Kissaten are traditional Japanese-style cafés (also sometimes described as tea rooms) that you can find all over Japan. They are quite similar to cafés in that they usually serve coffee and a variety of sweets, including cakes and parfaits. Kissaten's history dates back to the early 20th century, and it has become a part of Japanese culture over the years. If you're planning a trip to Tokyo, you might want to consider staying at the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, located near numerous kissaten cafes for you to explore. Now you may be thinking, what is it like to go to Kissaten and where should I go for my first Kissaten experience? Well, to answer your questions, we've put together a useful list of 10 of the best Kissaten cafes in Tokyo! Check out the accommodations nearby to make your experience even more comfortable. Tokyo offers a variety of accommodations ranging from luxurious five-star hotels to affordable accommodations. You can easily Book Hotels here tophotels.com, which aids in providing excellent hotel recommendations. For those who prefer a wider range of options, http://www.tokyo-hotels-stay.com/en/type/hotels-12/ provides a broad selection of Tokyo hotels. Right from budget hotels to luxury accommodations, you are sure to find a place that fits your needs and preferences.
1. Café Galant (Ueno)
Café Galant is a classic Japanese-style café located a short walk from Ueno station on the Yamanote line. The shop has been in existence for over 40 years and offers a true Kissaten experience with a nostalgic yet refreshing atmosphere. The interior of the shop is carefully decorated with antique furniture and lighting including comfortable sofas and a huge chandelier dating from the Showa period (1926 - 1989). They have a large drinks menu as well as smaller meals such as sandwiches, curry and rice, omelettes and rice (known as Omuraisu in Japanese), as well as tempting cakes and fruit parfaits. They also have a breakfast menu available from 8am to 2pm, consisting of toast, a small salad, yoghurt and a cup of their delicious coffee!
Opening hours: 8am - 11pm
Location: Café Galant
2. Café Kayaba (Yanaka)
Café Kayaba is a charming café nestled in the Yanaka district. The Yanaka area gives you a real taste of a Shitamachi, referring to a nostalgic district that is home to traditional shops and cafés, usually with a long history dating back to the Showa period. The Kayaba café opened its doors in 1938. While the original building is still well-preserved, the interior of the shop is a combination of classic and modern style design, attracting many new customers of all ages.
You can try their mouth-watering strawberry shaved ice, which is only served during the summer in a traditional Japanese tatami room on the2nd floor. They also have an excellent egg salad sandwich in which they use thick but soft bread that goes perfectly with their coffee. It's a great place to sit and relax after shopping in the Yanaka area!
Opening hours: 8am - 5.30pm (weekdays), 9am - 6.30pm (weekends & public holidays)
Location: Café Kayaba
3. Café Kazuma (Ginza)
Just a few minutes' walk from JR Ginza station, Café Kazuma Namikidori is a very classic café. The interior of the shop is beautifully furnished with antique tables, top brand coffee cups, impressive paintings and sofas that create a luxurious and cosy atmosphere. Try their Kazuma Blend set which includes freshly roasted coffee and your choice of cake. The cake menu includes cheesecake, Mont Blanc (chestnut cake), chiffon cake and caramel cake, among others. They have three locations in the Ginza area, each offering the same quality services but with different and unique atmospheres!
Opening times: 11.30am - 10pm (weekdays), 11.30am - 11pm (weekends & public holidays)
Location: Café Kazuma
4. Chatei Hatou (Shibuya)
Chatei Hatou is a hidden gem in the heart of Shibuya offering an exceptional Kissaten experience. It is located about 5 minutes' walk from JR Shibuya station. Since opening in 1989, the shop has gained many loyal customers with its remarkable coffee and variety of sweets. The coffee is served with a pretty teacup chosen by the barista from an endless selection of teacups displayed behind the counter. The interior of the shop is filled with retro furniture and a number of different carefully roasted coffee beans, making it a peaceful place if you need a break from the busy streets of Shibuya. Try their baked cheesecake or chiffon cake which goes really well with their coffee!
책읽는달팽, CC BY-SA 4.0viaWikimedia Commons
Opening Hours: 11am - 11.30pm
Location : Chatei Hatou
5. Café Royal (Asakusa)
Café Royal is a classic retro café with over 50 years of history. It is ideally located in the heart of the Asakusa area, home to world-famous tourist attractions such as Senso-ji Temple and Kaminari-mon Gate. The café is about a 5-minute walk from Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza line. They serve tasty coffee made from fresh beans that are professionally roasted. They also have a morning menu option that includes thick toast, yoghurt and a small salad. Make sure you don't miss their delicious corned beef, egg salad and grilled asparagus sandwiches!
Opening hours: 8am - 8pm
Location: Café Royal
6. Poem MANO A MANO Café (Koenji)
The Koenji district is a peaceful area, perfect for a leisurely stroll on a fine day. Poème MANO A MANO Café is a cosy café that first opened its doors in 1973. In 2020, it reopened as a franchise chain of Coffee House Poem Group, which has over 20 locations nationwide. It's just a few minutes' walk from Koenji station and within walking distance of Hikawa Shrine, which is dedicated to the god of time. Their yellow and brown sign on the red brick building is hard to miss. They have a takeaway drinks menu which includes iced coffee as well as cold coffee which will cool you down on a hot summer's day. One of the most popular items on their sweet menu is their pudding, with a rich texture and whipped cream and cherry to top it all off.
Opening times: 10am - 8pm
Location: Poème MANO A MANO Café
7. Gion (Asagaya)
Gion is a unique retro café nestled in the Asagaya district of Suginami. It only takes a few minutes from JR Asagaya station to get to the chic café, which is over 40 years old. The interior of the small café is filled with antique decorations as well as comfortable seating, one of which was once an outdoor swing. Napolitan is their most popular dish, but they also have a tasty melon soda float that comes with two ice cream toppings. Their hours are convenient as they are open from early morning until after midnight every day!
Times: 8.30am - 2am (Monday - Saturday), 9am - 2am (Sunday)
Location: Gion
8. Yuria Pemuperu (Kichijoji)
Yuria Pemuperu is a charming kissaten located in Kichijoji, a quiet district home to a wide range of trendy boutiques and cafés. Although the café has a relatively long history and the menu is fairly traditional, this small café is always full of young customers fascinated by the retro atmosphere and ambience. The interior of the shop has antique western style furniture and beautiful flowers to make you feel right at home. They have incredible colourful floats that come with a giant scoop of rich vanilla ice cream on top. The flavours of their floats change according to the season. Their drinks menu includes coffee, tea, fresh juices and sodas. Don't forget to check out their variety of seasonal cakes and fruit tarts, which go great with their tasty coffee!
Opening times: 11.30am - midnight
Location: Iouria Pemuperu
9. Café Seibu (Shinjuku)
Needless to say, Shinjuku is one of the biggest restaurant and café districts in all of Tokyo. Café Seibu is a classic café located right next to JR Shinjuku station. It's been around for over 55 years and really gives you that traditional Kissaten feel. They occupy the second and third floors of the building, and the second floor is exclusively for non-smokers. Their giant fruit parfait offers a variety of seasonal fruit and whipped cream, making it a popular item with the younger crowd. If you fancy trying something traditional, order their combined lunch menu which includes a main course, small salad and drink for just ¥1,100 to ¥1,300!
Opening times: 7.30am - 11.30pm
Location: Café Seibu
10. Housekibako (Chitose Karasuyama)
Housekibako is a small retro café located in the Karasuyama district of Setagaya-ku. Housekibako means "jewellery box" in Japanese, which accurately describes the shop's charming atmosphere and well-decorated interior. They offer 6 kinds of colourful floats throughout the year, which differ from season to season. Some of the most popular flavours are peach, melon, strawberry and grape. They also sell handmade accessories and original products made by local artists. However, please note that they currently have a Covid-19 only booking policy.
Opening hours: 12pm - 5pm (Thursday - Sunday) *reservation required
Location: Housekibako
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If you're a little tired of going to the same old Western-style chain cafes, it can be a refreshing and fun experience to discover a traditional Japanese Kissaten. You'll experience Japanese Kissaten culture not only through the classic food and drink, but also through the heart-warming interactions with locals and regulars. Kissaten is a great place to unwind, spending time alone reading a book, listening to music or simply relaxing on a comfy sofa over a delicious cup of coffee! We hope you've found a traditional café in Tokyo that you might like to visit!
Have a great trip!