10 Best Specialty Coffee Shops In Tokyo

It might be a challenge to ignore the Doutor or Tully cafés on every corner, but if you’re looking for the true coffee gems of Tokyo you’ll want to dig a little deeper. Amidst Tokyo’s bustling cityscape, there are tons of charming specialty coffee shops waiting to be uncovered.

We've put together a list of our favourite 10 coffee spots scattered around the city that will enhance your experience of coffee in Tokyo.

10. Glitch Coffee and Roasters

Address: 〒101-0054 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Kanda Nishikicho, 3 Chome−16 香村ビル １階

This coffee shop brings you to the heart of Tokyo’s secondhand book district, Jinbocho.

Founded by Kiyokazu Suzuki, Glitch Coffee was born in 2015 after he dedicated years as the chief barista and head roaster at Paul Bassett. In his own words, Glitch serves specialty single-origin coffee with a light roast to bring out the characters of each origin.

The cozy interior shapes the perfect atmosphere for a break during your jinbocho book quest. You'll always find over 10 coffee bean options at the shop, with which they craft hand drip and espresso drinks using different extraction methods, depending on the day of the week.

© Glitch Coffee & Roasters

9. Fuglen Coffee

Address: 1 Chome-16-11 Tomigaya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0063

Embarking on its journey from Oslo, Fuglen planted its roots in Tokyo in 2012 with the opening of its first coffee and cocktail bar.

Today, Fuglen has four coffee shops in Tokyo, each of these spots adorned with the trademark retro charm, coupled with a Scandinavian touch that defines Fuglen's aesthetic. Adding to their local presence, one of their two roasteries is strategically situated in Tokyo. Once the evening sets, Fuglen’s transforms into a cocktail bar.

Fuglen Coffee Tomigaya │© Fuglen

8. Unlimited Coffee Bar

Address: 1 Chome-18-2 Narihira, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0002

Rena Hirai and Daicha Matsubara, seasoned in the arts of barista and roasting, came together to establish Unlimited Coffee Bar in Oshiage.

Located right next to the Skytree, Unlimited Coffee Bar offers locals and tourists returning from the breathtaking view of the skyline a delicious cappucino to elevate their Tokyo coffee experience. While their roastery is a 1 hour walk away, in Arakawa, the couple picked the spot in Oshiage to be able to serve a blend of tourists and locals, which creates a great opportunity to share Japanese coffee culture.

© Unlimited Coffee Bar

7. % ARABICA

Address: 〒106-0041 Tokyo, Minato City, Azabudai, 1 Chome−3−1 ヒルズタワープラザ 4F

Hidden in the urban village of Azabudai Hills lies not one but two coffee shops that will catch your eye with their unique full-white interior design.

Founded by Kenneth Shoji and kicking off its journey in Kyoto, % Arabica has revolutionized the coffee scene as Japan's counterpart to Blue Bottle. Only recently can we talk about % Arabica coffee Tokyo, as the brand opened its first two locations in the city a couple of months ago.

As found in all of their shops, % Arabica Tokyo’s countertop coffee grinders became their service trademark, allowing customers to have their beans grinded on the spot.

© % Arabica

6. Onibus

Address: 2 Chome-14-1 Kamimeguro, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0051

Onibus features four locations in Tokyo. From a cozy espresso stand in Nakameguro, to a more spacious cafe in Jiyugaoka.

Tailored mostly to takeaway customers, Onibus serves classic hand drip coffee, espresso variants, and white coffee options. With its own small roastery in Yakumo, joined by a tiny seating area and coffee stand next to it, Onibus stands as a noteworthy destination for those seeking the finest in Tokyo's diverse and coffee culture.

© Onibus

5. Allpress Espresso

Address: 3 Chome-7-2 Hirano, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0023

You’ll have a hard time ignoring the brutalist facade that houses Allpress Espresso. The New Zealand chain opened its Tokyo shop in a repurposed warehouse in Fukagawa.

The shop has a roastery section and a smaller, cozy café which offers a selection of espresso, (New Zealand style) flat whites, and cappuccinos. Indulge in the specialty coffee, industrial aesthetics, and laid-back yet refined New Zealand ambience right in the heart of Tokyo.

© Allpress Espresso

4. Heart’s Light Coffee

Address: 〒150-0045 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Shinsencho, 13−13 ヒルズ渋谷 1階

While finding coffee in Shibuya might be an easy quest, exploring the quiet alleys of Shibuya, Shinsencho to be exact, may lead you to the discovery of Heart's Light Coffee. This intimate coffee haven serves exceptional brews. Plus, they create a calming atmosphere with their extensive collection of vinyl records, continuously flipping records on their turntables to keep things interesting. You can even pick a record to take home if you buy a certain amount of beans.

Behind the counter you’ll spot a beautiful copper-plated roaster from Turkey, delivering some excellent roasts. Their signature blend boasts a light roast crafted from a blend of Panama and Papua New Guinea beans. 

© Heart’s Light Coffee

3. Blue Bottle Coffee

Address: 1 Chome-7-3 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0041

Probably the most prominent specialty coffee presence in Tokyo. Blue Bottle Tokyo features no no less than 14 coffee shops, so you’ll be able to spot one wherever you’re hanging out. It’s also the only coffee shop in Ginza featured on this list.

For every coffee, Blue Bottle creates a custom roast designed for the best expression of that flavor profile. Since its arrival in Tokyo in 2015, Blue Bottle has been an established hotspot for coffee lovers all over Tokyo.

On top of that, Human Made (yes, the fashion brand by legendary designer NIGO) and Blue Bottle coffee Tokyo teamed up for a one-of-a-kind coffee experience in Jingumae.

courtesy of Blue Bottle │© Takumi Ota

2. Leaves Coffee Roasters

Address: 1 Chome-8-8 Honjo, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0004

Located in Tokyo’s sumo district Ryogoku lies a green facade which conceals the charm of Leaves Coffee Roasters, a small modern coffee shop.

The shop only opens three days a week, other days are reserved for roasting. With the founder, Yasuo Ishii’s ambition of becoming the world roasting champion, you can expect nothing but quality. Their 2 German roasting machines work around the clock to roast beans sourced mainly from Kenya and Ethiopia.

As an extra, just a 7 minute walk from the roastery you will find a beautiful coffee stand called Leaves Coffee Apartment where you find delicious hand-drip brewed coffee.

© Leaves Coffee Roasters

1. Bear Pond Espresso

Address: 〒155-0031 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−36−12 ベアーポンド

This is not your average Japanese coffee house, and the only one on this list with explicit rules. Don’t take photos, and don’t linger around. Forget about bringing your macbook to this tiny crowded spot. Enjoy your order, then leave.

Located in Tokyo’s vintage walhalla Shimokitazawa you find one of the shops adorned by coffe aficionados: Bear Pond Espresso.

Founded by Katsu Tanaka after spending years in New York City, you taste his passion for quality coffee brewed to perfection. A standout recommendation is the featured "Flower Child" espresso blend, presenting a nuanced profile that combines hints of spice, saltiness, and a velvety texture, complemented by a subtle undertone of dark chocolate flavor.

© Bear Pond Espresso

There it is. This list of our favourite coffee places in Tokyo should get you kickstarted on your coffee journey in world’s biggest and most exciting city. Be sure not to rule out any spontaneous coffee discoveries you make along the way, since Tokyo is filled to the brim with passionate cafés.

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