Intro (Takadanobaba - Jazz kissaten). 3200-4396
An old-fashioned "jazz kissa" where you can nurse your drink and nod your head to the music for hours on end.
Takadanobaba 2-14-8, NT Bldg. B1F. Open noon-midnight daily.
A sister shop to the main Hamamatsucho branch, with a large tearoom and a retail shop selling tea leaves and equipment. The tearoom is open until 5pm, and the retail shop until 8pm.
Dogenzaka 1-18-6. Open 10:30am-5pm. Closed Tuesdays.
If you're looking for real coffee - rich, strong, and with a kick - Satei Hato is the place. Hand-picked beans and careful preparation translate into superb quality. Not only are the brews top-notch, they're served in the world's most exquisite china. Savor your java in a Y190,000 cup from the porcelain kilns of Arita, while the aroma of freshly made chiffon cakes and gentle classical BGM help calm your nerves.
Shibuya 1-15-19. Open 11am-11:30pm daily.
With 450 varieties of world teas from 32 countries, Mariage Freres in Ginza offers the tea aficionado a rare combination of elegance, atmosphere and quality. Only the "finest harvests" are offered to complement an excellent selection of light meals and sinful desserts. Non-smoking.
Ginza 5-6-6. Open noon-8pm.
Watch the beautiful people stroll by at Ginza's Fugetsudo while enjoying a big chunk of kasutera and okawari ocha for under Y600. Don't leave without visiting the wagashi counter.
Ginza 6-6-1. Open 11am-9:30pm daily.
Mother Leaf brews aromatic teas from five varieties of Sri Lankan tea leaves in a peaceful, smoke-free atmosphere.
Deluxe sandwiches and desserts from famous French chef Joel Robuchon.
Nihonbashi 2-4-1, Takashimaya 2F. Open 11am-7:30pm (LO) daily.
If you'd like some scenery with your beverage, the Garden Lounge of the Hotel New Otani in Chiyoda-ku offers a stunning, panoramic view of a 400-year-old, perfectly maintained Japanese garden. Let your senses be transported to a different era as you enjoy a varied selection of coffees, teas, and seasonal desserts. Prices tend to be high, but the garden is a must-see. Continental and American breakfasts are served from 7-10am.
Kioicho 4-1, Hotel New Otani 1F. Open 6am-midnight daily.
Kissa Ko (Jimbocho - Jazz kissaten). 3239-6969
Coffee lovers as well as jazz fans will have good reason to try this charming little cafe - they grind the beans for each cup after they get an order, and the three original-blend coffees here (Y600) are excellent. The cafe occupies an old Showa-era house, with a wooden floor that creaks when you walk around. The volume of the music is relatively quiet, and listening to a lyrical trumpet solo by Clifford Brown around sunset evokes a magical, nostalgic feeling of old Tokyo. Coffee lovers as well as jazz fans will have good reason to try this charming little cafe - they grind the beans for each cup after they get an order, and the three original-blend coffees here (Y600) are excellent. The cafe occupies an old Showa-era house, with a wooden floor that creaks when you walk around. The volume of the music is relatively quiet, and listening to a lyrical trumpet solo by Clifford Brown around sunset evokes a magical, nostalgic feeling of old Tokyo.
Breakfast is served every morning from 7-11am - toast variations and tea or coffee or Chinese teas (Y600-). Unfortunately the only food served in the evening is cake, but as a plus they do have Japanese craft beers. The second floor is available for parties. Five minutes walk from exit A4 of Jimbocho station, on the small street one block behind the main road leading to Suidobashi station. [Show more] [Show less] Kanda Jimbocho 2-24. Open 7am-9pm; Sat. noon-9pm; Sun. noon-6pm. Open every day.
Eigakan (Hakusan - Jazz kissaten). 3811-8932
This cozy cafe bar is furnished with European and Japanese antiques and heavy-duty lights used for shooting movies; the ambience seems almost like that of a private detective's office in a Raymond Chandler novel. The cafe's resident cat grooms himself to the rhythms of Thelonious Monk. This cozy cafe bar is furnished with European and Japanese antiques and heavy-duty lights used for shooting movies; the ambience seems almost like that of a private detective's office in a Raymond Chandler novel. The cafe's manager is also a director who makes documentary films. A big Eric Dolphy fan, he uses the sleeve from Dolphy's "Last Date" album as his menu cover. The cafe's resident cat grooms himself to the rhythms of Thelonious Monk.
Eigakan's coffee (Y500), which is carefully prepared using a siphon system, is quite extraordinary. They also serve premium shochu and malt whiskies (Y600-), and you can enjoy original-recipe pastas and stir-fried vegetables. One minute walk from exit A3 of Hakusan station. [Show more] [Show less] Hakusan 5-33-19. Open 3-11:30pm. Closed Sundays.
212K (Harumi - Coffee shop). 5144-8224
Original-blend coffee, H&H bagels from New York, and muffins.
Harumi 1-8-16, Triton Square 2F. Open 9am-9pm daily.
Meikoukaku (Yokohama Motomachi - Tea shop). 045-201-4188
A tiny tea shop in Yokohama Chinatown serving over 40 different Chinese teas. If you've got the time and the inclination, the owner is happy to explain the various choices on the menu. There's also a small retail shop next door selling leaf tea (150 kinds), teacups and tea accessories.
Yamashitacho 220. Open 11am-8pm (LO). Closed Mondays.
