With Japan’s bustling coffee scene, there is an almost endless list of shops and spots to try. Here is a route of my top 5 favorite spots to get your caffeine fix:
1. Onibus Coffee in Nakameguro is my favorite. A beautiful shop with great coffee, you can enjoy watching the train pass by from their 2nd floor seats or see them roast new batches of beans. They use beautiful ceramic cups. The side wall is also decorated with handmade tiles from Tokoname a known pottery town in Central Japan.
A little out of the way the trip was worth it. Considered as one of the top Tokyo coffee, they also have another branch in Okusawa and are the same owners of About Life Coffee Roasters and Ration Coffee & Cycle. I would suggest venturing out to this shop though. A short walk from Nakameguro Station, the store is beautiful with it’s handmade tiles and mural. Take note too of their beautiful ceramic glass ware. They roast coffee in house. On my visit, I enjoyed my coffee while watching them roast a new batch of beans. Onibus has some seating on the ground floor where the roaster are located. They have a second floor where you can watch the trains go by. If you need burlap sacks, they have a pile you can take for free in front of the store.
From the Okusawa Station, take East Exit 2. You’ll see an Aoyama Flower Market as you get out of the paid area., turn left towards the exit. Turn right at the exit, walking on the side of the Nakameguro Gate town. When you reach the road, turn left and turn right on the next corner. You should see Onibus Coffee on your right in a few minutes.
Website: ONIBUS COFFEE
2. THE LOCAL COFFEE STAND
Take the train to Shibuya Station and head on after to The Local Coffee Stand, just a few blocks from the iconic Shibuya Crossing. This is one of my favorite coffee spots in Tokyo. They’ve got cute interiors and good coffee. It’s a small shop and have just a few tables inside. They also have a 2nd floor (not sure if there are tables there as that section was closed during my visit. Luckily, there were available seats when I went so I was able to enjoy my coffee inside the store. They also have coffee roasting inside the store.
Website: THE LOCAL COFFEE STAND
3. LITTLE NAP COFFEE STAND
Little Nap Coffee Stand is a destination on its own. Just a few blocks from exit 3 of Yoyogi Hachiman station.
I loved their coffee. It’s one of my must visits in Tokyo. Just a small coffee spot, there are just a few seats. They have another branch a few more blocks away.
They also have a few pastries and gelato options.
To get to Little Nap Coffee Stand : From exit # 3 of Yoyogi Hachiman station, when u get out to the street walk to the left towards the slide. On the next corner after park, take a left then turn right on first small street. walk about 2 blocks more and cross the street ( on the corner ).
Website: LITTLE NAP COFFEE
4. Take the train to Omotesando or Meiji Jingumae Station to get to Koffee Mameya.
KOFFEE MAMEYA
For serious coffee drinkers, walk a couple of blocks from Omotesando to Kaffee Mameya. A subtle entrance, you can easily miss this spot. It’s a little tucked away from the rows of shops and has no signage from the outside. Opened by the same man as Omotesando Koffee, Kaffe Mameya has coffee experts that can help you decide which one from the wide variety of beans they offer. They have a chart of the coffee available. Sourced and roasted from different countries, you have a choice from a wide spectrum to pick from. They’ll patiently guide you and explain their menu which I highly appreciated. They speak english well so you won’t have a problem understanding them. Should you arrive with customers already in the counter, stand in the back to wait your turn. Personalized service is provided by the experts so they serve 1 customer at a time.
Don’t expect espresso based beverages as they focus on the brewing. If you want some latte or espresso based beverages, you can visit their sister shop Toranomon Koffee Watch as they carefully brew your chosen coffee by slow drip.
There are no seats inside. You can order a brewed coffee to go and buy coffee beans for home.
A very simple coffee spot, there is only a counter inside the store.
From Koffee Mameya, walk down Aoyami Dori and visit Meiji Shrine at the end of the Road. You can also drop by Takeshita Dori to see the trendy line of shops favoured by teens. There is a good size Daiso too here if you want to do some shopping. You can also enjoy the popular crepe in Harajuku.
Website: KOFFEE MAMEYA
5. End your coffee crawl in either Blue Bottle or Verve Coffee Roasters. Both spots originating from California they’ve got great coffee and conveniently located just steps from the JR Shinjuku New South Exit. Shinjuku area is good spot to do some shopping with it’s multiple stores of BIC, Uniqlo. There is a row of stores of Yodabashi, 2 Don Quijote, a Tower Records, and plenty of 2nd hand designer stores. Shinjuku is a great place to spend the rest of the day. Enjoy your coffee before or after exploring. They’re also just a few blocks from Shinjuku Gyoen Garden. A beautiful garden to visit especially in the fall or spring.
VERVE COFFEE ROASTERS
Conveniently located in the same building as one of bus and taxi terminal of Shinjuku and easy access to the JR Shinjuku station. It’s a great spot to wait or rest between trips and enjoy good coffee. They’ve got plenty of seating inside and offer a good selection of coffee. Check out their cute store merchandise too.
Tip: the store doesnt have a toilet but the building has on the upper floor. Just take the elevator in front of the store to go up to the driveway and tourist office. Toilets are near the Tourist Information office.
Website: VERVE COFFEE ROASTERS
BLUE BOTTLE
From All Seasons walk towards the JR shinjuku station, you’ll pass takashiyama department store on the left. You can see Blue Bottle on the left side of the street. (Same side as Takashiyama Department Store)
Blue Bottle started in Oakland in CA and are known for their good coffee. They have several branches in Tokyo but i love how conveniently located this branch is. It’s a great spot to have coffee in between shopping and exploring Shinjuku. Their cookie was really good too.
Although they have a lot of seats, this branch is often packed. If lucky, you can find a seat or a spot to drink your coffee in the store. You can watch the baristas slowly drip coffee or prepare your espresso based coffee.
Other Branches in Tokyo: Aoyama, Kiyosimu, Nakameguro, Roppongi, Sangenjaya, Shinagawa. in the US, they have branches in los angeles, california, new York, washington DC, Miami & Boston.
Website: BLUE BOTTLE JAPAN
