(kissaten)
Fall and winter call for hearty meals, fragrant toast and hot coffee. Luckily, Japan’s multitude of kissaten (old-school coffee houses) provides all three in quiet, at-home and sometimes quirky environments. Perfectly shaped egg sandwiches, hearty curry plates and fluffy, buttery cakes paired with freshly poured coffee are the essentials of any Japanese-style coffee shop. Stepping inside a kissaten in an impatient and restless city like Tokyo opens up a door into what seems almost like a different realm. It’s a true means of self-care.
Here’s a list of seven kissaten to visit in Tokyo during the cooler months.
1. Kabaya Coffee (Yanaka)
(Kabaya Coffee)
Established in 1938, Kabaya Coffee has a traditional but polished ambiance, complete with a cozy tatami area. The shop offers classic kissaten recipes, such as steaming hot Japanese curry and creamy egg sandwiches, as well as pretty cakes, lattes and craft beer.
6-1-29 Yanaka, Taito-ku
Mon – Sun 8am–6pm
2. Coffee Rin (Ginza)
At Coffee Rin’s flagship store in Ginza, baristas hand drip and serve the cafe’s signature blend coffee in one-of-a-kind, antique cups that are carefully chosen for each customer. Add a menu that offers seasonal cakes and desserts and you definitely have a gloomy December afternoon sorted.
4-4-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku
Mon–Thur 11am–10pm / Fri 11am-11pm / Sat 10am-11pm / Sun&Holidays 10am-10pm
* First Sunday of the month 12pm-10pm / First Monday of the month 11am-6pm
3. Sabouru (Jinbocho)
(Sabouru)
What’s better than sitting down with a cup of coffee and a new book? Born in 1955 in Tokyo’s booktown Jinbocho, Sabouru is a well-loved local haunt known for their classic Naporitan pasta. The brick walls filled with writing from the regulars and the Native American inspired interior decoration gives the spot a secret hideout feel. The shop name comes from the Spanish “Sabor” (flavor), but is it a coincidence that it sounds like the Japanese word Saboru (To play hooky?) With so many college students here reading and drinking cream sodas all day, we think not.
1-11 -31-21 Koenjikita, Chiyoda-ku
Wed–Mon 11am–9pm
4. Tajimaya Coffee House (Shinjuku)
(Tajimaya Coffee House)
Despite having multiple stores scattered around Tokyo, Tajimaya Coffee’s journey started in the 60s in Shinjuku, where the main branch still stands. This 50-year-old coffee shop’s top priority is sourcing quality beans from around the world and roasting them to perfection. Match your favorite coffee with a slice of cake or a flavorful azuki bean jam on toast with whipped cream.
1-2-6 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Mon–Sun 10am–11pm
5. Kissaten Renga (Tsukiji)
(Kissaten Renga)
Kissaten Renga is a local gem in Tsukiji. Here, you can enjoy the authentic taste of kissaten staples such as tamago sando (egg sandwich) and napolitan pasta (the Japanese revisitation of tomato sauce pasta). Visit Kissaten Renga at lunchtime to get a local taste. Grab a free seat between salarymen on their lunch breaks and have a chat with the friendly owner.
2−15−15 1F, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku
Mon-Tue 11am–5pm / Thur-Sat 11am–5pm (L.O 4pm)
6. Cafè Trois Chambres (Shimokitazawa)
Located in the hip Shimokita neighborhood, Cafè Trois Chambres transports you to a different time with relaxing jazz music, deep wood tones and a clientele of mostly quiet readers. Check out its distinctive, antique atmosphere and stay for the speciality sandwiches and cheesecake set.
5-36-14 Daizawa, Setagaya-ku
Mon–Sun 9.30am-8:00pm
7. Hekkelun (Shimbashi)
Hekkelun is a small and cozy cafe between Toranomon and Shimbashi that’s known for its purin (Japanese custard pudding) topped with caramel sauce. If you have a sweet tooth, Hekkelun’s jumbo purin paired with a hot cup of coffee is not to be missed.
1-20-11 Nishishinbashi, Minato-ku
Mon-Tues 9am-3pm / Thur-Fri 9am-3pm
