Loading, please wait...
Get dependable cover for your trip to Japan with policies starting at just *
When you think of Japan and hot beverages, green tea will most likely cross your mind. However, coffee is a popular choice amongst the Japanese, with many preferring the bitter beverage to their staple green tea. Like the rest of the world, Japan's coffee culture is improving with many western-inspired coffee houses popping up throughout the country, and while coffee is seemingly new, Japan is taking it in its stride.
When was coffee introduced in Japan?
Coffee was originally taken as a medicine, but when the Dutch started trading with the Japanese during the Edo period in the 17th – 19th centuries, they began to gift coffee to citizens in Nagasaki. In 1888, Japan's first dedicated coffee shop was opened, and the rest, they say, is history.
Today there are coffee houses throughout every city, with specialist coffee being a favourite among many.
Best coffee shops in Tokyo
When travelling to Tokyo, you'll be spoilt for choice. There are many coffee houses to choose from, and if you are a fan of Starbucks, you can even head there for your daily caffeine hit. However, you should look for a genuine Japanese-inspired coffee house for you to enjoy the bitter aromas.
For a coffee break in Tokyo, try the following coffee shops:
- Little Nap Coffee Stand, for a great atmosphere and incredible single-origin drip coffee.
- Lattest Omotesando, for incredible coffee off the beaten track.
- L'Occitane Café, for great coffee and great views of Shibuya Crossing.
- Steamer Coffee Company, for one of the most popular coffee houses in Tokyo.
- Suzu Café, for incredible coffee and adorable latte art that's sure to impress.
Don't be afraid to go into any good looking coffee houses along the way. Japan's love for coffee is continuing to grow, so be sure to try as much as possible.
Related content...
If you enjoyed this article and would like more info on travel to Japan, check out our other posts on the topic...
- Top things to see and do in Japan
- Tips for first-time travellers to Japan
- Kyoto: Things to see and do
- Tokyo: Things to see and do
- Best places for sushi in Tokyo
- Osaka: Things to see and do
- Sapporo: Things to see and do
- Top 5 Ramen shops in Tokyo
- The History of Ramen
- Is ramen healthy?
- Summer in Japan: Best things to do
- Winter in Japan: Best things to do
- How much does it cost to visit Japan?
- Travel insurance homepage
- Travel insurance FAQs
- Our policies:
- Cheap Travel Insurance
- Single Trip Travel Insurance
- Annual Travel Insurance
- Cruise Travel Insurance
- Our cover levels:
- Bronze cover policy
- Silver cover policy
- Gold cover policy
- Platnium cover policy
- Additional cover:
- Gadget Travel Insurance
- Sports Travel Insurance
- Ski Insurance
- Water Sports Travel Insurance
- Wedding Travel Insurance
- What Happens If You Miss Your Flight?
- Winter Sports Travel Insurance
- Family travel:
- Children's Travel Insurance
- Family Travel Insurance
- Single Parent Travel Insurance
- Over 65's Travel Insurance
- Medical Insurance Homepage
- Allergies Travel Insurance
- Angina Travel Insurance
- Arthritis Travel Insurance
- Asthma Travel Insurance
- Brain Tumour Travel Insurance
- Breast Cancer Travel Insurance
- Broken Bones Travel Insurance
- Cancer Travel Insurance
- COPD Travel Insurance
- Crohn's Disease Travel Insurance
- Dementia Travel Insurance
- Depression Travel Insurance
- Diabetes Travel Insurance
- Disability Travel Insurance
- DVT Travel Insurance
- Epilepsy Travel Insurance
- Heart Condition Travel Insurance
- High Blood Pressure Travel Insurance
- Gall Stones Travel Insurance
- Lupus Travel Insurance
- MS Travel Insurance
- Prostate Cancer Travel Insurance
- Stroke Travel Insurance
- Children with Medical Conditions Travel Insurance
- Cruise Travel Insurance with Medical Conditions
- Senior Travel Insurance with Medical Conditions
- Travelling With Medication
- Travelling With Diabetes
- Adventure Travel Insurance
- Annual Cruise Travel Insurance
- Couple's Travel Insurance
- Extreme Sports Travel Insurance
- Gap Year Travel Insurance
- Group Travel Insurance
- Hiking Insurance
- Interrail Travel Insurance
- International Travel Insurance
- Long Term Travel Insurance
- Off-piste Ski Insurance
- Over 70's Travel Insurance
- Over 80's Travel Insurance
- Pregnancy Travel Insurance
- Sailing Travel Insurance
- Scuba-diving Travel Insurance
- Senior Travel Insurance
- Student Travel Insurance
- Travel Health Travel Insurance
- Under 16 Travel Insurance
- Under 18 Travel Insurance
- Volunteering Abroad Travel Insurance
- Weekend Travel Insurance
- Working Holiday Insurance
- Holiday Cancellation Insurance
- EHIC Information
- Car Hire Excess Cover
- Compare Travel Insurance
- UK
- Worldwide Travel Insurance
- European Travel Insurance
- Africa
- Australia
- Bali
- Bhutan
- Canada
- Caribbean
- China
- Columbia
- Cyprus
- Dubai
- Egypt
- France Travel insurance
- Germany
- Greece
- Halong Bay Vietnam
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia Travel Insurance
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Kenya
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Morocco
- New Orleans
- New York
- New Zealand
- Russia
- Singapore
- Spain
- South Africa
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- USA
- Vietnam Travel Insurance
Holiday Extras Cover Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Holiday Extras Cover Ltd 05058680 is registered in England and Wales. Registered address: Ashford Road, Newingreen, Kent CT21 4JF.
Holiday Extras Cover Ltd is underwritten by Travel Insurance Facilities plc which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered address: 2nd Floor, 1 Tower View, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4UY. Company number 03220410.