5 Popular Specialty Coffee Shops in Tokyo for 2025

With countless wonderful shops in Tokyo, this time we’ve picked five representative shops that you should especially visit during your limited time, such as on a trip.

Tokyo Specialty Coffee Shop ① FUGLEN TOKYO

The interior is decorated with Nordic vintage furniture and items reminiscent of the original store in Oslo, creating a comfortable and relaxing space. Although the interior is relatively small, benches and terrace seating are available outside, making it attractive to enjoy coffee time in an open atmosphere on nice days.

The shop’s true specialty is their carefully selected light-roasted single-origin coffees. The beans, sourced through direct trade, are home-roasted in Noborito, Japan, with minimal heat to preserve their original character and flavor. This popular shop has been selected as one of Tabelog’s top 100 cafés and is highly regarded among foreign customers, making it a special place to experience overseas café culture while in Tokyo.

Tokyo Specialty Coffee Shop ② GLITCH COFFEE & ROASTERS

Upon entering the store, you’ll find about 10 different beans from around the world displayed at the counter. Visitors can check the aroma of the beans while listening to detailed explanations from knowledgeable staff, allowing them to choose a cup that matches their preferences. This selection process itself is the essence of the coffee experience at Glitch.

What has enhanced the shop’s reputation is their light roasting technique that maximizes the beans’ original flavors. This results in creative coffees with delicate aromas and fruity flavor profiles that can’t be found elsewhere. When many customers first taste it, their reaction is often expressed in just one word: “surprise.” Glitch has become a place where everyone can encounter a new coffee experience.

Tokyo Specialty Coffee Shop ③ LIGHT UP COFFEE

The essence of this shop lies in its carefully roasted, distinctive coffees. Their light-roasted beans with delicate acidity and rich aroma are particularly characteristic, offering fruity flavors often described as having “orange notes” or “apple notes.” The tasting set, which allows you to compare three types of coffee labeled SWEET, JUICY, and FRUITY, is a valuable experience to discover the differences in taste based on origin and processing methods.

The glass exterior trimmed in blue and white walls is distinctive. Though compact, the space spreads out in a simple and sophisticated manner, with an atmosphere that naturally relaxes visitors. Kichijoji West Park stretches across from the shop, and many customers take their coffee to enjoy in the green surroundings. It has blended into the community as a small healing space that makes you forget the hustle and bustle of the city.

Tokyo Specialty Coffee Shop ④ KOFFEE MAMEYA

The most distinctive feature of this shop is the customized coffee experience for each individual. Upon entering, a barista in a white coat provides one-on-one service, suggesting the optimal bean from 10-15 varieties based on the customer’s preferences and mood. From dark roasts to light roasts, from strong acidity to fruity flavors, they guide you through a wide range of options with expert knowledge and passion, much like a sommelier of fine wines.

Prices range from around 500 yen to over 2,000 yen for premium options, allowing you to enjoy a special cup as a treat for yourself. Not only can you enjoy freshly brewed coffee on the spot, but you can also purchase beans with detailed instructions on how to brew them at home. This space, backed by deep respect and knowledge for coffee, goes beyond being just a café and serves as a custodian of coffee culture.

Tokyo Specialty Coffee Shop ⑤ OBSCURA COFFEE

Stepping into the store, you are greeted by African-inspired decorations and pleasant music. The eat-in space is separated from the sales area by a wall, with bench seats along the windows and walls, and Ethiopian wooden coffee tables and stools that can be freely moved around. This spacious design allows you to spend a peaceful time away from the city’s hustle and bustle.

The coffee menu adopts a system where you can choose from a range of distinctive light roasts and deep dark roasts. Another reason for the shop’s popularity is its reasonable pricing for high-quality specialty coffee, with a large iced coffee at 540 yen and a large hot coffee at 500 yen. This is a hidden gem café in Sangenjaya where you can experience authentic coffee culture in a space that evokes the spirit of Africa.

Did any of these shops catch your interest?
Let’s enjoy exploring specialty coffee shops!