The last time I went to Tokyo, in 2017, I somehow managed to visit and document 18 coffee shops in the span of a week. However, when I look back on that trip, all I really remember is trudging through unfamiliar train stations into remote neighborhoods for the sole purpose of visiting one café after another. It was almost like a business trip that left no room for exploration or discovery—only checking off my long list of cafés.
When I went back to Tokyo on my own in 2024, I only really had four full days to myself, and I didn’t want to use my precious time simply visiting one café after another. That said, I did look at what was new and interesting, and I picked a short list of places I could visit on the way to other sites.
I spent a lot of my time in Shibuya and Harajuku on this trip, but I also visited Shimokitazawa (which has become so gentrified since I was last there in 2012).
This list represents seven cafés I visited within four days in Tokyo.
Camelback
Camelback was recommended by a friend, both for their coffee but mostly for their egg sandwiches. Even though I had already had two coffees and lunch by the time I visited, I still ordered a coffee and sandwich just to try. This is a sweet little shop nestled in a quiet part of town near Yoyogi park, so I got to visit the Monocle shop nearby
Chop Coffee
Chop is in a very heavily trafficked part of Shibuya and Harajuku, which was very convenient for my shopping needs. nice seating, but I took my drink to go.
Eight
Eight coffee was not on my list at all, but I found it randomly near my hotel on a day when I was meeting a friend and didn't have time to stop somewhere intentionally for coffee. I had low expectations, but I must say little Eight really surprised me with an expertly prepared latte. I visited twice on this trip and will go again.
Ogawa
Ogawa was another recommendation from a friend. They are based in Kyoto but have a shop in Shimokitazawa. You have to wait in line and the whole process is very formal. I really did enjoy my coffee though, and can understand the hype.
Onibus
Onibus was also recommended to be my a friend. This cafe was perhaps the most out-of-the-way one I visited on my trip, but it was still about a 20-minute walk to the Tsutaya books in Daikanyama, which I always visit. I loved this cafe, the building the coffee, the whole experience.
Mameya came highly recommended by the internet as the place to buy special beans. There were a lot of varieties, but I prefer Central American beans and I have come to realize the Japanese prefer Ethiopian and Kenyan beans. I got a small drink with a little milk - this is much more of a drink-your-coffee-black kind of place, and I will always prefer lattes.
Cafe Kitsune
Maison Kitsune is a popular clothing brand in Japan and it is common for clothing brands to have their own cafes. Even though I do not own anything from the clothing brand, this cafe looked really cool so I decided to visit. It was bustling but I got a seat by the counter and ordered a latte and sandwich. This was one of the only cafes where I sat down to enjoy my drink instead of taking it to do.
