Nakamura Tokichi 

Ginza

$10

Nakamura Tokichi Honten in Ginza, Tokyo, is a Japanese café renowned for its matcha-themed cuisine. Located in the Ginza Six shopping mall, it offers an array of matcha-infused dishes, including a popular matcha soba set. The café is especially famed for its unique matcha parfait, a dessert that blends textures and flavors to highlight the richness of matcha. It's a must-visit for green tea enthusiasts and those with a sweet tooth, but expect some waiting.

Chanoma

Ikeburko

$10

Chanoma is a charming café housed in a renovated 70-year-old traditional Japanese house. Surrounded by lush greenery, it offers a tranquil oasis in the city. The café is known for its rich matcha terrine, a popular and often sold-out dessert. They also serve a variety of tea and coffee, with a notable matcha latte using Aichi Nishio-produced matcha. The café's atmosphere, with tatami mat seating and veranda seating overlooking greenery, provides a peaceful tea experience.

nanaya

Shibuya

$5

Nanaya Aoyama, located in Shibuya, Tokyo, specializes in green tea ice creams with seven levels of matcha intensity, offering a unique taste experience. The most sought-after option is the highest grade matcha, known for its potent flavor. For those who prefer a milder taste, there are lighter shades with less bitterness. In addition to matcha, Nanaya features other tea-flavored ice creams like hojicha and sencha. This establishment is a must-visit for matcha enthusiasts and ice cream lovers.

uehara shokudo 

Yotsuya

$20

Uehara Shokudo in Tokyo, opened in June 2023, quickly became a favorite among kakigori fans. The chef, with a background in French cuisine, brings a unique flair to the café's offerings. Known for its high-quality ingredients and innovative flavors, Uehara Shokudo's menu changes frequently, offering a refreshing experience with every visit. The café specializes in kakigori, a Japanese shaved ice dessert, presented in creative and delicious ways. See their instagram for their unique menu!

shimura

Mejiro

$10

Founded in 1939, Shimura in Mejiro, Tokyo, is renowned for its delightful array of wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) and kakigori (shaved ice desserts), highlighted by syrups made with real fruit. In addition to its celebrated summer treats, Shimura's menu features savory items like vegetable curry and onigiri, providing a well-rounded culinary experience. The shop is also famous for its traditional sweets, such as the signature tsukumo mochi. However, kakigori is their most popular item. Their syrups include strawberry, matcha, and even sake.

wakaba

Yotsuya

$10

Taiyaki Wakaba, located in Shinjuku, Tokyo and established in 1953, is celebrated for its traditional fish-shaped cakes, taiyaki, made with anko (red bean paste). Their taiyaki is known for its crisp and fluffy texture, filled with smooth, melt-in-your-mouth red bean paste. What I love about the shop are its kakigori desserts, which complement their taiyaki perfectly. Taiyaki Wakaba is a favorite among locals and is often visited during lunch breaks for its traditional sweet treats.

coffee nikki

Yotsuya

$10

Coffee Nikki in Yotsuya, Shinjuku, Tokyo, is renowned for its warm ambiance and high-quality offerings. Due to its popularity, making reservations, especially on weekends, is essential. Known for their freshly made pancakes, the dough is prepared on order and baked using a copper plate, allowing guests to observe the process. Pairing these pancakes with Coffee Nikki's signature coffee, reputed as one of Tokyo's finest, comes highly recommended.

Mont st clair 

Jiyugaoka

$10

Mont St Clair in Jiyugaoka is renowned for its exceptional pastries, particularly the signature mille-feuille, known for its delicate layers and exquisite flavor. The patisserie offers a variety of cakes, each distinguished by a light, airy texture and perfectly balanced sweetness, embodying the true art of French dessert making. This delightful spot is a paradise for pastry lovers, offering a unique and indulgent experience with every visit. I personally recommend their cheese cake.

EASE

Kayabacho

$10

Ease, located in Kayabacho, Tokyo, is a patisserie and bakery known for its unique blend of traditional and modern pastry techniques. The owner-chef, Keisuke Oyama, is a renowned pastry chef who has honed his skills in France and worked at several Michelin-starred restaurants, including Sincere and Ristorante Aso. At Ease, he creates an array of exquisite desserts such as Amazon cacao choux cream, mango and shiso mousse cake, and matcha-cassis financiers.

no.4

Kojimachi

$10

Bakery No.4 in Kojimachi, Tokyo, is a well-regarded café and restaurant known for its cozy atmosphere and delicious offerings. It's a popular spot where locals often line up for breakfast or brunch. For those visiting in the morning, the French toast set comes highly recommended. Another standout item is their Avocado Toast, featuring a thick slice of freshly baked sourdough bread topped with avocado, scallions, and a hint of spice. The café also provides many vegan and vegetarian options.

amam dacotan

Omotesando

$10

Adam Dacotan in Omotesando, Tokyo, is a Fukuoka-born bakery known for its beautiful renditions of the Italian pastry, maritozzo, filled with fresh cream and various toppings. Offering over 50 varieties of freshly baked goods daily, it's particularly famous for the Dacotan Burger with purple cabbage and homemade sausage, and other signature items like the mentaiko peperoncino baguette, pistachio maritozzo, honey toast topped with seasonal fruit, and their creative donuts. 

Nata de cristiano

Yoyogihachiman

$10

Natadecristiano in Yoyogihachiman, Tokyo, offers an authentic Portuguese version of the classic pastel de nata. Known for its succulent egg custard, dusted with sugar and cinnamon, served in a light, crisp puff pastry case, these tarts are a must-try. The bakery, run by the team from Cristiano’s restaurant nearby, prepares three batches of pastel de nata daily. The pastries are ideal for a picnic, especially if you're near Yoyogi Park. Expect some waiting.

Kiazuma coffee

Zoshigaya

$5

Kiazuma Coffee in Zoshigaya, Tokyo, is a charming coffee shop located near Kishimojindo Shrine and on a street historically associated with manga maestro Osamu Tezuka. The café, housed in an 80-year-old building, offers a unique ambiance that combines traditional architecture with a retro feel. Customers can enjoy hand-drip coffee and homemade cakes in this setting that attracts both casual visitors and locals. 

toranoko

Yotsuya

$5

Toranoko Roasted Coffee & Sweets, located in Yotsuya, Tokyo, is a cozy café known for specializing in homemade roasted coffee and sweets, particularly their pudding. When you order, you have the option to choose your beans from more than 10 selections, depending on your mood. You can also buy their beans if you enjoyed your coffee.

Cafe lapin

Okachimachi

$5

Cafe Lapin in Okachimachi, Tokyo, offers a serene and elegant coffee experience. Located near Ueno-hirokoji Station and Okachimachi Station, it provides a peaceful retreat from the bustling main road. Their breakfast set, particularly popular among customers, includes toast with options of butter, cheese, or egg, accompanied by either coffee or black tea. The toast is known for its crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior, complementing the high-quality coffee. All of their coffee is amazing.

Little Darling Coffee Roasters

Aoyama

In the trendy Aoyama neighborhood, Little Darling Coffee Roasters stands out with its hip vibe and relaxing atmosphere. The café boasts a chic, modern interior and a welcoming outdoor area. It's renowned for its selection of hand-roasted coffee beans and personalized brewing options. The grass is artificial, by the way.

RACINES farm to park

Ikebukuro

RACINES farm to park is a gastropub offering a mix of pub and gastropub cuisine. The café serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, known for its Western food, beer, as well as donuts and ice cream. It features outdoor seating and is described as a hip place with a cool vibe.

Beside seaside

Hamamatsucho

Overlooking Tokyo Bay, Beside Seaside offers a serene setting with a blend of indoor and outdoor seating. This café specializes in European cuisine, including specialty paella and a variety of herbal and spicy dishes using seasonal ingredients. The menu also includes charcuterie and aperitivo. Serving Italian and café-style dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it's a culinary delight.

Bozu'n Cafe

Kaname cho

$5

Bozun Coffee in Ikebukuro is a unique café operating within Shounji Temple. Open only once a week and by reservation. The priest's son, a licensed chef, prepares delicious sweets like the acclaimed Basque-style cheesecake. With its Japanese garden view, this café provides a peaceful escape. If you're lucky to make an appointment, it's a memorable experience.

Akasaka rikyu

Yotsuya

$20

The State Guest House, Akasaka Palace (Akasaka Rikyu) in Tokyo, was originally built as the Imperial Palace for the Crown Prince in 1909 and was repurposed as a state guest house in the 1970s. This facility serves as a venue for hosting state and official guests in Japan. Notably, President Donald Trump visited in 2019, and President Joe Biden visited in 2022. 

Not even locally known, but the palace also offers a delightful casual outdoor afternoon tea experience. Guests can enjoy their tea while admiring the view of the entire palace. It's a perfect stop after touring the inside of the palace.

jazz cafe eagle

Yotsuya

$5

Jazz Cafe Eagle, located in Yotsuya and established in 1967, is a prototypical jazz café known for its immense record collection and focus on music. It features a 'No Talking' policy in the afternoons to maintain the focus on the music. The café, with its loud, clear sound system, offers a unique listening experience. Eagle maintains its position as a top jazz joint in Tokyo​. You can talk in the night session btw, haha.

Koffee mameya kakeru

Kiyosumi shirakawa

$20

Koffee Mameya Kakeru, tucked away in the backstreets of Tokyo in a renovated warehouse, is a fancier version of the popular coffee spot Mameya in Omotesando. It's known for its dedication to the Japanese concept of kodawari, symbolizing a relentless pursuit of perfection and meticulous attention to detail. The shop offers a unique coffee experience with a three-course tasting menu. Due to its popularity, reservations are highly recommended. 

Sahsya Kanetanaka

Omotesando

$15

Sahsya Kanetanaka, located on the second floor of Oak Omotesando, offers a tranquil space filled with artworks and a Japanese garden designed by Hiroshi Sugimoto. It stands out as a relatively hidden gem in the bustling area of Omotesando, making it less crowded than other cafes in the vicinity. This place is a coffee place, but a Japanese tea place also offering wagashi and some small food.

cafe 1894

Marunouchi

$15

Cafe 1894 in Marunouchi is a favored destination, renowned for its comprehensive dining experience, including food, service, and ambiance. Adding to its unique offerings, Cafe 1894 also features coffee-based alcoholic beverages, making it a distinctive choice for visitors looking for a blend of traditional cafe offerings with a twist. A quite beautiful and historic place as well. 

Kyo hashiya

Shinjuku/Hibiya/Ikebukuro

$10

Kyo-Hayashiya in Tokyo, with a history spanning over 260 years, is a renowned green tea specialty store. It's celebrated for introducing matcha parfait and offers a range of affordable matcha sweets, both traditional and modern. The store's highlight is its matcha products, including the popular warabimochi and matcha cake roll. 

kagurazaka saryo

Shibuya/Kagrazaka

$10

Kagurazaka Saryo not only offers a serene and stylish atmosphere but also is known for its exceptional matcha parfait. This dessert is served with a choice of matcha or green tea, where patrons can select their preferred tea leaves. Additionally, the café provides light meals, including a popular sukiyaki dish, enhancing the dining experience with a blend of traditional Japanese flavors and a modern café ambiance​.

toraya cafe

Omotesando/Shinjuku/Aoyama

$10

Toraya Café is dedicated to azuki red bean paste, a staple in Japanese confectionery. This café, operated by Toraya, renowned for its traditional "wagashi" (Japanese confectionary), offers a modern twist on these sweet treats. The café's menu features various items incorporating anko red bean paste, such as An Coupé (azuki bean and cream cheese in bread), An Toast (azuki bean on toast), and An Matcha Bolo (a cookie with azuki bean filling).