, espresso varieties, and white coffee options. Their small roastery in Yakumo, along with a tiny seating area and coffee stand, makes Onibus a noteworthy destination for those seeking excellence in Tokyo’s coffee scene.
Allpress Espresso
Address: 3 Chome-7-2 Hirano, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0023
The brutalist façade of Allpress Espresso is hard to ignore. The New Zealand chain’s Tokyo shop is set in a repurposed warehouse in Fukagawa.
The shop features a roastery section and a cosy café offering a selection of espresso, flat whites, and cappuccinos. Enjoy the specialty coffee, industrial style, and relaxed yet refined New Zealand ambience in the heart of Tokyo.
Heart’s Light Coffee
Address: 〒150-0045 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Shinsencho, 13−13 ヒルズ渋谷 1階
Finding coffee in Shibuya might be simple, but venturing into the quieter streets of Shinsencho could lead you to Heart’s Light Coffee. This charming café serves outstanding brews and creates a serene atmosphere with its extensive vinyl record collection, playing records on turntables to keep things interesting. You might even find a record to take home with your coffee purchase.
A striking copper-plated roaster from Turkey is visible behind the counter, delivering excellent roasts. Their signature blend features a light roast crafted from a blend of Panama and Papua New Guinea beans.
Blue Bottle Coffee
Address: 1 Chome-7-3 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0041
Arguably the most prominent specialty coffee presence in Tokyo, Blue Bottle has 14 coffee shops across the city, so you’re never far from one. It’s also the only coffee shop in Ginza featured on this list.
Blue Bottle custom roasts every coffee to highlight its unique flavour profile. Since its arrival in Tokyo in 2015, it has become a hotspot for coffee lovers throughout the city.
Additionally, Blue Bottle Coffee Tokyo collaborated with Human Made, the fashion brand by renowned designer NIGO, for a unique coffee experience in Jingumae.
Leaves Coffee Roasters
Address: 1 Chome-8-8 Honjo, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0004
In Tokyo’s sumo district of Ryogoku, a green façade hides the allure of Leaves Coffee Roasters, a small, modern coffee shop.
Open only three days a week, the rest of the time is reserved for roasting. With founder Yasuo Ishii aiming to become a world champion roaster, expect nothing but top quality. Their two German roasting machines work around the clock to roast beans, mainly sourced from Kenya and Ethiopia.
As an added bonus, a 7-minute walk from the roastery leads to Leaves Coffee Apartment, a delightful coffee stand serving delicious hand-drip brews.
Bear Pond Espresso
Address: 〒155-0031 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−36−12 ベアーポンド
Bear Pond Espresso stands out as Tokyo’s most distinctive coffee shop, with explicit rules: no photos, no lingering, and leave your MacBook at home. Enjoy your coffee and then move on.
Located in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo’s vintage haven, Bear Pond Espresso is a favourite among coffee enthusiasts. Founded by Katsu Tanaka after years in New York City, the shop reflects his passion for perfectly brewed coffee. The standout recommendation is the “Flower Child” espresso blend, offering a nuanced profile with hints of spice, saltiness, and a velvety texture, complemented by subtle dark chocolate undertones.
There you have it. This list of our favourite coffee spots in Tokyo should kickstart your coffee journey in the world’s most vibrant city. Don’t miss out on any spontaneous coffee finds along the way, as Tokyo is overflowing with passionate cafés.