Tokyo’s 5 Most Instagrammable Cafes to Check Out in 2020
Fill your heart, your stomach and your feed with these new picks
Taking something mundane and turning it on its head, whether it’s the serving and plating of the food or drinks or sprucing up the interior is a great formula that has benefited a lot of Instagrammable cafes. Even if you don’t find yourself snapping pictures of your every meal that isn’t microwaveable lasagna (just us?), these five places are just super fun to experience. So visit not only for the ‘gram but because you’ll truly enjoy these five most Instagrammable cafes for 2020.
1. 2D Cafe, Shin-Okubo, Shinjuku
View this post on Instagram
Even after you’ve spent an hour in this cafe, it still manages to fool your eyes and brain that you’ve entered a black and white drawing. Everything, from floor to ceiling to every nook and cranny looks like a flat 2D drawing. Luckily, the menu is 3D and very delicious; they serve tapioca bubble teas, fruit smoothies, and Korean shaved ice, as well as an array of lattes. Another bonus is that unlike most Tokyo cafes, 2D stays open until 11 p.m., the extended hours meaning more time and chance to visit it with fewer crowds.
There’s a very popular 2D café in Seoul, South Korea, so it’s fitting that the Tokyo one can be found in Shin-Okubo, otherwise known as Korea Town. However, the Tokyo café claims to have nothing to do with the Korean café.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Address: 1 Chome−7−5, Hyakunincho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
2. Reissue, Harajuku
Seeing the 3D world in 2D is fun because it’s unexpected. The same formula, but the other way around is what makes customers line up outside Reissue in Harajuku. Intricate latte art is usually a flat drawing, but in Reissue, it has morphed into a sculpture. These latte foam artists can craft anything—just show them a photo of what you want. If you don’t have a particular request, they also have a host of kawaii creatures to choose from that they can fluff up on top of your cup of joe.
View this post on Instagram
Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Address: 3 Chome-25-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
3. Shirohige Cream Puff Factory, Shimokitazawa
What charms everyone in Shirohige Cream Puff Factory in the bohemian hub of Shimokitazawa are the cream puffs shaped like Studio Ghibli’s beloved anime character, Totoro. Too cute to eat, but then again, too tasty to waste!
Even if you originally come here just for Totoro puffs, the dainty house is just as enchanting. After a bit of a walk from Shimokitazawa station, you’ll end up in a residential neighborhood where you can find the house amidst a lush green garden. On days when there are no lines outside, it really does feel like you are visiting a friend living in the Ghibli universe.
The Shirohige Cream Puff Factory also sells these cute pastries in their Kichijoji branch, but only as a takeaway. On the plus side, the Kichijoji shop is the only one selling cat-bus shaped pastries.
View this post on Instagram
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (closed on Tuesdays)
Address: 5 Chome-3-1 Daita, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
4. Coffee Cone Tokyo, Koenji
This cafe serves exactly what its name promises—coffee in a cone. The cone is an edible ice cream cone, coated with frozen chocolate on the inside so it can hold the coffee without falling apart. The best part is that after you’ve had your caffeine hit, they’ll add soft-serve ice cream in the same cone for a small fee. Drinking and eating your order to the last morsel also makes this a zero waste and eco-friendly experience. The small cafe is tucked away in a Koenji backstreet.
View this post on Instagram
Hours: 12 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Closed Mondays or Wednesdays, but irregularly)
Address: 3 Chome-20-15 Koenjiminami, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
5. Book and Bed Hostel Cafe, Various Locations
A bookworm’s dream, Book and Bed hostel and its facilities are usually accessible only to staying guests. But recently, the hostel has opened a cafe corner that invites non-staying guests to experience a unique menu—all themed around charcoal. Black charcoal might sound like the least appetizing flavor motif to some people, but this cafe’s tasty items such as the charcoal latte, or charcoal toast, can convert anyone. Plus, the stylish and minimalist interior design is just as Instagrammable as the hostel itself.
View this post on Instagram
Hours: Shinjuku: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Asakusa 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Shinsaibashi 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Address: Check website for individual locations
Whether it’s kawaii, retro vibes, artsy, or cool and chill, these cafes have it all! Check out our previous post on Instagram-worthy cafes for more suggestions and don’t forget to tag us @SavvyTokyo on Insta when you’re there. ❤️
Leave a Reply