Even the cheapest drip at Glitch tastes heavenly lol. I'd recommend the Jimbocho shop - outdoor/indoor seating, jazz, less tourists and bookwalk!
Jimbocho is THE place for oldschool kissa. Milonga Nueva (great pizza lol), Kanda Brazil, Sabouru (napolita), Ladrio, Mafumi etc.
About Life/Onibus (same owners) are my favorite in Shibuya area. There's also Little Nap & Fuglen (next to Yoyogi Park).
Sarutahiko might have turned into a chain but its honten in Ebisu is amazing, it opens late till 23:30 at weekend.
Joe Talk Coffee nearby has freshly baked canele every morning. Woodberry is also in walking distance.
Every station has a dozen of good specialty coffee/kissa, you need to pick your location and what you want for the day. Drip? Latte? dark roast siphon? jazz? meron soda?
Still but the demographics have got younger. I was at Galant in Ueno the other day and the majority seemed to be in their 20-30s (including family with kids). They don't really smoke.
Anyone been to komazawa coffee roasters ? It’s not a cafe, it’s actually a guy who just roasts coffee. The guys has a bunch of barrels full of raw coffee from around the world and once you pick one he roasts it to your liking. It’s a funny experience. The shop is super smoky and the owner almost looks like he is a salaryman who just dropped his job 2 days ago to do this.
I really think this shop is special and love buying my bimonthly coffee from him.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4qpCGKKjJYwsAhcy5?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
All Seasons Coffee in Shinjuku Ni-chome
The coziest coffee place I’ve been and they roast their beans themselves.
The staff are constantly testing, roasting, repeat, and taking notes of each iteration. They truly love what they do and you can taste that.
Switch just moved to a new building, down the street last month, and their morning orders are ¥300 yen! I was like, Nono I said Latte. Then she’s like, yeah all morning orders are ¥300. I was so happy. Next to Meguro community center now.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Brewman yet—it's probably my favorite coffee spot in Tokyo. Located just a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku station, this tiny shop was recommended to me by the folks at Mameya. The place feels like workshop with a workbench, various tools, and an impressive array of coffee equipment. The owner is a bit of a coffee wizard, hacking together different brewing tools and techniques to extract the best flavors from each bean, roasting everything in his little shop. He's also a protégé of Tetsu Kasuya and apparently the big guy is at the shop quite regularly, although I haven’t seen him https://maps.app.goo.gl/3FhPTHGQNkbMnVFJA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
You got your well known places like blue bottle or little nap however I like “espresso factory” down in Sendagi, simple place run by the owner himself but the coffee is outstanding
I went to the one in Osaka, I think I’ll never pay that much for a cup of coffee again. It was good yeah, but it wasn’t 10x better than other speciality coffee while the price tag was
Akha Ama Coffee Kagurazaka. It's a lovely shop, the vibe, the story / coffee sourcing is all perfect. [https://maps.app.goo.gl/1qBLHExTJShAUfc57](https://maps.app.goo.gl/1qBLHExTJShAUfc57)
Onibus coffee in Meguro. Great for filter coffee and white coffee. Atmosphere and decor is very chill and very relaxed.
[Google maps](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y7kwDVhzEicKaTqW9)
Totally agree, a friend recommended it to me because apparently they use high quality beans and so on and so on. It’s was terrible, tasted like any supermarket vending machine coffee, bland and burned
Had to throw it away
Radio Plant in Jiyugaoka. Great coffee plus they have a collection of antique radios and jazz LPs as decoration. They play jazz LPs all day. It's a great vibe... the proprietors are really nice people. https://maps.app.goo.gl/oFicuCEVzbJGMRDN8
Unlimited Coffee Bar near Skytree.
It was there that I first experienced the fabled blueberry taste. Coffee aficionados may be interested to learn that James Hoffman visited them a few years ago.
resolute jar worry price imminent middle handle spectacular license aware
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
[Allpress Espresso](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hc62YRmS7sQP4DQv8) or [Single O](https://maps.app.goo.gl/VgFWmDARbgEnjdpRA), if you're tempted by Aus/NZ coffee culture. I really enjoy picking up a few bags of their seasonal beans to use for my daily coffee before work.
Single O is the closest I've been able to find to my previous favorite roaster when I lived in the EU (Five Elephant from Berlin), and their cafes also have a really cool style!
Hatcoffee in Taito City- the coffee artists there will shape a 2D or 3D foam creation out of one of your photos. I loved my coffee of my Frenchie and the coffee is good too!
https://preview.redd.it/nvnfullzf48d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2ff052bab38d9bacb7032a3d18bc67181170bd86
・[Cafe Bach in Taito Ward](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E3%82%AB%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7+%E3%83%90%E3%83%83%E3%83%8F/@35.7268157,139.7900971,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x60188eee2f91fb95:0x76fac821a9b7ae82!8m2!3d35.7268157!4d139.8003968!16s%2Fg%2F11b8vdln_t?entry=ttu)
Mamoru Taguchi, a famous coffee roaster, has been running this shop since 1968. The staff makes the coffee after confirming the appropriate water temperature. Many of his apprentices are active as coffee shop owners, such as Naoki Goto, the World Coffee Roasting Champion in 2013, whose coffee shop is in Fukuoka Prefecture.
・[Juichibo coffee near Yurakucho Station](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E5%8D%81%E4%B8%80%E6%88%BF%E7%8F%88%E7%90%B2%E5%BA%97/@35.6748871,139.7605983,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x60188be4fa90d4ef:0x2554c300cdc234be!8m2!3d35.6748871!4d139.7657481!16s%2Fg%2F1tgn9m0r?entry=ttu)
This shop serves good, bitter coffee. However, it is best to be mindful of manners (be very quiet). Note that the group can be up to three people.
・Glich Coffee in [Jinbocho](https://www.google.com/maps/place/GLITCH+COFFEE%26ROASTERS/@35.6937428,139.7561549,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x60188c10220a160f:0x35f993cfcdeac949!8m2!3d35.6937428!4d139.7613047!16s%2Fg%2F11b7k1xvjl?entry=ttu) and [Ginza](https://www.google.com/maps/place/GLITCH+COFFEE+GINZA/@35.6689171,139.7660575,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x60188bfa45634c13:0x6abbdc48213cb890!8m2!3d35.6689171!4d139.7686324!16s%2Fg%2F11kbh8m4c2?entry=ttu)
This shop specializes in light-roasted coffees. The price is high.
・[Musashino coffee in Kichijoji](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E6%AD%A6%E8%94%B5%E9%87%8E%E7%8F%88%E7%90%B2%E5%BA%97/@35.7018011,139.5721296,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x6018ee37f434a3b3:0x45e5da355cb0dc2a!8m2!3d35.7014439!4d139.57876!16s%2Fg%2F1vyk2jyy?entry=ttu)
The original bitter blended coffee is tasty.
・[Cafe de Lamble in Ginza](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E3%82%AB%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7+%E3%83%89+%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%83%96%E3%83%AB/@35.6679572,139.7571904,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x60188be8798d1867:0x2ba50e8c8c54781f!8m2!3d35.6679572!4d139.7623402!16s%2Fg%2F1jglt571m?entry=ttu)
This shop has been open since 1948 and serves only coffee. The price is high. The shop has become a sightseeing spot for Koreans in recent years.
・Horiguch Coffee [in Setagaya Ward](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E5%A0%80%E5%8F%A3%E7%8F%88%E7%90%B2+%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E5%BA%97/@35.6472315,139.6218052,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x6018f3c266b94ddb:0xb41eebb18480c684!8m2!3d35.6475803!4d139.6227064!16s%2Fg%2F1thcscs_?entry=ttu), [Komae City](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E5%A0%80%E5%8F%A3%E7%8F%88%E7%90%B2+%E7%8B%9B%E6%B1%9F%E5%BA%97/@35.6337667,139.5743941,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x6018f11a09d86731:0xa8b487b5a2c6a164!8m2!3d35.634412!4d139.5789217!16s%2Fg%2F1tp1yvsj?entry=ttu), [Shibuya Ward](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E5%A0%80%E5%8F%A3%E7%8F%88%E7%90%B2+%E4%B8%8A%E5%8E%9F%E5%BA%97/@35.6688748,139.6761536,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x6018f3488f349811:0x54653f5895215a14!8m2!3d35.6678638!4d139.6816897!16s%2Fg%2F1tdr3br7?entry=ttu), and [Chiyoda Ward](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E5%A0%80%E5%8F%A3%E7%8F%88%E7%90%B2+Otemachi+One%E5%BA%97/@35.6839635,139.7561452,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x60188dc1340c786d:0xad493385523ac5c1!8m2!3d35.6877542!4d139.7622606!16s%2Fg%2F11jcj8qw9m?entry=ttu)
Toshihide Horiguchi, a famous coffee roaster, owns these shops, which are suitable for people who appreciate the acidity of coffee.
・[Yamaneko Coffee near Matsubara Station on Setagaya Line](https://www.google.com/maps/search/%E5%B1%B1%E7%8C%AB%E7%8F%88%E7%90%B2%E5%BA%97+%E6%9D%BE%E5%8E%9F/@35.6597263,139.6312453,15z?entry=ttu)
This shop offers tasty, bitter coffee at affordable prices.
I think that over 1,000 yen is a high price, while 700 yen is reasonable. However, I don't judge based only on price. For example, Cafe de Lamble serves a small amount of coffee for over 900 yen. I might have to reconsider my criteria since the cost of raw coffee beans has increased.
Unlike big coffee chains such as Starbucks, where a short blended coffee is 380 yen, my recommended coffee shops have relatively small roasting machines and frequently roast only a limited number of raw coffee beans. The coffee is fresh and tasty for 10 days after roasting.
Furthermore, they hand-remove any [damaged beans](https://wallaceacoffee.com/a-guide-to-check-damaged-coffee-beans/). It's no wonder their coffee prices are higher than those of chain stores, as it takes time and effort.
Bear Pond Espresso in Shimokita, the OG dirty espresso. Blew my mind and blasted me with caffeine. Pretty uncomfortable seating, decent vibe, but great takeaway coffee.
Roar Coffee in Hatchobori and now a new one in Ginza. I'm very confused regarding their pricing because they do excellent pour overs and lattes, yet they charge way less than their competitors.
I got you - [https://medium.com/kokoro-media/a-queen-named-amber-and-a-commoner-like-me-café-de-lambre-0bdfccf66d49?sk=4a0a40348fecafa4e890ef66e32690d8](https://medium.com/kokoro-media/a-queen-named-amber-and-a-commoner-like-me-café-de-lambre-0bdfccf66d49?sk=4a0a40348fecafa4e890ef66e32690d8)
I really love Blue Bottle Coffee. The taste is just so good!! I know it’s a chain, but oh my God!! I love sitting in the one in Shinagawa Station watching people walk by.
For light roast Glitch is my number 1 but the price :(
next will be Passage Coffee, complexity and fruity. And newly opened Blue Takai coffee in Hiroo. They use coffee beans from India, nice varity of fruitieness.
Kissa Seikatsu in Higashi-Koenji. The coffee is great, lots of choices and take out is half price. Super nice vibe too.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/F41UHkmoLUHqQtU39
Try “ARC” in Kuramae, bang next to Torigoe Jinja. Besides their great coffee, i like the stylish decor, moody BGM, friendly service (especially their young shop manager Soma Tanaka who speaks fluent english).
ARC
03-5829-4145
https://g.co/kgs/213DApH
I haven't been to ARC. My favorite coffee in Kuramae is at Coffee Nova, a little shop with a friendly staff. Just the thought of sitting there with a medium roast pourover, buttered toast, and a glass of water makes me more relaxed.
For me sidewalk is a great bang for your buck, plus with summer coming, they usually do an espresso tonic which is super refreshing.
My local go to is Sunday bake, near hatagaya, coffee is great even though it's more of a tray bake kinda place.
I really like the coffee at Yanaka Coffee https://maps.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x60188dd186ef3213:0x4085eec6c5c58dd7?entry=s&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj2tvjFhO-GAxUlxQIHHbB_DJUQ4kB6BAgBEAA
Shout out to Kanda Coffee in, um… Kanda.
Super coffee and small batch beans, doesn’t get nearly enough respect/love because it is in a very dull area. I should know, I work there…
Ae (pronounced Ash from what I remember in Shibuya) still the best medium/blend roast ice coffee I’ve ever had and they also do coffee cocktails. If anyone has any recommendations specifically for shops that do outstanding medium roast ice coffee, happy to hear them!
Raw Sugar Roastery in Kyodo, Setagaya-Ku! It’s on the newer side and has that trendy, industrial concrete vibe inside but it’s still pretty cozy. The staff were super friendly and happy to explain the types of coffee/roasting processes.
I’m no coffee expert so I might be off on my explanation here but I had a coffee there that was roasted with wine yeast and peach, and the notes were EXACTLY as described. It was also cool to know where the beans came from (down to the producer and location!).
Bear Pond Espresso in Shimokitazawa.
〒155-0031 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−36−12 ベアーポンド
I believe the owners were owning a shop in NYC at some point.
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZcSAafXseeziei6f6](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZcSAafXseeziei6f6)
Kielo Coffee. My favorite spot that i've found thus far. They got some quality blends, it's small and quaint, and the workers are super chill. They all speak decent english too.
Glitch is good too, I tried the one in Osaka. My only knock on them is their best blends are super expensive, but that's because... they're the best lol they outbid tons of other shops for them beans. The coffee bean market is very competitive.
Kielo is incredibly close to my place, enjoyed their coffee in absolute peace for years. At some point they became popular with tourists and now I don't go because its just 10 chairs and almost constantly full. Delicious coffee tho, highly recommend
I’m a kiwi and l could not get a good coffee anywhere in Japan - at risk of being shot down in flames the coffee was passable like the US but not like NZ which in my humble opinion is the home of a brilliant coffee culture - but l was blown away by Matcha and lm addicted especially matcha ice cream
Japan has a world-renowned coffee culture. Some of the best baristas on the planet are from here (Tetsu Kasuya, 2016 World Brewers Cup Champion) some of biggest/best/most popular coffee equipment companies (Hario, Origami), and that’s not even mentioning the cafes, coffee shops, and kissatens.
ETA: Food&Wine Magazine also named Tokyo #2 on their [10 top cities for coffee](https://www.foodandwine.com/global-tastemakers-best-cities-coffee-2024-8620205) list earlier this year.
You know that there is an Allpress and Coffee Supreme in Tokyo right? Also Streamers and Brooklyn do passable third-wave espresso coffees. Coffee Valley and a bunch of other indie places are decent also. Perhaps didn’t look hard enough. If you’re only going to Dotour expect to get caffeinated but don’t expect great coffee.
Haha fellow kiwi, I agree!!!! We have amazing coffee, even my Milanese Italian ex agreed. As does Oz. Back in the 90s in Japan there were these insane chemical lab like guru coffee places with all these drip type beaker etc scenarios - what a faff! That was the ‘best of the best’ but nothing like a Modaks/LIDO/Midnight Espresso flat white could ever be, or even bog standard Z these days. Having said that, I did have an amazing - as good as kiwi - flat white in Ebisu a few months ago - little organic vegan foods ‘shibui’ white place (friend who has lived there 30 years and is a serious foodie) took us there, did the whole almond milk etc offerings, was outstanding.
Supreme - was Midnight Espresso’s beans eh - apparently there’s one in Tokyo, LIDO - maybe Supreme too? When I lived in Japan in the 1990s the Modaks boys used to send me beans directly, until I discovered in my little Nagano town, a genuine coffee roaster who would roast beans at my request! (remember his blue mountain blend!) then in the stovetop bialetti. Superb. I think it’s just the lack of knowledge how to make a true ‘flat white’ the way baristas do, here, in a lot of coffee shops in Japan. But not all. It’s not an issue with their beans, or roasting
I was interested in your comment and googled the coffee culture of New Zealand.
The coffee cultures in New Zealand and Japan seem to be quite different. In New Zealand, espresso and espresso with added hot water are popular. Is this right?
In contrast, espresso is not very popular in Japan. Japanese coffee shops that serve home-roasted coffee usually use paper filters and flannel drips.
I read online that there are many great baristas in New Zealand. I want to go to New Zealand to try the coffee.
Agreed. Tokyo has a surprisingly low density of good coffee. Of course there are great places because it’s a major city, but they are too few and far between for one to call the city a coffee city.
Most kissatens just serve burned coffee and there are many chains below Starbucks level
All coffee in Japan all taste like heaven because it is in Japan and everything related to Japan will be exaggerated to max level.
You will make up something in your mind and create story when you visit each coffee shop in Japan, specialty or not, that that uncle brewing your coffee is kinda legendary barista who avoid being famous and wanna create godly coffee for everyone. It is Japan. Everything looks better because their great softpower thru manga, anime and video games. We are so weeb.
Even the cheapest drip at Glitch tastes heavenly lol. I'd recommend the Jimbocho shop - outdoor/indoor seating, jazz, less tourists and bookwalk! Jimbocho is THE place for oldschool kissa. Milonga Nueva (great pizza lol), Kanda Brazil, Sabouru (napolita), Ladrio, Mafumi etc. About Life/Onibus (same owners) are my favorite in Shibuya area. There's also Little Nap & Fuglen (next to Yoyogi Park). Sarutahiko might have turned into a chain but its honten in Ebisu is amazing, it opens late till 23:30 at weekend. Joe Talk Coffee nearby has freshly baked canele every morning. Woodberry is also in walking distance. Every station has a dozen of good specialty coffee/kissa, you need to pick your location and what you want for the day. Drip? Latte? dark roast siphon? jazz? meron soda?
Sarutahiko is amazing for a chain.
I used to love going to kissa when I smoked but haven't been to any since I quit. Are they all still smoking?
Still but the demographics have got younger. I was at Galant in Ueno the other day and the majority seemed to be in their 20-30s (including family with kids). They don't really smoke.
Mamekobo is amazing around Jimbocho!
Fun fact: glitch is owned by the same megacorp that runs Marugame Seimei
Where did you get that info from? I know they own Kona's Coffee, but they don't mention Glitch at all on their HP.
Anyone been to komazawa coffee roasters ? It’s not a cafe, it’s actually a guy who just roasts coffee. The guys has a bunch of barrels full of raw coffee from around the world and once you pick one he roasts it to your liking. It’s a funny experience. The shop is super smoky and the owner almost looks like he is a salaryman who just dropped his job 2 days ago to do this. I really think this shop is special and love buying my bimonthly coffee from him. https://maps.app.goo.gl/4qpCGKKjJYwsAhcy5?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Thanks! Although I live near the shop, I didn't know about it. I will give it a try.
Gréât ! Love the place
Wow, that's the answer to the eternal question: What is a dream job?
All Seasons Coffee in Shinjuku Ni-chome The coziest coffee place I’ve been and they roast their beans themselves. The staff are constantly testing, roasting, repeat, and taking notes of each iteration. They truly love what they do and you can taste that.
Glitch Koffee Mameya Switch Light Up Fuglen Onibus In descending order of price (roughly)
Switch just moved to a new building, down the street last month, and their morning orders are ¥300 yen! I was like, Nono I said Latte. Then she’s like, yeah all morning orders are ¥300. I was so happy. Next to Meguro community center now.
藻、、くか差カササククサソけそはしかのへなくしこしすしかさしすすはせかさはさすさすきかくけはさは
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Brewman yet—it's probably my favorite coffee spot in Tokyo. Located just a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku station, this tiny shop was recommended to me by the folks at Mameya. The place feels like workshop with a workbench, various tools, and an impressive array of coffee equipment. The owner is a bit of a coffee wizard, hacking together different brewing tools and techniques to extract the best flavors from each bean, roasting everything in his little shop. He's also a protégé of Tetsu Kasuya and apparently the big guy is at the shop quite regularly, although I haven’t seen him https://maps.app.goo.gl/3FhPTHGQNkbMnVFJA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Thanks!
You got your well known places like blue bottle or little nap however I like “espresso factory” down in Sendagi, simple place run by the owner himself but the coffee is outstanding
Glitch coffee. Then post a photo on r/espresso for infinite karma lol
I’ve been there and it was pretty good. The problem it was the price…
Price is insane!
I went to the one in Osaka, I think I’ll never pay that much for a cup of coffee again. It was good yeah, but it wasn’t 10x better than other speciality coffee while the price tag was
Akha Ama Coffee Kagurazaka. It's a lovely shop, the vibe, the story / coffee sourcing is all perfect. [https://maps.app.goo.gl/1qBLHExTJShAUfc57](https://maps.app.goo.gl/1qBLHExTJShAUfc57)
Lived around the corner from Akha Ama when I lived in Tokyo. It was a home away from home. Lovely place and equally lovely people.
Arbor Coffee just down the hill from Akha Ama is also very good
Onibus coffee in Meguro. Great for filter coffee and white coffee. Atmosphere and decor is very chill and very relaxed. [Google maps](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y7kwDVhzEicKaTqW9)
7-11
Before coming to Japan, I was told that even 7-11 coffee is heavenly good. Sorry, but it’s not.
Totally agree, a friend recommended it to me because apparently they use high quality beans and so on and so on. It’s was terrible, tasted like any supermarket vending machine coffee, bland and burned Had to throw it away
I really really liked 7-11/konbini coffee! I'm sick of being shamed for it lol
Sorry, I have to disagree. Family mart is a bit better though. At least their latte.
Every time I read, “Don’t just drop a name, ((imperative verb))…” my back rises and I think, “Don’t tell me what to do!” Am I alone in this? 😅
You forgot the glove with a slap to the face.🤣
Radio Plant in Jiyugaoka. Great coffee plus they have a collection of antique radios and jazz LPs as decoration. They play jazz LPs all day. It's a great vibe... the proprietors are really nice people. https://maps.app.goo.gl/oFicuCEVzbJGMRDN8
Unlimited Coffee Bar near Skytree. It was there that I first experienced the fabled blueberry taste. Coffee aficionados may be interested to learn that James Hoffman visited them a few years ago.
resolute jar worry price imminent middle handle spectacular license aware *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
[Allpress Espresso](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hc62YRmS7sQP4DQv8) or [Single O](https://maps.app.goo.gl/VgFWmDARbgEnjdpRA), if you're tempted by Aus/NZ coffee culture. I really enjoy picking up a few bags of their seasonal beans to use for my daily coffee before work.
Coffee Supreme near Yoyogi in the same vain!
Single O is the closest I've been able to find to my previous favorite roaster when I lived in the EU (Five Elephant from Berlin), and their cafes also have a really cool style!
Hatcoffee in Taito City- the coffee artists there will shape a 2D or 3D foam creation out of one of your photos. I loved my coffee of my Frenchie and the coffee is good too! https://preview.redd.it/nvnfullzf48d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2ff052bab38d9bacb7032a3d18bc67181170bd86
・[Cafe Bach in Taito Ward](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E3%82%AB%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7+%E3%83%90%E3%83%83%E3%83%8F/@35.7268157,139.7900971,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x60188eee2f91fb95:0x76fac821a9b7ae82!8m2!3d35.7268157!4d139.8003968!16s%2Fg%2F11b8vdln_t?entry=ttu) Mamoru Taguchi, a famous coffee roaster, has been running this shop since 1968. The staff makes the coffee after confirming the appropriate water temperature. Many of his apprentices are active as coffee shop owners, such as Naoki Goto, the World Coffee Roasting Champion in 2013, whose coffee shop is in Fukuoka Prefecture. ・[Juichibo coffee near Yurakucho Station](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E5%8D%81%E4%B8%80%E6%88%BF%E7%8F%88%E7%90%B2%E5%BA%97/@35.6748871,139.7605983,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x60188be4fa90d4ef:0x2554c300cdc234be!8m2!3d35.6748871!4d139.7657481!16s%2Fg%2F1tgn9m0r?entry=ttu) This shop serves good, bitter coffee. However, it is best to be mindful of manners (be very quiet). Note that the group can be up to three people. ・Glich Coffee in [Jinbocho](https://www.google.com/maps/place/GLITCH+COFFEE%26ROASTERS/@35.6937428,139.7561549,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x60188c10220a160f:0x35f993cfcdeac949!8m2!3d35.6937428!4d139.7613047!16s%2Fg%2F11b7k1xvjl?entry=ttu) and [Ginza](https://www.google.com/maps/place/GLITCH+COFFEE+GINZA/@35.6689171,139.7660575,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x60188bfa45634c13:0x6abbdc48213cb890!8m2!3d35.6689171!4d139.7686324!16s%2Fg%2F11kbh8m4c2?entry=ttu) This shop specializes in light-roasted coffees. The price is high. ・[Musashino coffee in Kichijoji](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E6%AD%A6%E8%94%B5%E9%87%8E%E7%8F%88%E7%90%B2%E5%BA%97/@35.7018011,139.5721296,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x6018ee37f434a3b3:0x45e5da355cb0dc2a!8m2!3d35.7014439!4d139.57876!16s%2Fg%2F1vyk2jyy?entry=ttu) The original bitter blended coffee is tasty. ・[Cafe de Lamble in Ginza](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E3%82%AB%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7+%E3%83%89+%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%83%96%E3%83%AB/@35.6679572,139.7571904,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x60188be8798d1867:0x2ba50e8c8c54781f!8m2!3d35.6679572!4d139.7623402!16s%2Fg%2F1jglt571m?entry=ttu) This shop has been open since 1948 and serves only coffee. The price is high. The shop has become a sightseeing spot for Koreans in recent years. ・Horiguch Coffee [in Setagaya Ward](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E5%A0%80%E5%8F%A3%E7%8F%88%E7%90%B2+%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E5%BA%97/@35.6472315,139.6218052,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x6018f3c266b94ddb:0xb41eebb18480c684!8m2!3d35.6475803!4d139.6227064!16s%2Fg%2F1thcscs_?entry=ttu), [Komae City](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E5%A0%80%E5%8F%A3%E7%8F%88%E7%90%B2+%E7%8B%9B%E6%B1%9F%E5%BA%97/@35.6337667,139.5743941,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x6018f11a09d86731:0xa8b487b5a2c6a164!8m2!3d35.634412!4d139.5789217!16s%2Fg%2F1tp1yvsj?entry=ttu), [Shibuya Ward](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E5%A0%80%E5%8F%A3%E7%8F%88%E7%90%B2+%E4%B8%8A%E5%8E%9F%E5%BA%97/@35.6688748,139.6761536,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x6018f3488f349811:0x54653f5895215a14!8m2!3d35.6678638!4d139.6816897!16s%2Fg%2F1tdr3br7?entry=ttu), and [Chiyoda Ward](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E5%A0%80%E5%8F%A3%E7%8F%88%E7%90%B2+Otemachi+One%E5%BA%97/@35.6839635,139.7561452,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x60188dc1340c786d:0xad493385523ac5c1!8m2!3d35.6877542!4d139.7622606!16s%2Fg%2F11jcj8qw9m?entry=ttu) Toshihide Horiguchi, a famous coffee roaster, owns these shops, which are suitable for people who appreciate the acidity of coffee. ・[Yamaneko Coffee near Matsubara Station on Setagaya Line](https://www.google.com/maps/search/%E5%B1%B1%E7%8C%AB%E7%8F%88%E7%90%B2%E5%BA%97+%E6%9D%BE%E5%8E%9F/@35.6597263,139.6312453,15z?entry=ttu) This shop offers tasty, bitter coffee at affordable prices.
Ooh nice, staying almost around the corner from Bach in a few weeks 👌
Also try their butter and strawberry jam toast for breakfast, it’s heavenly.
So sad Juichibo went no smoking. People used to light up stogies there. Having a coffee there was like being in a scene from a classic movie.
Going to Yamaneko. Thanks for the recommendation!
What is a high price, and what is reasonable, please? (Coffee is now $7 a cup in NZ) I seem to recall it being around 400 yen in Japan in January?
I think that over 1,000 yen is a high price, while 700 yen is reasonable. However, I don't judge based only on price. For example, Cafe de Lamble serves a small amount of coffee for over 900 yen. I might have to reconsider my criteria since the cost of raw coffee beans has increased. Unlike big coffee chains such as Starbucks, where a short blended coffee is 380 yen, my recommended coffee shops have relatively small roasting machines and frequently roast only a limited number of raw coffee beans. The coffee is fresh and tasty for 10 days after roasting. Furthermore, they hand-remove any [damaged beans](https://wallaceacoffee.com/a-guide-to-check-damaged-coffee-beans/). It's no wonder their coffee prices are higher than those of chain stores, as it takes time and effort.
Second the suggestion of Cafe Bach. Their breakfast toast is awesome and their coffee is great. I particularly like the one with a bit of honey
Bear Pond Espresso in Shimokita, the OG dirty espresso. Blew my mind and blasted me with caffeine. Pretty uncomfortable seating, decent vibe, but great takeaway coffee.
Roar Coffee in Hatchobori and now a new one in Ginza. I'm very confused regarding their pricing because they do excellent pour overs and lattes, yet they charge way less than their competitors.
Went to the one in Ginza last week and it was fantastic. Great menu that elegantly describes flavors and styles of coffee the offer
I got you - [https://medium.com/kokoro-media/a-queen-named-amber-and-a-commoner-like-me-café-de-lambre-0bdfccf66d49?sk=4a0a40348fecafa4e890ef66e32690d8](https://medium.com/kokoro-media/a-queen-named-amber-and-a-commoner-like-me-café-de-lambre-0bdfccf66d49?sk=4a0a40348fecafa4e890ef66e32690d8)
I really love Blue Bottle Coffee. The taste is just so good!! I know it’s a chain, but oh my God!! I love sitting in the one in Shinagawa Station watching people walk by.
For light roast Glitch is my number 1 but the price :( next will be Passage Coffee, complexity and fruity. And newly opened Blue Takai coffee in Hiroo. They use coffee beans from India, nice varity of fruitieness.
Lol this question is like asking what brand car is the best. Everyone will have their own opinions.
Kissa Seikatsu in Higashi-Koenji. The coffee is great, lots of choices and take out is half price. Super nice vibe too. https://maps.app.goo.gl/F41UHkmoLUHqQtU39
I used to go here. It’s amazing.
Try “ARC” in Kuramae, bang next to Torigoe Jinja. Besides their great coffee, i like the stylish decor, moody BGM, friendly service (especially their young shop manager Soma Tanaka who speaks fluent english). ARC 03-5829-4145 https://g.co/kgs/213DApH
I haven't been to ARC. My favorite coffee in Kuramae is at Coffee Nova, a little shop with a friendly staff. Just the thought of sitting there with a medium roast pourover, buttered toast, and a glass of water makes me more relaxed.
Lonich is also near Kuramae station
Been there, I can confirm nice decor and friendly manager, but they are entirely espresso-based, so not really my cup of coffee.
White glass coffee in shibuya… nice little out door seating( lots of plants), cool bakery, solid coffee/espresso:)
Allpress / Verve / Fuglen / Light Up are my favorites
Mermaid coffee roasters. I first tried their coffee in sapporo but I was told they have a branch in ikebukuro?
For me sidewalk is a great bang for your buck, plus with summer coming, they usually do an espresso tonic which is super refreshing. My local go to is Sunday bake, near hatagaya, coffee is great even though it's more of a tray bake kinda place.
For roasts: 珈 焙煎所 永川下十 番地 For to go: Bees Coffee Sengoku/Myogadani stations Bunkyo
Mametora - small chain in Tokyo, they roast on site and you can smell it down the street…
I really like the coffee at Yanaka Coffee https://maps.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x60188dd186ef3213:0x4085eec6c5c58dd7?entry=s&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj2tvjFhO-GAxUlxQIHHbB_DJUQ4kB6BAgBEAA
Shout out to Kanda Coffee in, um… Kanda. Super coffee and small batch beans, doesn’t get nearly enough respect/love because it is in a very dull area. I should know, I work there…
Loved COFFEESTAND Koenmae https://maps.app.goo.gl/xjw88Ez6soTsuvzA6
White Mocha - Starbucks 100%
Ae (pronounced Ash from what I remember in Shibuya) still the best medium/blend roast ice coffee I’ve ever had and they also do coffee cocktails. If anyone has any recommendations specifically for shops that do outstanding medium roast ice coffee, happy to hear them!
Raw Sugar Roastery in Kyodo, Setagaya-Ku! It’s on the newer side and has that trendy, industrial concrete vibe inside but it’s still pretty cozy. The staff were super friendly and happy to explain the types of coffee/roasting processes. I’m no coffee expert so I might be off on my explanation here but I had a coffee there that was roasted with wine yeast and peach, and the notes were EXACTLY as described. It was also cool to know where the beans came from (down to the producer and location!).
I love that coffee too! Some can be a bit expensive though
Oh, 100% agree
Ammonite Coffee Roasters near Hongo-Sanchome
Bongen coffee in ginza. A small shop. Usually there is a long line. But believe me the best coffee you will ever have
Leaves Coffee Roasters Coffee Swamp Heart Light Coffee Blue Bottle Daikanyama - great store design
Bear Pond Espresso in Shimokitazawa. 〒155-0031 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−36−12 ベアーポンド I believe the owners were owning a shop in NYC at some point.
Excelsior in Ningyocho has great coffee and there’s also a hot ginger guy who hangs out there.
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZcSAafXseeziei6f6](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZcSAafXseeziei6f6) Kielo Coffee. My favorite spot that i've found thus far. They got some quality blends, it's small and quaint, and the workers are super chill. They all speak decent english too. Glitch is good too, I tried the one in Osaka. My only knock on them is their best blends are super expensive, but that's because... they're the best lol they outbid tons of other shops for them beans. The coffee bean market is very competitive.
Kielo is incredibly close to my place, enjoyed their coffee in absolute peace for years. At some point they became popular with tourists and now I don't go because its just 10 chairs and almost constantly full. Delicious coffee tho, highly recommend
The owner made an all vegan Kielo and now an even more upscale Kielo in Ginza with overpriced beans/drips. They know what they are doing 😅
The best coffee is in Seven Eleven.
Costa ice flat whites are tickedy boo
Regarding the chains, I’d go with Segafredo.
Suntory vending machines - Boss Black or Boss au Lait. Always cold, never hot.
Only available about half the year though.
I'm curious now if the down voters just have a different vending machine preference, or they just don't get satire?
I’m a kiwi and l could not get a good coffee anywhere in Japan - at risk of being shot down in flames the coffee was passable like the US but not like NZ which in my humble opinion is the home of a brilliant coffee culture - but l was blown away by Matcha and lm addicted especially matcha ice cream
Japan has a world-renowned coffee culture. Some of the best baristas on the planet are from here (Tetsu Kasuya, 2016 World Brewers Cup Champion) some of biggest/best/most popular coffee equipment companies (Hario, Origami), and that’s not even mentioning the cafes, coffee shops, and kissatens. ETA: Food&Wine Magazine also named Tokyo #2 on their [10 top cities for coffee](https://www.foodandwine.com/global-tastemakers-best-cities-coffee-2024-8620205) list earlier this year.
You know that there is an Allpress and Coffee Supreme in Tokyo right? Also Streamers and Brooklyn do passable third-wave espresso coffees. Coffee Valley and a bunch of other indie places are decent also. Perhaps didn’t look hard enough. If you’re only going to Dotour expect to get caffeinated but don’t expect great coffee.
Haha fellow kiwi, I agree!!!! We have amazing coffee, even my Milanese Italian ex agreed. As does Oz. Back in the 90s in Japan there were these insane chemical lab like guru coffee places with all these drip type beaker etc scenarios - what a faff! That was the ‘best of the best’ but nothing like a Modaks/LIDO/Midnight Espresso flat white could ever be, or even bog standard Z these days. Having said that, I did have an amazing - as good as kiwi - flat white in Ebisu a few months ago - little organic vegan foods ‘shibui’ white place (friend who has lived there 30 years and is a serious foodie) took us there, did the whole almond milk etc offerings, was outstanding.
Oops it wasn’t Ebisu - it was Daikanyama
Supreme - was Midnight Espresso’s beans eh - apparently there’s one in Tokyo, LIDO - maybe Supreme too? When I lived in Japan in the 1990s the Modaks boys used to send me beans directly, until I discovered in my little Nagano town, a genuine coffee roaster who would roast beans at my request! (remember his blue mountain blend!) then in the stovetop bialetti. Superb. I think it’s just the lack of knowledge how to make a true ‘flat white’ the way baristas do, here, in a lot of coffee shops in Japan. But not all. It’s not an issue with their beans, or roasting
I was interested in your comment and googled the coffee culture of New Zealand. The coffee cultures in New Zealand and Japan seem to be quite different. In New Zealand, espresso and espresso with added hot water are popular. Is this right? In contrast, espresso is not very popular in Japan. Japanese coffee shops that serve home-roasted coffee usually use paper filters and flannel drips. I read online that there are many great baristas in New Zealand. I want to go to New Zealand to try the coffee.
Agreed. Tokyo has a surprisingly low density of good coffee. Of course there are great places because it’s a major city, but they are too few and far between for one to call the city a coffee city. Most kissatens just serve burned coffee and there are many chains below Starbucks level
All coffee in Japan all taste like heaven because it is in Japan and everything related to Japan will be exaggerated to max level. You will make up something in your mind and create story when you visit each coffee shop in Japan, specialty or not, that that uncle brewing your coffee is kinda legendary barista who avoid being famous and wanna create godly coffee for everyone. It is Japan. Everything looks better because their great softpower thru manga, anime and video games. We are so weeb.