Specialty Coffee in Tokyo
Tokyo Coffee Culture
Tokyo has it all. You could say that about just about any topic you can dream of and it would be accurate. Of course at Beans by Dre, we’re talking about the specialty coffee experience. Obviously, every chain under the sun has locations near all the tourist hotspots, but if you like pour over coffee and occasionally embracing the adventure of getting lost on your travels, this is the Tokyo coffee shop list for you. If you have any interest whatsoever in specialty coffee and the various pour over coffee methods, you need to make Tokyo, and Japan as a whole, the #1 ultimate destination on your coffee bucket list, and make finding good coffee a daily priority on your trip too, not just a fuel stop. Tokyo is of course home to a great many wonders and there are endless opportunities and destinations throughout this city full of separate cities to explore whatever personal hobbies or classic tourist stops you would like to visit. After this trip, I could wax poetic about specialty coffee in Japan for days on end, and will gladly do so if you’d like to chat, but for now let’s get to the good stuff.
Best Pour Over Coffee Shops in Tokyo
Glitch Coffee & Roasters
Wow! I am in awe of what Glitch pulls off. Ever had a coffee that actually tastes exactly like what the flavor notes say in the description of the coffee bean? At Glitch, you will experience that in every single cup of pour over coffee. One of them even tasted practically like a cup of melon juice. You would be doing yourself a disservice if you visit Tokyo but miss Glitch on your trip. Some even go back every day while in town, and I absolutely understand why.
Address: Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 4 Chome−14−8 VORT銀座イーストIII 1階
Onibus Coffee
Onibus Coffee is worth a visit on ambience alone, but of course it doesn’t hurt that it serves up a stellar cup of coffee too. Located next to elevated train tracks and a neighborhood park, Onibus feels like a small getaway under their roofed patio, and simultaneously like a cozy shelter to spend rainy days in their upstairs room watching the trains pass by. Their dedication to providing beans from around the world and using coffee to foster community sets Onibus apart.
What to order: Pour over
Address: 2 Chome-14-1 Kamimeguro, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0051, Japan
Raw Sugar Roast
Raw Sugar Roast may be slightly off the typical couple day Tokyo tourist path, but the neighborhood coffehouse experience is so worth the visit. On a cold day, the warmth walking in is inviting and the couches and tables provide an environment not so common in specialty coffee shop interior design these days, which is a welcome change of pace. The baristas are happy to chat coffee and are always curious to learn more about their customers. Try one of their many pour over options or a single origin espresso for a wonderful time.
What to order: Pour over, Single origin espresso
Address: 3 Chome-9-4 Miyasaka, Setagaya City, Tokyo 156-0051, Japan
Koffee Mameya
Koffee Mameya feels like a local neighorhood specialty coffee provider. This small outpost is a showcase for beans from various global coffee roasters, as they don’t roast beans themselves, but they sure know how to serve up something you’ll like! If I lived nearby, it would be a go-to for constantly mixing variety into my at-home coffee rotation. The omakase experience at their Koto location is also well worth a visit but not as easily accessible as this Omotesando shop.
What to order: Pour over
Address: 4 Chome-15-3 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Leaves Coffee Roasters
I was lightly familiar with Leaves Coffee Roasters thanks to both Dayglow and Kumquat in Los Angeles, so it was an almost familiar sensation walking into Leaves for the first time. Leaves is known for its dedication to quality and its location near the Tokyo Skytree makes it a great place to stop in after seeing the city from its highest point. Try a couple of different pour overs and soak in the Japanese coffee experience.
Address: 1 Chome-8-8 Honjo, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0004, Japan
Ogawa Coffee Laboratory
As part of the Azabudai Hills Market, this branch of the Kyoto-based Ogawa Coffee Laboratory is both conveniently situated adjacent to some stellar food stands as well as a target destination in its own right for all you coffee lovers. It doesn’t fall short of its moniker as a laboratory either as the baristas here are true scientists and professors of the specialty coffee experience. They will teach you how to take your home coffee brewing to the next level and will send you happily on your way ready to brew your next cup.
What to order: Pour over
Address: Japan, 〒106-0041 Tokyo, Minato City, Azabudai, 1 Chome−2−4 ヒルズガーデンプラザC 日本 B1F, ヒルズ マーケット内
Single O Ryogoku Roastworks/Cafe
An outpost of an Australian outfit, nestled in a cozy neighborhood of Tokyo off the beaten path, this is a fantastic spot to sit down for a relaxing afternoon coffee. Single O in Ryogoku welcomes you in with open arms, hands you a cup to fill up your own cold brew if you order it, or lets you relax while you wait for a pour over. The banana bread with espresso butter is moist and delicious, and they offer cupping experiences if you are so inclined.
What to order: Pour over, self-serve cold brew
Address: 3 Chome-21-5 Kamezawa, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0014, Japan
Kielo Coffee
Akihabara is known far and wide as the hub of all things otaku in Tokyo, but when you’re ready to power up for or wind down from your neon-lit adventures in the worlds of manga, anime, video games, gachapon and arcades, a nice cup of pour over coffee is waiting for you at Kielo Coffee.
Address: 第一共和ビル 1F, 1 Chome-29-4 Taito, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0016, Japan
Little Darling Coffee Roasters
Minato has no shortage of specialty coffee shops to choose from, and fortunately it’s a large enough neighborhood for them all to coexist. Little Darling Coffee Roasters sits as within the greater Share Green Minami Aoyama space and has a surprisingly expansive footprint considering this is Tokyo we’re talking about here. With calming views of the nursery and park next door, and a cup of pour over in hand, you can let go of your jam-packed itinerary for some precious moments of peace.
Address: 1 Chome-12-32 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062, Japan
Pour Over Coffee Stand
POCS is difficult to find online when searching for Pour Over Coffee Stand as the SEO of it all is overcrowded with that particular keyword string, but for those who do make their way to this specialty coffee window with a few limited seats is sure in for a treat. Grab a pour over, chat with the barista and get away from the bustle of Shibuya.
Address: 22-1 Sarugakucho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0033, Japan
Murrma Coffee Stop
Murrma Coffee Stop seems to be a bit closer physically to downtown Shinjuku than to Shibuya, but never you mind any of that, since this should be your destination rather than a pitstop on the way to either of those. Murrma may be compact, but it packs a punch with just the right menu to satistfy anyone traveling in your party. Of course I suggest the pour over with whatever selection of specialty coffee beans they suggest that day, while the typical milk drinks are available as well.
What to order: Pour over
Address: 2 Chome-6-1 Honmachi, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0071, Japan
Brewman
Headlined by a recent Japan Brewers Cup Champion, Brewman offers up fantastic pour over coffee north of Yoyogi Park and also provides a pleasant little escape from your Shibuya and/or Shinjuku. With so much to do and see in the nearby areas, it may be tough to slow down but this respite is worth it before the coffee picks you back up and sends you back into the world all wired up and ready to go. When the coffee is this good, I promise it’s worth it to take it all in.
Address: Japan, 〒151-0053 Tokyo, Shibuya, Yoyogi, 3 Chome−13−1 SMI:RE YOYOGI 1C
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