Missing the Japanese cafe scene? With the gates opening (a la Frozen) you can definitely reacquaint yourself with the various types of cafes! We've compiled 5 cafes that you should check out from 5 different prefectures, with different vibes to suit your aesthetic, from modern and industrial, to traditional, to cute as hell.
1. Tokyo: Kichijouji Petit Mura
Photo credits: Eatigo
A fan of the Ghibli films? You might want to add this village of cafes to your itinerary. With architecture straight from an Enid Blyton Faraway Tree instalment, find yourself transported into a fairytale. You'd definitely spend hours in each store of the multi-section village complex, with the adorable aesthetic and its inhabitants.
Photo credits: Tea House HAPPA
Check out the cat cafe Temari's Castle for some beautiful parfaits and lovely companions, or the tea house HAPPA for some relaxing down time. The latter has an afternoon tea set that is available from 2pm - 6pm. You can choose between a half size set („2500 before tax) which is suitable for 1 pax, or the full size set („4200 before tax), which is good for 2.
Explore the rest of the village for adorable souvenirs to buy back for your loved ones, including the handmade items at Arrivee et Depart, and biscuits at the tea shop Kichijoji Kitan. What is money, if not to be spent, after all!
đLocation: 2 Chome-33-2 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-0004 (Google Maps)
â±ïžOpening Hours: Weekdays 11am - 8pm, Weekends 10am - 8pm
2. Yamanashi: EON Coffee Roasters
Photo credits: EON Coffee Roasters
If you are a little more courageous, head down to the less travelled Yamanashi Prefecture to check out this newly opened cafe. With roughly painted walls and floors, cafe goers might get reminded of Keijometo in Johor Bahru. Its industrial and minimalist design is sure to pique your aesthetic and make the commenters say "location?" in your Tiktok video.
Photo credits: EON Coffee Roasters
Perhaps a shining (heh) star would be the Shine Muscat Yoghurt sandwich, which showcases Yamanashi's famous grapes encased in a scone-esque sandwich with yoghurt cream. Sweet and sour, it would pair nicely with a strong cup of coffee, and would make a unique experience that can't be found in Singapore. Check out their instagram here for any changes in opening hours!
đLocation: 1 Chome-3-13 Iida, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-0035 (Google Maps)
â±ïžOpening Hours: Daily (excluding Wed) 9am - 5pm
Closed on Wed!
3. Gifu: Volpe Cafe
Photo credits: Volpe
Yet another lesser travelled prefecture, Gifu is well known for its more traditional aspects. Popular for its washi paper products, such as in umbrellas and lanterns, Gifu boasts of heritage and culture. Amidst all of that, you can find Volpe, a cozy, wood-decorated cafe with a large wall to floor window to enjoy the afternoon light.
Photo credits: Volpe
Volpe provides not just a view, but a menu that covers actual food, desserts, and appetisers. Be treated to soft cheesecakes, pizzas, crackers with cream cheese and mixed nuts and more! You can also find a hairstylist, as well as a clothes store and other trinkets for a truly all in one experience.
đLocation: 6013-1 Shimoedo, Kani, Gifu 509-0203 (Google Maps)
â±ïžOpening Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs 11am - 7pm, Fri - Sun 11 am - 9pm
Closed on Wednesday!
4. Kyoto: Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya Starbucks
Photo credits: @humptydumpty/Trip Advisor
I know what you're thinking. Imagine going all the way to Japan just to visit a Starbucks. Let me raise my argument though. Not only does Starbucks Japan have a chokehold on internet users with their adorable merchandise, a yearly Japan-exclusive Sakura-themed drink menu, and a Starbucks Roastery in Tokyo, this particular Kyoto branch is housed in a 100 year old converted townhouse.
Photo credits: LiveJapan
The only tatami Starbucks in the world, the Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya branch has visitors sitting in traditional tatami floors, complete with woven fabric cushions that you'd need to remove your shoes to enter. It really does make a unique experience, so if you're thinking of visiting Kyoto, why not drop by this funky little mix of tradition and modernity?
đLocation: 605-0826 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Masuyacho, 349 (Google Maps)
â±ïžOpening Hours: Daily 8am - 8pm
5. Osaka: Bear Paw Cafe
Photo credits: Kuma no Te
Are you an introvert? Not confident in your Japanese? Maybe you just don't feel like talking to anybody at the moment. No worries if you're in Osaka, because there is a fully no human interaction cafe.
Photo credits: Kuma no Te
Not only is the cafe adorable, with its literal hole in a wall pickup point and its bear motif, Bear Paw cafe ensures that you would not need to communicate with anybody throughout the entire process. The staff are also hired by a mental health academy to aid them into reintegrating into society. The menu is quite simple, with a choice between 3 parfait flavours, 3 hot drink options and cookies. The parfaits even come with a bear cookie! You can find out more on their website here!
đLocation: 5 Chome-3-11 Uehonmachinishi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0062 (Google Maps)
â±ïžOpening Hours: Wed, Thurs & Sun 11am - 6.30pm, Fri, Sat & Holidays 11am - 7.30pm
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays!
Have you started preparing your itinerary for your Japan trip? Perhaps this article could give you some inspiration on where to go!