The Best Cafes in Koto Ward, Tokyo

In a city with way too many ultra modern hipster coffee houses, Portman’s Café is a breath of fresh air. This antique looking cafe is filled with vintage Americana and old furniture. The menu is a mix of European classics and Japanese favorites. Located northwest of Kiyosumi Garden.

Senda Cafe is a local café proud of its Shitamachi (Lower City) heritage. They have a simple, uncomplicated menu and a changing lineup of lunch specials.

This branch of Monz Cafe was once a liquor store (sakaya), and the company wanted to preserve this history when designing their café, from the outdoor bench seating to the cozy interior. According their company mission, Monz Cafe strives to be a meeting place for people to come together over a cup of coffee or tea.

Fukadaso was built out of a renovated 50 year old warehouse. Nothing much was changed, ensuring this café has a unique look and attracts an artistic crowd. The first floor is occupied by the café, while the second story is home to independent shops and offices.

Arise Coffee Entangle is located next to Kiyosumi Garden. It’s a favorite among locals, so if all the seats are full just take your coffee for a stroll in the nearby park. All their beans are roasted at the nearby Arise Coffee Roasters, where you’ll find an even larger selection of beans available.

This California coffee brand has hit the ground running in Tokyo. Like Fukadaso, Blue Bottle Coffee in Kiyosumi is built inside of an old warehouse. The café is spacious and includes a roasting room. Their signature beans and equipment are also for sale here.