The Best Cafes in Tokyo Japan: A Guide to the 7 Best Coffee Shops in 2026

Just in case you didn’t know this about me, I’m a huge coffee lover. Almost embarrassingly so. When I’m traveling, I’ll happily go out of my way for a good flat white, and trying a new cafe pretty much every day is kind of my thing.

When I arrived in Tokyo, I was genuinely surprised by how good the coffee scene is. After living in Australia for years and being very spoiled when it comes to coffee, I honestly didn’t expect Tokyo (and Japan in general) to be on that level, but it absolutely is.

I made a real effort while exploring Tokyo to constantly try new cafés, whether that was in Shibuya, Shinjuku, or just stumbling across small spots down random side streets. And because of that, I can finally put together this guide to the best cafés in Tokyo.

The idea here is simple: help you find great coffee spots for your morning caffeine fix so you don’t have to rely on 7-Eleven coffee every single day (even though… I’ll admit, it’s not terrible).

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The Best Cafes in Tokyo Japan: A Guide to the 7 Best Coffee Shops in 2026

What Are The Best Cafes in Tokyo? We’ve Got The Answers

First things first: I’ll be honest, I definitely went a little out of my way for some of these cafés. Not all of them are in the most convenient areas like Shinjuku or Shibuya. That said, a few of my absolute favorites are super central, like Coffee Supreme in Shibuya, for example, was one of my go-to spots and I went there multiple times for my morning coffee.

Others on this list, like Mermaid Coffee Roasters in Ikebukuro or Onibus, are a bit further out. But honestly, I loved making the effort to get there. It meant I got to explore some really local, zero-touristy parts of Tokyo where I was quite literally the only tourist around. That alone was a cool experience, and the fact that the coffee and breakfast were amazing just made it even a better experience for me.

I do get that not everyone wants to trek across the city just for a coffee though. That’s exactly why I included %Arabica on this list. It’s a café chain originally from Kyoto that’s expanding quickly across Asia, and I absolutely love their coffee. Their flat whites are genuinely some of the best I’ve ever had. Whenever I see one, I almost always stop in. It actually reminded me a lot of Blue Bottle Coffee, including the price tag, not gonna lie.

And one last thing before we dive in: yes, 7-Eleven coffee in Japan is hands down the best value for money in my opinion. I had countless 7-Eleven coffees while I was there. Zero shame in the convenience store coffee game, sometimes it just hits the spot.

1. Kielo Coffee Asakusa // Best Coffee Shop in Tokyo

Opening Hours: 8am-6pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location

Kielo Coffee in Asakusa is easily one of my favorite places to grab a coffee in Tokyo. I actually went there straight after spending an hour at an onsen (Mikokuyu Onsen, which is hands down my favorite tattoo-friendly onsen in Tokyo), and honestly, coffee after an onsen is elite-level relaxation.

I loved the interior straight away. It’s very minimalist, like many Japanese coffee shops, but still warm and cozy at the same time. Kielo specializes mainly in lattes and pour-overs, which are clearly their only two things on the menu, though I’m pretty sure they also had cold brew when I visited.

I went for a latte and added a slice of their carrot cake, which was super yummy. If you’re in Akasaka, I highly recommend stopping by. And seriously, do it my way: onsen first, coffee after. Thank me later.

2. Mermaid Coffee Roasters Ikebukuro // Super Unique Cafe in Tokyo

Opening Hours: 9am-10pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location

This one takes the crown as my favorite café in Tokyo. Mermaid Coffee Roasters is located out in Ikebukuro, and I pretty much made the trip there just for this café after a Tokyo local friend strongly recommended it to me.

The whole experience was great from start to finish. The café feels very local and like a proper hidden gem, with super friendly and sweet staff, even though their English is fairly limited. They offer a wide selection of beans and also some pretty wild coffee creations, like cola coffee and other experimental drinks (which I skipped this time).

The space itself is incredibly cozy, spread across three levels, all of them loungey, quirky, and inviting. I really loved the atmosphere here, and if I lived anywhere near Ikebukuro, I’d 100% be a regular at Mermaid Coffee Roasters.

3. Coffee Supreme Tokyo // One of the Best Cafes in Shibuya

Opening Hours: 8am-6pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location

Coffee Supreme Tokyo was pretty much my go-to café when I stayed in Shibuya. It’s very low-key and honestly doesn’t look like much from the outside, but wow, this place is amazing. I’ve mentioned before that I lived in Australia for years, and Coffee Supreme Tokyo reminded me so much of a proper Melbourne coffee shop.

Their latte is proper Aussie-level good, like dangerously good. Probbaly the best coffee in Tokyo. The vibe is cool without trying too hard, and they also have little grilled sandwiches that are simple but really tasty. I loved this place so much that I went here pretty much every single morning while staying in Shibuya. If that doesn’t say enough, I don’t know what does, 10/10 recommend.

4. Onibus Coffee // Most Instagrammable Cafe in Tokyo

Opening Hours: 9am-6pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

I’m pretty sure I first discovered Onibus Coffee on Instagram. It’s not ultra-viral, but it’s definitely popular enough that when I arrived around 10am, it was already fairly busy. I didn’t have to wait in a long line, but finding a seat took a bit of patience.

That said, the café itself is just incredibly cool. It’s essentially a small coffee counter with lots of open-air seating spread across different levels. On a sunny day, this place must be incredible. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t on my side when I visited, but the vibe still totally won me over.

The coffee here is excellent, slightly acidic, which I personally love, and their banana bread was also really good. I’d definitely recommend coming as early as possible, because I can easily imagine this place getting a line on busy days.

5. Neel // Best Breakfast in Tokyo

Opening Hours: 10am-8:30pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

Coming from Australia (and having lived in other Western countries), I’m used to cafés always serving proper food, like sit-down breakfasts, eggs, sourdough, the whole deal. In Tokyo, though, many coffee shops focus purely on coffee, maybe with a pastry if you’re lucky. That’s exactly why I loved Neel so much.

They actually serve proper breakfast, and it’s so good. I had their chicken sandwiches, which are Japanese-style and honestly delicious. Their coffee was excellent too, which is obviously a must for me.

I really enjoyed coming here in the morning, and that’s why Neel easily earns its spot as my number one breakfast in Tokyo. If you’re craving more than just a quick coffee to start the day, this is the place to go.

6. % Arabica // My Favorite Coffee Shop Chain

Opening Hours: 7:30am-5pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

I’ve already mentioned %Arabica above, but it definitely deserves its own spot on this list. I’d never heard of it before coming to Japan, and now I feel like I see it everywhere, not just in Tokyo, but also in places like Bangkok and Seoul. It’s a coffee chain, yes, but more on the fancy end of the spectrum, kind of like Blue Bottle if you know that one.

The reason I included it is simple: their coffee is consistently excellent. I’ve been multiple times now and honestly, it’s some of the best coffee I’ve had in a long time. I know it’s not a cute little mom-and-pop café, but when you’re out exploring Tokyo all day and suddenly crave a really good coffee, you don’t always know where the nearest great local spot is.

%Arabica is often inside malls or in super central locations, and I know exactly what I’m getting, really good coffee, every time. Super convenient and very reliable.

7. Hatoya Shibuya // Best Matcha in Tokyo

Opening Hours: 8am-6pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★
Menu & Location

I’ll be honest, I’m not the biggest matcha person. But when in Japan, right? Since Japan is obviously the birthplace of matcha, I had to give it a proper chance, and one of the best matcha lattes I had was at Hatoya in Shibuya.

The place itself is super cool and very low-key, and they make an excellent matcha latte. If you’re really into matcha, I’d highly recommend adding this spot to your list. It can get a bit busy, I did have to wait in line for a short while, but the line moved quickly and it was definitely worth it.

FAQs About the Best Cafes in Tokyo Japan

Where is the best breakfast in Tokyo?

One of my favorite breakfast spots in Tokyo is Neel. They do delicious Japanese-style sandwiches paired with really good coffee, and it’s such an easy, relaxed way to start the day.

That said, I’ll be honest with you, an egg sandwich and a coffee from 7-Eleven is the fastest, cheapest, and most reliable way to fuel up before a full day of exploring Tokyo. I had plenty of those and have zero regrets.

What is the best coffee shop in Tokyo?

There are so many great options, but if I had to pick one standout, it would be Kielo Coffee in Akasaka. I loved the minimalist vibe, the calm atmosphere, and the coffee itself was excellent.

What are the best Tokyo cafes?

Some of the best cafes in Tokyo are definitely Mermaid Coffee Roasters and Onibus Coffee. Both are worth going out of your way for, and yes, they’re also very photogenic.

Onibus in particular has that Instagram-famous look, but the coffee absolutely lives up to the hype, which isn’t always the case.

What are the best restaurants in Tokyo?

When it comes to food, two of my favorite restaurants in Tokyo are both in Shinjuku.
Sushi Bar Nigirite is my go-to for incredible value-for-money omakase, and Ramen Tatsunoya serves my favorite ramen not just in Tokyo, but in all of Japan.

Neither place is fancy, but both are the kind of spots you remember long after the trip.

Final Thoughts on Coffee Shops in Tokyo

Looking back, I easily could’ve visited many more cafes since Tokyo is massive, and the coffee scene is endless. This list only includes places I personally visited and genuinely liked, so if your favorite Tokyo cafe didn’t make it onto this list, I owe you an apology.

My advice? Use this guide as a starting point. Pick a few cafes from my list, grab your morning coffee, but also leave room to discover your own spots along the way. I’m a big believer in making your own experiences instead of just repeating someone else’s route.

Enjoy the coffee, enjoy Tokyo, and happy travels!