Coffee Culture: 9 Ultra hipster cafes in Tokyo you must visit

Angela Goh 07 Nov 2016

1/9
Bear Pond Espresso
What’s more hipster than a place called Bear Pond Espresso that doesn’t even sell espressos after 2pm? That’s just one of the peculiar rules at Bear Pond, which has earned an reputation as one of Tokyo’s roughest but best places to get a cuppa. The owner, Katsu Tanaka, has a no-nonsense attitude when it comes to the quality of his coffee. Even photography is enough to distract him, leading to the second rule of the shop: a strict no-photo policy (sorry Instragrammers). If the stroppy service isn’t enough to detract you from visiting however, you’re in luck, because their coffee is absolutely superb.
2-36-12 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0031
Photo: Bear Pond Espresso
2/9
4/4 Seasons Coffee
Pristine white walls, mixed wood bench seating, the odd cactus here and there, and great coffee. Does it get more hipster than that? 4/4 Seasons Coffee in Shinjuku exudes your stereotypical hipster cafe vibe, but with none of the pretentiousness. Owners Jun and Emi Saito are as down to earth as it gets, both just longing to run a warm, casual, and friendly place to get a great coffee and a pastry made with love. Luckily for us, their decor makes for a great impromptu photo spot too!
2-7-7 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0022
Photo: 4/4 Seasons Coffee
3/9
About Life Coffee Brewers
Wander around Shibuya long enough and you’ll eventually find yourself drawn towards the intoxicating aroma emanating from About Life Coffee Brewers. Less of a cafe and more of a quaint little hole-in-the-wall coffee stand, About Life is without a doubt the best place to grab a cuppa on the go and snap some great shots of the exterior. The shop sources its beans from roasters all over Tokyo, and offers a simple menu of espresso, americano, latte, or drip, all of which they make remarkably well.
1-19-8, Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0043
Photo: About Life Coffee Brewers
4/9
Mercer Brunch
Mercer Brunch in Roppongi is a very pretty hang out spot that caters to your breakfast and brunch needs. Despite its small size, it boasts an open fireplace, which is unusual for a cafe (but adds many hipster points). From thick slices of brioche French toast to your usual eggs and salmon fare, it’s a cosy place to spend your late mornings on a lazy Sunday. Perfect for couples.
4-2-35 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo Tokyo
Photo: Mercer Brunch
5/9
Little Nap Coffee Stand
A hidden gem nestled alongside one of Tokyo’s busiest railway tracks, Little Nap Coffee Stand in Shibuya has been serving up sublime cups of coffee to locals since 2011. Like the best coffee shops out there, Little Nap has a unpretentious, quintessential neighbourhood vibe, with the music-mad one Daisuke happy to chat the day away with any visitor while he roasts, grinds, and brews, all on site. Little Nap is the perfect place to spend the afternoon sitting on the stools outside, sipping on an iced-latte, and watching the Yoyogi park community bumble by.
5-65-4 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0053
Photo: Little Nap Coffee Stand
6/9
Aoyama Flower Market Tea House
So it might not be a truly hipster place (it’s rather popular amongst locals), and it might not actually be a cafe (there’s no coffee in sight, just tea), but the tea house tucked away inside Aoyama Flower Market is a must for anybody looking for a unique cafe experience in Tokyo. Sitting inside a flower shop, the positively enchanting interior is lavishly decorated with seasonal flowers, making for the most relaxing (and picturesque) spot to sip on some refreshing and rejuvenating brews inspired by the flowers on display.
5-1-2, Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
Photo: Aoyama Flower Market Tea House
7/9
PNB Coffee
Hidden away on a quiet backstreet in Meguro is PNB Coffee, the brainchild of Danish expat Peter Ny Buhl. The cafe is undeniably Nordic, with its airy, natural, and bright interior, and beans sourced all the way from Danish roasters Coffee Collective and La Cabra Coffee. The brewers at PNB keep it simple with everything brewed manually - that means no espressos in sight. The result is beautifully light and delicate cups of coffee, matching the chill vibe of the cafe itself.
3-13-14 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0042
Photo: PNB Coffee
8/9
Toranomon Koffee
While the ultra-hipster Omotesando Koffee sadly closed last year, the hipster vibes and outstanding coffee are still going strong at its sister outlet in Toranomon in Minato, right by the picturesque Tokyo Tower. The shop might not be tucked away in a tiny traditional house like its predecessor, but the interior, with its symmetric layout, birchwood cube barista stations, and soft lighting is just as aesthetically pleasing.
1-23-3 Toranomon, Minato-ku, 2F Toranomon Hills Mori Tower, Tokyo 105-6302
Photo: Toranomon Koffee
9/9
Bills
The brainchild of Australian chef Bill Granger, Bills in Omotesando Harajuku definitely lives up to its name. The famous ricotta cheese pancakes here have been constantly raved about by food bloggers and websites like TripAdvisor, and so has the design and atmosphere of the establishment. The cafe boasts a delightfully spacious interior, with lovely windows that let in plenty of natural light. Though, if you’re looking for a spot at this popular cafe, be sure to come early - we’ve heard the lines form quickly!
Tokyu Plaza, Omotesando Harajuku 7F 4-30-3 Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
Photo: Bills

Looking for good grub in Tokyo? The capital city isn’t just about the ramen and sushi bars! These pretty spots will impress the hipster in you.

Amongst the smoke-filled izakayas and the bustling ramen bars, you’ll be surprised to learn that there are a few hidden cafes scattered around Tokyo that serve up some impressive coffee and brunch.

Curiously, Tokyo’s hipster cafe game is pretty strong, and as a testament to Japan’s fascination with minimalist interior decor, you’ll find that a lot of these cafes are aesthetically pleasing, with some original quirks thrown in to make them Instagram-worthy enough to go on your feed. We’ve curated a list of our favourites, so if you’re heading to the capital city of Japan anytime soon, you’ll want to take a few of these names down, for when you feel like a laid-back breakfast or brunch option that isn’t made of miso soup and rice.

Head up to the gallery to check out these top 9 picks of the most hipster cafes in Tokyo, Japan.

Angela Goh

Perfect Pastries: 7 Places to get your ultimate choux puff fix in Singapore

Japan Junkie: 6 Cool districts to visit in Tokyo

A Must-Try: 7 Affordable Michelin Star restaurants in Asia you must visit

Superb Steaks: 5 Places with the most exquisite beef...