Iβve been a frequent visitor of Tokyo over the past decade. I have family living in Tokyo, so we make sure to visit Tokyo at least once a year. One of my favorite things to do in Tokyo when I’m there for extended time is to check out a nice cafe and sit there for awhile, either with my laptop or a book π©π»βπ»
And it turns out, Tokyo is very remote-work friendly. There are plenty of cafes and coworking spaces for you to do your work, and there are plenty of people sitting in a cafe with their laptop or books.
Visiting Tokyo? Here is my very comprehensive Tokyo travel guide. It is aimed for first-timers, but I hope even veteran visitors might still learn a thing or two.
In this post, I will list cafes Iβve visited and deemed work-friendly. Here are some topics I will be covering in this post:
- My criteria for picking cafes to work from
- Tips for working from a cafe in Tokyo
- How to find a work-friendly cafe with Google Maps
- List of Work-friendly Cafes in Tokyo
- Shibuya
- Azabu-Juban / Roppongi Hills
- Nakameguro
- Jiyugaoka
- Kanda / Jimbocho
- In Conclusion
- More cafes to work from in Tokyo
My criteria for picking cafes to work from
Similar to my Singapore working cafe list, my requirement is pretty simple:
- Laptop-friendliness β I focus on places that wonβt chase you out if you take your laptop out. This is important for me because I am non-confrontational and I don’t want to waste energy on this!
- Plenty of seating β I know cafes ultimately exists to make money, so I don’t want to feel like I’m occupying a coveted seat.
- Strong WiFi β I donβt need the WiFi to be super fast, but I need it to be reliable since all of my work is done over the internet. Ideally around 100mbps.
- Power plug / outlets β This is optional for me because my Macbook Pro battery can last awhile π but I like the option to be able to charge my devices when I’m out all day.
This is a running list, so I will be updating it periodically and reporting back if anything changes.
Tips and what you need to know when working from a cafe in Tokyo
In Tokyo, there is no shortage of trendy cafes to work from. Here are some of my tips to make it easier for you:
Data eSIM β I strongly suggest getting a data eSIM as back up in case your really need internet. It’s not a cheap option to tether from, but in case you need to do emergency video calls and Wi-Fi is not reliable, this could save your life! In my most recent visit to Tokyo, I used the eSIM provided by Klook (because itβs the cheapest one I can find) and I found that it was reliable throughout my stay Tokyo. I got 5G/LTE connection from Softbank pretty much everywhere I go in Tokyo.
Time limit β In Tokyo, many cafes impose a time limit. I’ve seen anywhere between 90 to 120 minutes. However, whether they will enforce it or not depends on the cafe. In my experience, some of them won’t ask you to leave if they are not too busy.
Clean up after yourself β Some cafe will have a dedicated space where you can return your used cups and plates. Please do this instead of leaving your cups on the table when you’re done.
Photography etiquette β Some cafes (as well as shops and restaurants) in Japan do not allow photography, for protecting the privacy of staff and customers. Although I don’t see it very often in Tokyo, just make sure you to look for “no photos” sign before taking a picture. It’s usually pretty obvious.
Peak times β After visiting many cafes, I observed that the busiest time for cafes tend to be in the afternoon after lunch (around 2PM). Mornings might get busy around 10AM, but people usually leave for lunch. At lunch time (noon) cafes are usually pretty empty.
Shared co-working space β In Tokyo, there is a concept of shared working space or shared lounge which allows you to work for as long as you pay for. Personally I think this option is quite pricey – the typical rate is 900 – 1,000 yen per hour or 2,500 – 3,300 yen per day. In comparison, I spend about 2,400 yen a day when cafe-hopping and that includes 2 drinks and a simple lunch. But, co-working spaces do give you peace of mind, so it could be worth it. Here are some examples of such places:
- (tefu) lounge – location in Jiyugaoka, Shimokitazawa and Yoyogi Uehara
- .andwork – many locations all around Japan. In Tokyo, they have location in Shibuya, Shibuya-Higashi and Azabu Juban.
Chain coffee shops β This blog post emerged from my lack of enthusiasm to go to Starbucks while I’m Tokyo. But, if all fails, they’re actually a good option to work from. Look for Starbucks and Tsutaya combination. Tsutaya is the biggest bookstore chain in Tokyo and in some locations, usually the one that collaborates with Starbucks, they have free wifi and working space. Sarutahiko is a local coffee chain that also provides Wi-Fi at their branches.
Kissaten vs Cafe β While looking for a cafe to work from in Tokyo, be aware of Kissaten. Kissaten is a retro traditional coffeeshop in Japan. It started as a tea-drinking shops, but they are now mainly serving coffee and light bites. You can usually spot them with their vintage decor, retro-vibes and coffee served in tea cups nary latte arts. While some Kissatens do provide Wi-Fi, they are not a place to come and open a laptop for an extended period of time.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Free Wifi β Some Tokyo Metropolitan areas have free wifi coverage provided by the government. It doesnβt cover everywhere, and in my experience they usually don’t exist in places where I’d like to work, but if youβre going to popular areas there is a big chance they will have this free wifi. It’s good for emergencies. Click here for more information and map of coverage.
How to find a work-friendly cafe in Tokyo with Google Maps
How is your Japanese? Despite learning the language for a few years, mine is not so good π. So before we go on, here are a few Japanese words that helped me in the topic of working from a cafe. These terms also helps you find your own work-friendly cafe!
Here are the terms:
| Wi-Fi | γ―γ€γγ‘γ€ (pronounced as: wai-fai) |
| Power Plug / Outlet | γ³γ³γ»γ³γ (pronounced as: konsento) |
| Cafe | γ«γγ§ (pronounced as: ka-fe) |
If you want to ask if there cafe has a wifi, you can ask “Kono kafe ni wi-fi wa arimasu ka?“. Similarly, if you want to ask if there is a power plug, you can say “Kono kafe ni konsento wa arimasu ka?“
To find a cafe to work from, I use none other than: Google Maps! More specifically, I rely on crowd-sourced reviews and photos on Google Maps to find out whether a cafe has good Wi-Fi and seating that is suitable for working.
Here is what I do:
- Find cafes with Wi-Fi – On Google Maps, I pick a neighborhood I want to work from, then I do a broad search for γ«γγ§ γ―γ€γγ‘γ€, which means “Cafe Wi-Fi”. This would give you a list of cafes with Wi-Fi mentioned in the reviews in Japanese. Similarly, you can also search for “cafe free wifi” in english which will give you a list of cafe with free Wi-Fi. In Japan, Google Maps reviews are often written in Japanese so it helps to search in both languages.
- Research the cafe – Then I go through each cafe one by one. Within the reviews for the cafe, I search for γ―γ€γγ‘γ€ and “Wi-Fi” to confirm what people say about the Wi-Fi speed. Also I go through the comments just to get a general feel whether working is viable there (look out for time limit), and what their menu looks like.
- Look at photos – I also look at the photos of the cafe (filter it to “Vibe” on Google Maps). I pay attention to seating to make sure they are good to work from. Some cafes only have lounge seats, which makes it difficult to work from with a laptop.
- Create a list – Finally, if I’m happy with everything, I shortlist the cafe by adding the cafe to a dedicated “Cafe to work from” list so I can quickly decide on the spot which cafe I want to go to.
Work-friendly Cafes in Tokyo
So without further ado, here is my list of cafes I’ve worked from in Tokyo, divided by areas for your convenience. These are cafes that I liked and will visit again.
- Shibuya
- Azabu-Juban / Roppongi
- Nakameguro
- Jiyugaoka
- Kanda / Jimbocho
Save the list on Google Maps: You can also view a list of the cafes on Google Maps here and save it so that you can refer back easily!
1. Shibuya
Shibuya does not need introduction. It is unequivocally the center of Tokyo. Working from Shibuya has the advantage of connectivity – many train lines will take you here or at the very least, you can get to Shibuya with minimal transfers.
1.1 Freeman Cafe in Shibuya
| Address | γ150-0002 Tokyo, Shibuya, 1 Chomeβ16β14 (map) Located on the 2nd floor of Metro Plaza |
| Hours | 9AM to 11PM everyday |
| Closest Station | Shibuya Station, located right above Exit B1 |
| Power Plug | β Available in many seats |
| Wi-Fi | β The cafe has its own Wi-Fi, speed is fast |
| Toilet | β There is a toilet in the building, close to the cafe |
| Time Limit | π 2 hours |
Freeman Coffee ticks all the boxes: good fast wifi that they don’t hide (the password is on every table), comfy seats with big tables, and most seats has a power plug underneath.
While Tokyo is safe enough to leave your belongings for short period of time, there is a toilet nearby, right across from the cafe. So if you’re working alone and nervous about leaving your laptop, you can just dash there really quick.
Ordering is a breeze! Just scan the QR on the table and place your order. No fumbling with Nihongo if you’re not confident yet, like me π. Paying also does not require any human interaction. When it’s time for you to leave, staff member will place a receipt on your table. Just go to the payment machine and scan the barcode, where you can make payment with cash, credit card (touchless option included) and other E-Money payment options.
Aside from the usual coffee and tea options, there is a weekday lunch menu from 1100 to 1250 yen, consiting of the usual suspects of “Yoshoku” food options in Japan (Think omurice, beef curry, etc).
Despite them catering to remote workers, the cafe attracts a good mix of normal cafe-goers who were there for the drinks and food, and not just remote workers who are here to work out of the cafe.
What’s the catch? Well, there is 2 hour time limit, but I’ll share my tips on how to extend this slightly. Also, their coffee is expensive but average. An iced latte costs 800 yen which is… almost as pricey as cafes in Singapore. I’m not complaining, because the place has really amazing vibe with plenty of large windows and natural sunshine. Staff is really nice too!
Plan to come here early, before 10:30AM. When I was here on a Thursday morning, the place filled up by 11:00AM. They are open from 9:00AM.
My move here is to come at 10AM, buy a drink and use up my 2-hour limit. Then at noon, I order lunch to extend my seating privileges just a little bit more – and I bail just before the lunch crowd π . Two birds one stone! Now you don’t have to think about where to have lunch today.
1.2 Streamer Coffee Company in Shibuya
| Address | 1 Chome-20-28 Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0002 (map) |
| Hours | 8AM to 8PM everyday |
| Closest Station | Shibuya Station, about 3 minutes walk from Exit B1 |
| Power Plug | β About 10 plugs available on the high chair seats |
| Wi-Fi | π The cafe has its own Wi-Fi, but can be a bit slow at times |
| Toilet | β The cafe has its own toilet |
| Time Limit | π’ None |
Just a few steps away from Freeman Coffee is Streamer Coffee Company, located in a small alley. Streamer is not a secret to digital nomads. They are known to be laptop friendly and provides free Wi-Fi.
But what makes Streamer truly great is that they serve actually good coffee. I’m far from being a coffee connoisseur myself, but I can tell that the coffee is better than regular places. A glass of cold brew costed 750 yen. Aside from coffee, they also have a selection of pastries and small bites available.
There are plenty of electrical plugs by the high chair seating, which makes it convenient for remote working! The cafe does get a bit noisy though, so it may not be good for video calls, but a lady who were sitting next to me managed to do an hour-long video call.
When I came here at 12:30PM on a weekday, the cafe is about half full. But, most people were occupying the lounge seats, not the high chair which is more desirable for working with a laptop. There is only one other guest on the high chair. However, towards the later part of the afternoon, the cafe starts to fill out at around 3PM.
There is no seating limit that I’m aware of so you could technically sit here all day if you want. However, I did find the Wi-Fi speed to be variable – sometimes it gets a little slow, but still useable.
Bonus for non-Japanese speakers: Lady at the cashier speaks english really well which makes ordering a breeze.
1.3 Little Darling Coffee Roasters in Aoyama
| Address | 1 Chome-12-32 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo (map) |
| Hours | 10AM to 7PM everyday |
| Closest Station | – Aoyama-Itchome on Ginza, Oedo and Hanzomon line – Nogizaka on Chiyoda Line |
| Power Plug | π Only available at select seats (towards the back of the cafe) |
| Wi-Fi | π Provided by the city, decent speed |
| Toilet | β There is a toilet in the building, close to the cafe |
| Time Limit | π’ None |
Located in the upscale neighborhood of Aoyama, Little Darling Coffee Roaster definitely wins for the space. It’s located in Share Green Aoyama Minami, which has this awesome expansive greeneries in front of it. An oasis in a big city like Tokyo!
There are limited seating outside, in case you want to enjoy the good weather and peaceful surrounding.
I opted to sit inside though, since the day I went was TOO good of a day that the sun was hurting my eyes. Inside, there are many seating option, nicely spaced out with industrial theme.
The coffee is fairly priced, but I thought it was nothing to write home about. Aside from coffee, they also have a limited selections of pastries.
There is Wi-Fi in this cafe, however it’s provided by the city instead of owned by the shop. I found it decent enough that I was able to conduct a video call though.
1.4 Garden House Crafts in Daikanyama
| Address | γ150-0034 Tokyo, Shibuya, Daikanyamacho (map) Located within Log Road |
| Hours | 8:30AM to 6PM everyday |
| Closest Station | Daikan-yama station on Toyoko line |
| Power Plug | βοΈ No plugs |
| Wi-Fi | β The cafe has its own Wi-Fi |
| Toilet | β The cafe has its own toilet |
| Time Limit | π’ None |
Daikanyama is one of my favorite neighborhood in Tokyo. I even have a blog post dedicated to it. Turns out, it’s a great place to work from too!
Garden House Craft ticks all my remote-work criteria: it has plenty of seating options (both indoor and outdoor), good coffee, delicious cakes, meal-worthy sandwiches, and strong wi-fi. On weekdays afternoon, they are not very busy which is always a huge plus.
Aside from a light bites menu (consisting of sandwiches, coffee, and tea), they also have beautiful cakes and delicate cookies to accompany your drink. I tried their Ginger Rose cookie and I loved it so much that I bought more packets to take home.
1.5 Valley Park Stand in Shibuya
| Address | 150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya,6 Chomeβ20β10 (map) On the R (4th) floor of Miyashita Park North |
| Hours | 8AM to 10PM everyday |
| Closest Station | Shibuya Station, just a few minutes away from exit B1 |
| Power Plug | β Available on most seats |
| Wi-Fi | β The cafe has its own Wi-Fi, speed is fast (120Mbps) |
| Toilet | β There is a toilet nearby |
| Time Limit | π’ No limit |
Valley Park Stand is located in the lobby of Sequence Hotel, a trendy hotel located on top of the newly renovated complex in Miyashita Park.
To get here, go to the northern part of Miyashita Park complex, then take an elevator up to the “R” floor. This takes you to the roof top of the building. There is a Starbucks here, but don’t get distracted – head to Sequence Hotel and you’ll find Valley Park Stand at the lobby.
The cafe is perfect to work from – laptop-friendly, with plugs on the long sharing table and a fast free Wi-Fi provided by the Sequence Hotel.
Prices are reasonable. I paid 650 yen for the latte which was served in this super cute mug. Btw, they’re a cashless store, so make sure you come here with proper payment methods – either credit card or IC card.
Aside from drinks, they serve bite-sized wrap and panini sandwiches priced starting from 700 to 990 yen. And baked goods like cookies and brownies from 500 yen. I got their basque cheesecake for 660 yen.
There is a set lunch option from 11:00 to 18:00, where you can get sandwich, fries and a choice of drink for about 1,450 – 1,850 yen (price depends on your choice of sandwich and drink). I would say though, the portion is quite small like many other cafes in Tokyo, so don’t eat here if you have big appetite.
The cafe does get a little busy. I arrived here at 9:30AM on a public holiday weekday and the cafe is already bustling with people working on their laptops. There are only a few seats available on the long sharing table. They are also video call friendly – As I’m typing this review, two people next to me are doing video calls.
Overall, despite the crowd, it’s a very comfortable place to work from and the location can’t be beat – so I’ll definitely be back here.
1.6 Trunk Bar Lounge in Shibuya
| Address | 5 Chome-31 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001 (map) Lobby of Trunk Hotel |
| Hours | 8AM to 11PM everyday |
| Closest Station | Shibuya Station, just about 5 minutes away from exit B1 |
| Power Plug | β Available on the working seats (about 20 seats) and the lounge seats |
| Wi-Fi | β The cafe has its own Wi-Fi, speed is fast (360Mbps) |
| Toilet | β There is a toilet in the hotel lobby |
| Time Limit | π’ No limit |
Trunk Lounge is located at the lobby of the trendy Trunk Hotel, a relatively new hotel opened in 2017. While it’s actually a bar, you can order coffee and chai too.
It’s not the most quiet space since there are a lot of people in the hotel lobby, especially in the late afternoon. There is also no natural light in this space so it tends to be a bit dark, but in a good way because the space is designed for that.
Overall, I think the ambience is great and they’ll let you stay for as long as you need. Their internet is from Trunk hotel and it’s very fast, around 360mbps when I tested. There are also plugs along the working tables.
The only down side is the price of beverages. It’s 950 yen for an iced latte, which is hands down the most expensive coffee I’ve seen in Tokyo so far. Taste great though!
2. Azabu-Juban / Roppongi Hills
Roppongi used to have a bad rep because it was well known as seedy night life district. However, this is a thing of a past. Roppongi has transformed to become a more upscale neighborhood with luxurious malls and offices in the recent years.
2.1 Uni Coffee Roastery in Azabu-Juban
| Address | γ106-0044 Tokyo, Higashiazabu, 3 Chomeβ10β5 (map) |
| Hours | 10AM – 9PM everyday |
| Closest Station | Azabu-Juban station on Oedo and Namboku line |
| Power Plug | β Plugs available on many of the working seats |
| Wi-Fi | π’ Uses hotel Wi-Fi, moderate speed (45Mbps) |
| Toilet | β There is toilet at the hotel lobby |
| Time Limit | π 120 minutes |
Uni Coffee Roastery is located within the lobby of Oakwood Hotel in Azabu-Juban. As it is part of the hotel, the amenities are shared with the hotel such as Wi-Fi and toilet. They are technically open before 10, but the area is reserved for breakfast for Oakwood hotel guests. At 10AM they will open to the public.
To get the Wi-Fi, you need an access code which you can get at the hotel reception or at the cafe. Wi-Fi speed was only in the 40-45Mbps range when I tested it, but it feels fast when I used it and was not an issue for me.
The space is very open with plenty of natural light, and there are plugs along the working tables. I like that they have high ceiling, which makes it feel not stuffy.
Aside from coffee and tea, they serve light bites sandwiches in the range of 800 – 900 yen. But keep in mind, the sandwiches are mini-sized so they’re only good for snacks. Not a full meal.
There is a 120 minute seating limit per order, but I don’t see them enforcing it unless the cafe is busy.
3. Nakameguro
Nakameguro is a small cozy neighborhood located very close to Shibuya – just 3 stops away! But the vibe of Nakameguro is so different. Many cafes and eateries are located along the Meguro river, which makes it a very peaceful neighborhood to spend the day in.
3.2 Good Sound Coffee in Nakameguro
| Address | 1 Chome-6-5 Kamimeguro, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0051 (map) |
| Hours | 8AM to 11PM everyday |
| Closest Station | Nakameguro station on Hibiya and Toyoko Line |
| Power Plug | β Plugs underneath the tables by the wall |
| Wi-Fi | β The cafe has its own Wi-Fi, fast speed (250Mbps) |
| Toilet | β The cafe has its own toilet |
| Time Limit | π 100 minutes |
Good Sound Coffee is located just 5 minutes walk away from Nakameguro Station. It’s on a small street away from the main street, which I like because that means less traffic and noise.
The cafe looked small from the outside, but once I entered, I was glad to find out there is a whole seating area towards the back of the cafe. They also have high ceiling in the seating area so that it does not feel too cramped.
While there are plenty of seating in this cafe, the ones with electric plugs access are only the ones along the wall.
There is a 100-minute seating limit. You don’t have to do the mental math because as soon as you buy something, you’ll get a piece of paper stating exactly when your seating privilege will be over. If you buy more beverage or pastries, it will extend your limit because you’ll get another piece of paper with new time limit.
I got an iced latte for 630 yen. Their coffee is decent – better than Starbucks but definitely not S-tier coffee. Overall I’d say it’s worth a visit if you’re looking to work around Nakameguro.
Good Sound Coffee is very popular and they open at 8AM everyday. We came bright and early at 9AM on a public holiday, and the cafe is already half full. About an hour later, the cafe was completely full. Most people are definitely here to stay for awhile, as evident with the amount of laptops and books you can see in the photo.
3.2 Streamer Coffee Company in Nakameguro
| Address | γ153-0042 Tokyo, Meguro City, Aobadai, 2 Chomeβ16β6 (map) |
| Hours | 8:30AM to 7PM everyday |
| Closest Station | Nakameguro station on Hibiya and Toyoko Line (10 minutes walk) Ikejiri-ohashi station on Den-en-toshi line (18 minutes walk) |
| Power Plug | β Plugs available on the high chair seats |
| Wi-Fi | π’ The cafe has its own Wi-Fi, fast speed (560Mbps!) |
| Toilet | β The cafe has its own toilet |
| Time Limit | π’ None |
While this Streamer Coffee Company location is quite a walk away from train station (the closest one is 10 minutes walk), it is located in the trendy area of Nakameguro, which is right by the Meguro river. So it’s not a bad walk at all!
Similar to the Shibuya location, this location in Nakameguro is very work-friendly. You’ll see many people here with laptops. And it’s actually bigger than the Shibuya location. There are plenty of work-conducive seating in this cafe, and a lot of natural light as it’s surrounded with floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
As with other Streamer Coffee branches, there is an area with high chair seating provides electrical plugs which is ideal for work.
Streamer offers decent coffee, but they are also priced more than average. A latte costs 800 yen here. I was curious about macchiato, so I ordered it, but I realized later that I have established I don’t like macchiato since it’s an espresso drink and quite bitter π It’s still good though!
Unlike the Shibuya branch, the internet speed is ultra fast here. I got 560Mbps when I was here, which is the fastest internet I’ve seen in all of the cafes I’ve visited in Tokyo so far.
4. Jiyugaoka
Jiyugaoka is well known among locals in Tokyo as a stylish neighborhood, but lesser known by tourists. When you get here, you’ll understand why. There is not many tall buildings and big roads here, just small narrow streets filled with trendy boutique shops.
4.1 Alpha Beta Coffee Club (Milche) in Jiyugaoka
| Address | γ152-0035 Tokyo, Meguro City, Jiyugaoka, 2 Chomeβ10β4 (map) Located on the 3rd floor of Milche building |
| Hours | 9AM to 9PM everyday (close at 8PM on Sunday) |
| Closest Station | Jiyugaoka station on Oimachi and Toyoko Line |
| Power Plug | β Plugs underneath the long shared table |
| Wi-Fi | π The cafe has its own Wi-Fi, but slow (10Mbps) |
| Toilet | β The cafe has its own toilet |
| Time Limit | π 2 hours |
Alpha Beta Coffee Club is a stylish cafe located in the equally stylish area of Tokyo called Jiyugaoka. Just for your information, there are two Alpha Beta Coffee branches in Jiyugaoka. They are close by to each other, so the photos on Google Maps are often mixed up. One branch is at Concord building (the one with red bricks) and one on the 3rd floor of Milche building. I’m writing about the branch located at Milche building.
I like this location because it’s somewhat hidden. The building looked like any other retail shop in Tokyo – there is a konbini (7/11), a bank and McDonalds on the lower floors. But once you take the elevator to third floor, you’ll see Alpha Beta Coffee Club.
The cafe is not huge, but it’s quiet. When I visited on a Friday morning at 10AM, I was just one of the three guests there. In the middle of the cafe, there is a long shared table with plugs underneath.
I ordered an iced latte which costs 650 yen, and on first sip I was blown away by how good it is! Definitely worth coming here just for the coffee.
There is a 2 hour seating limit, though I’m not sure if they’d enforce it when the cafe isn’t busy. There is Wi-Fi and the password is shared openly on the table and on the letterboard behind the cashier, but the speed isn’t very fast – only about 10 Mbps. This would still be useable for most people though.
Aside from the indoor seating, there is also an outdoor roof top seating. Unfortunately the building across is having a massive renovation at the moment so there isn’t much of a view.
4.2 Alpha Beta Coffee Club (Concord) in Jiyugaoka
| Address | Jiyugaoka Concord 2 Chome-9-24 Jiyugaoka, Meguro City, Tokyo 152-0035 (map) |
| Hours | 8AM to 8PM everyday (close at 8PM on Sunday) |
| Closest Station | Jiyugaoka station on Oimachi and Toyoko Line |
| Power Plug | β Plugs underneath the long shared table |
| Wi-Fi | π’ The cafe has its own Wi-Fi, with decent speed (30 to 350Mbps) |
| Toilet | β The cafe has its own toilet |
| Time Limit | π’ 2 hours but not enforced |
I was so impressed by Alpha Beta Coffee in Milche, that I decided to check out the branch at Concord too. And I’m so glad I did, because this one is even better!
While the decor is pretty much the same, the Concord building branch feels a lot more welcoming and warmer, due to to the larger size, the terracota brick exterior, and the general layout of the entire place.
On a good day they leave the main door open and it makes it feel like you’re working al fresco, even though you’re technically inside. There is so much natural light here.
The internet speed is also much better here than the Milche building, although it’s still qutie slow at 30Mbps. However I suspect they control the speed because magically in the afternoon when there are more patrons, the speed increased to 350Mbps.
4.3 amber in Jiyugaoka
| Address | γ158-0083 Tokyo, 5 Chomeβ42β3 (map) Part of (tefu) in Trainichi |
| Hours | 9AM – 9PM everyday |
| Closest Station | Jiyugaoka station on Oimachi and Toyoko Line |
| Power Plug | β Plugs underneath the high table and shared table |
| Wi-Fi | β The cafe has its own Wi-Fi, fast speed (180 Mbps) |
| Toilet | β The cafe has its own toilet |
| Time Limit | π’ None |
Located just next to the train tracks in an outdoor shopping area called Trainichi, amber is yet another work-friendly and stylish cafe in Jiyugaoka. There are plenty of seating here with power plugs, and the Wi-Fi is fast, about 180MBps when I ran my speed test.
They’re a cashless store, so make sure you come here with proper payment methods – either credit card or IC card.
You can choose to sit at the high table facing the train if you’d like. There are power plugs underneath the table. Every 5 minutes or so, you can see the Toyoko line train pass by. But don’t worry, it’s not noisy! They’ve done a great job sound-proofing the space. And as a bonus, the high table is at a perfect height if you want to use it as standing table.
But if you prefer a normal table, you can sit at the long oval shared table instead. It’s closer to the toilet while still providing plenty of natural light, and a power plug.
I came here at lunch time so I ordered the Apple Prosciutto Brie sandwich (990 yen) and a cold brew (660 yen). The cold brew was decent, but I’m so sad to report that the sandwich came in… very mini itty-bitty size. It was more of a snack rather than a meal at lunch. I was definitely not full after devouring this.
The best thing about this place? No time limit on seating. I’m definitely coming back here again.
4.4 Latte Graphic at Jiyugaoka
| Address | γ152-0035 Tokyo, Jiyugaoka, 1 Chomeβ8β18 2F (map) |
| Hours | 7AM – 9PM everyday |
| Closest Station | Jiyugaoka station on Oimachi and Toyoko Line |
| Power Plug | π’ Plugs available on many seats |
| Wi-Fi | π’ Cafe has its own, fast speed (125 Mbps) |
| Toilet | β There is a toilet within the cafe |
| Time Limit | π 2 hours |
Latte Graphic is located next to Rue Marie Claire, a trendy Parisian-inspired shopping street near Jiyugaoka station.
While it is a beautiful cafe, I’m not a fan of it as a place to work. It’s more of a trendy spot to catch up with friends – you’ll see what I mean when lunch crowd hits. In the afternoon, the demographic is mostly female, enjoying instagrammable drink or a beautifully presented dish. It’s not a bad thing (because who doesn’t like beautiful food?!), but it is not exactly work-conducive and the noise level increases a lot during lunch time.
However, they do allow you to work on your laptop. They also provide fast Wi-Fi and have seats with electric plugs. Moreover, it is one of the few cafes that is open everyday bright and early at 7AM, when most others only open 9AM onwards.
I would suggest coming here early in the morning and leave around lunch time and go elsewhere. There are plenty of other work-friendly cafes in the vicinity of Jiyugaoka.
But if you need lunch, Latte Graphic also a good option as they serve mains, so you can also have early lunch here before escaping elsewhere once the lunch crowd comes in. There is a 2-hour seating limit anyway.
5. Kanda / Jimbocho
Kanda is a district located in the northern part of Tokyo. Within Kanda, you’ll find Jimbocho, a neighborhood known for vintage bookstores and traditional old Japan atmosphere (also curiously, a place to buy skiwear). Jimbocho is also known for curry, and not just the Japanese curry kind – there is a large variety of curry here so that’s one idea for lunch. There is a spot nearby called Bondy, that serves amazing Japanese curry but it require planning ahead since it’s popular. It’s an interesting neighborhood to be in.
5.1 Onca Coffee in Jimbocho
| Address | Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Kanda Nishikicho, 3 Chomeβ1 Yasuda Sequence Tower, 1F (map) |
| Hours | 8:30AM to 6:30PM everyday |
| Closest Station | Jimbocho Station, 8 minutes away from exit A8 |
| Power Plug | β Available on the long seat |
| Wi-Fi | β The cafe has its own Wi-Fi, speed is moderate (30Mbps) |
| Toilet | β There is a toilet next to the cashier |
| Time Limit | π’ No limit |
Onca Coffee is located between Jimbocho and Otemachi station, but it leans more towards Otemachi. The cafe is basically a pop-up that catered for remote working.
Onca Coffee is located in the 1st floor of Yasuda Sequence Tower, and as soon as you enter the building you’re greeted with the welcoming sight of a big long working table with power plugs beneath. An eye candy for any remote workers!
Their free Wi-Fi is open to use, but you need to provide your birth year and gender to access. You also need to do this every hour because one connection only gives you Wi-Fi for 60 minutes. The coffee is reasonably priced at 500 yen for black coffee, but it’s served in a paper cup.
The best part? There is no time limit. The chairs and tables are comfortable so you can practically sit here all day.
5.2 Think Coffee in Otemachi
| Address | γ101-0054 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Kanda Nishikicho 2 Chomeβ9β15 1F-2F (map) |
| Hours | 8AM to 7PM everyday |
| Closest Station | Jimbocho Station, 9 minutes away from exit A8 Otemachi Station, 9 minutes walk from exit C2b |
| Power Plug | β Available on some seats in 2nd floor |
| Wi-Fi | β The cafe has its own Wi-Fi, speed is fast (120 Mbps) |
| Toilet | β There is a toilet on premise |
| Time Limit | π’ No limit |
Think Coffee is another cafe located between Jimbocho and Otemachi, but leans more towards the Otemachi side.
The vibe of this cafe is very westernized – Think Coffee originated from NYC after all and it’s quite evident by the fact that they serve… bagels. You won’t feel like you’re in Tokyo, except for the presence of Uji Matcha latte on their menu for 850 yen. But to be honest, you’re not here for the beverages.
Think Coffee is split across 2 floors with plenty of seating. If you want to do work here for a prolonged period of time, go straight to the 2nd floor. I feel the first floor is a little noisy. The second floor on the other hand, has plenty of working tables and plugs.
Overall, they get a huge A+ for me for the work-friendliness. Their beverage is very average though, and even more on the expensive side compared to other cafes in Tokyo I’ve been to so far. But I’ll definitely be back here for the good vibes!
In Conclusion
After a full month of working out of many different cafes around Tokyo, here is what I think:
There are so many work-friendly cafes in Tokyo that you don’t really need to aim for a specific cafe. Rather, you should choose an area that aligns with your after-work or lunch plans, and look for a cafe around that area. I have left my tips on how to find a work-friendly cafe using Google Maps above.
However, not all neighborhoods will have such cafes. In terms of location, even after exploring so many options, I still think Shibuya to be the easiest area to work from. It’s because there are so many work-friendly cafes located in Shibuya, so you’re bound to find something that suits what you’re looking for. I have to admit I am not a fan of coming to Shibuya because it is usually very crowded, but I can’t deny the convenience here.
However, if you’re willing to explore smaller neighborhood, I highly recommend checking out Jiyugaoka at least one day. It’s a trendy neighborhood just a bit outside of central Tokyo, and pretty well-connected.
More cafes to work from in Tokyo
As I was saying before, this list will continue to grow. I’m always on the look out for places to work from in Tokyo. Here are places I’ve shortlisted that I haven’t had the chance to visit yet:
- Connel Coffee at Akasaka
- tagcafe in Shimo-Kitazawa
- Maruyama Coffee in Nishi-Azabu
- Espresso D Works at Toranomon Hills – there’s free wifi provided around Toranomon Hills, so all you have to do is find a place to sit.
And that’s all I have to say about work-friendly cafes in Tokyo! Please feel free to leave any comments below if you have any.
Have fun cafe hopping in Tokyo π©π»βπ»
Visiting Tokyo? Here is my very comprehensive Tokyo travel guide. It is aimed for first-timers, but I hope even veteran visitors would still learn a thing or two.