5 of the best coffee shops in Tokyo

Tokyo’s Shimokitazawa neighborhood is already world-renowned. Flocked to by the city’s stylish youth and travelers abroad looking for unique vintage clothing, the neighborhood is a hotspot for inner-city culture. On one of its more quiet streets towards Ikenoue Station, however, is Coffee County, a specialty coffee shop originally hailing from Fukuoka down in Kyushu. The new location opened in 2022 and is already a major player in Tokyo’s specialty coffee scene. Coffee County is a spot for true appreciators of coffee culture, with the roster of beans ever-changing and the shop’s owner directly negotiating with farms for sourcing rather than through importers. The interior of the shop is based on traditional Ethiopian aesthetics, paying homage to the birthplace of the coffee plant. Be sure to take a look at the merchandise wall when you visit, as the shop also sells everything from branded apparel and accessories to Coffee County-exclusive brewing equipment in collaboration with Kalita. 

With a warmly lit and elegant interior, the glow emanating from the entrance of Bogen Coffee is a captivating sight on the Ginza backstreet it is located on. Bongen Coffee is the storefront for Shirafushi Roasters and takes itself very seriously, with beans curated with the same meticulous attention given to a mastersommolier’s wine list. Honey-process Ethiopian beans and the Panama Geisha varietal are calling cards of the shop’s single-origin offerings. For more classic yet luxuriously refined flavors, the Ginza Blend is reminiscent of the deep-roasted, cigarette-tinged fragrances of the area’s famous kissaten coffee shops. Many at the shop will also suggest their “Tiger’s Tail” blend, a luxury mixture of fruit-forward coffees with a light-to-medium roast. 

The Jimbocho neighborhood in Tokyo is one of old-school charm and culture. The streets are filled with vintage book and publication shops that are ripe for browsing, making Jimbocho a great destination for exploration and passing the time. Pharos Coffee, originally from Taiwan, is a relative newcomer to the neighborhood’s coffee scene, standing alongside storied kissatens and new wave specialty cafes. This is a great spot to visit after a day of book shopping, winding down and enjoying your haul with an impressive array of filter coffees and espresso drinks. The space is also often host to small art exhibits highlighting local artists. 

Omotesando is one of Tokyo’s most prolific commercial areas, home to luxury boutiques and an elegant environment to match. Venture a bit from the central road, and soon enough, cars are replaced by leisurely pedestrians going in and out of fragrance shops, vintage apparel stores, and creperies. Lattest calls these Omotesando backstreets home and is one of Tokyo’s most popular espresso bars due to its unique array of drinks and relaxed atmosphere. In fact, Lattest is a popular spot for remote work, as it has free wifi and outlets by the window seat at the front of the store. Both filter coffee and espresso are highlights of the menu. The shop’s signature “Lattest” drink is an iced espresso beverage, and the seasonal latte is a great reason to come back throughout the year. The Lattest is operated fully by an all-woman staff, originally set up to provide aspiring female baristas with a platform to develop their skills. 

Ogawa Coffee Laboratory sees its origins in Kyoto, and its impact on not just Japan’s coffee culture but the world's is not to be undermined. Ogawa was originally founded all the way back in 1952, as post-WWII Japan began to reopen to the rest of the world. Into the modern day, their locations throughout Japan embrace a detailed, nearly chemistry-based approach to coffee brewing, hence the “laboratory” moniker. Flavor chart leaflets are scattered throughout minimalist and contemporary-brutalist interior decor, and the large counters have specialized baristas brew your drinks right in front of their respective customers. In Tokyo, there are locations in Shimokitazawa as well as Sakurashinmachi, offering their signature filter coffee as well as tea and matcha options.