Step Back In Time With Tokyo’s Top 5 Traditional Cafes

No need to rush your order, sit in crammed seats or burn your tongue minutes before your next meeting. Time has stopped here — welcome to Tokyo's best traditional kissaten.

From cafes opening as early as the birds start singing to free morning sets to special office stops serving your macchiato just the way you want it, it’s not an arduous deal to get that java fix at any given time of day in Tokyo. But for true joe lovers, coffee is just as much about art and pleasure as it is about atmosphere, and nothing does it better than Japan’s kissaten (traditional coffee houses). Here everything is about respecting the art of coffee making and just taking it slow. Next time you need a coffee break in Tokyo try one of these five traditional cafes.

1. Chatei Hatou

© Photo by Shizuka Sakamoto

There’s something about this place that makes you forget it all as soon as you step in. Though located in the heart of Shibuya, it shuts off all city distractions and noise. You’ll feel thousands of kilometers away from the hustle and bustle. The cafe’s original Hatou Blend (¥900) offers the perfect balance of bitter and sour java. The owner selects your cup from around 400 options displayed behind him based on his impression of you. With nearly 30 years of experience, he serves personalized coffee. A bonus point is that the cafe stays open until late at night.

• Address: 1-15-19 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
• Business hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Access: 3-min walk from Shibuya Station, East Exit

2. Cafe Casa

“Hot” and “cake” are the two keywords for this cozy place, and yes, you get it; we’re there for the pancakes as much as we are for the coffee. Since 1984, Cafe Casa has been devoted to serving some of the city’s best hot cakes that taste just as good as they look—and take our word for it, they’re huge! This is a great place if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth and indulge in it all by yourself.

• Address: 3-41-1 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
• Business hours: 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. (closed Mondays)
• Access: 5-min walk from Gaien-mae Station, Exit A3

3. Sabor

Built in 1955, Sabor is one of the oldest and most famous cafés in Jimbocho. It resembles an old wooden house in the middle of a jungle. A popular destination for people of all generations, it gets crowded easily, especially on weekends, but it’s worth the visit (and revisit). Serving a wide variety of coffee blends and teas, we also encourage you to try Sabor’s original Fresh Strawberry Juice (¥800) for a taste of real strawberries topped with salty nuts.

• Address: 1-11 Kanda Jimbo-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
• Business hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (closed Sundays)
• Access: Turn left after exiting Jimbocho Station, Exit A7

4. Galant

If you have ever wondered how cafes really looked back in the Showa era, visit Galant, and you’ll know. Time has literally stopped here since 1979 when it first opened, just outside Ueno station. The bubble economy is still at its full here: from the gaudy decor and shiny chandeliers to the burgundy sofas and retro tiles, treat this cafe as your private Showa-era museum. The best on the menu (aside from all those coffee blends, retro-style sandwiches and cakes) is the all-time Japanese favorite cream soda, melon soda with vanilla ice cream and a cherry topping (¥1,000).

• Address: 6-14-4 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
• Business hours: 8 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
• Access: 1-min walk from Ueno Station, Exit 5b

5. Café de L’Ambre

© Photo by Flickr: sheng wang

Café de L’Ambre, an iconic coffee shop established in the 1940s, preserves its Showa-era charm. The café’s vintage coffee-making equipment, wooden decor and antique ambiance create a sanctuary for coffee enthusiasts. Since 1948, Café de L’Ambre has stood apart by offering meticulously crafted brews, remaining true to its philosophy amid the changing coffee industry. In the 21st century, many coffee shops have succumbed to marketing gimmicks, masking poor-quality coffee with deceptive claims. Café de L’Ambre rejects this trend, continuing to showcase the authentic essence of coffee, even as global commercial pressures have compromised the quality of beans.

• Address: 8-10-15 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo
• Business hours: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Until 7 p.m. on Sundays and Holidays, closed Mondays)
• Access: 7-min walk from Shimbashi Station, Exit 2

Are you ready to escape noisy Tokyo by visiting these traditional cafes?

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