Coffee Over Tea: Japanese Cafes to Beat Jetlag

In our research of Japan and minimal itinerary planning we did in preparation, tea was a common denominator. For centuries, Japanese culture revered ceremonial tea services and ingrained it within daily life. We made it a point to incorporate some form of respectful service to tea and its history as part of our planning. Yet to my surprise, coffee (and Instagrammable cafes) usurped the centuries winning non-alcoholic drink. Now there isn’t a block in Tokyo or Kyoto without an aesthetic cafe, as coffee has taken over tea as Japan’s drink of choice. Again, I blame social media. But none of that is to cast a negative light on how the Japanese prefer to hit their daily caffeine quota. Caffeine is caffeine for this fiend, and when you’re battling jetlag from a 12-hour time difference, you’ll take it in any form you can get. So I’m recapping some of my favorite Japanese cafes from my trip to Tokyo and Kyoto. And let me play spoiler: Kyoto’s cafe culture dominates Tokyo’s by a landslide. Plan accordingly.

“Japan is the most intoxicating place for me. The Japanese culture fascinates me: the food, the dress, the manners and the traditions. It’s the travel experience that has moved me the most.”

Roman Coppola

If you find yourself solo traveling to any of these Japanese cafes and would like the company of a good book, check out this list of Japanese bookstores. Bring a new read along to one of these cute coffee dates!

Switch Coffee – Tokyo

After an 18-hour travel day, we spent our first morning in Tokyo recovering. Mornings in Japan are fairly quiet, which I wasn’t expecting, so we took our time walking through different neighborhoods without bothering anyone on their morning commute. Which is how we stumbled upon Switch Coffee. Located in the lobby of the K5 Hotel in Nihonbashikabuto you’ll find a full-service Earthy cafe, restaurant, and bar. Switch Coffee has multiple locations throughout Tokyo, but this one was closest to other stops this morning. Be forewarned: Japan has a different approach to breakfast than Americans. If you find yourself here early in the morning trying to beat jetlag, you’ll definitely find caffeine. Calories might be harder to come by, as their kitchen has a limited breakfast menu and hours.

Clamp Coffee Sarasa – Kyoto

When a cup of coffee is brewed to order, and I’m not talking pour overs, you know it’s going to be damn good. After a long morning of walking nearly 10 miles across Kyoto, we found ourselves in desperate need of a 3 PM pick me up. Clamp Coffee is hidden. That’s not an understatement. It’s located in an alley off a not-so-busy road near Nijo Castle. Just when you think you’ve gotten to the end of it, there’s a whole ass street garden with greenery and flowers in full bloom. Only if you look closely enough behind the makeshift forestry will you find Clamp. I promise it’s worth the concrete jungle adventure, because this single cup of coffee with a splash of cream is the best I’ve ever had. I almost ordered a second because it was that good. Clamp’s coffee and treats menu might be minimal, but the baristas brew everything to order. They take their time crafting drinks, and you can taste the difference.

About Life Coffee Brewers – Tokyo

Shibuya Crossing has been dubbed a “shuffle”, but it’s more of a stroll in my opinion. Everyone takes their time crossing the street, reducing expected chaos to fun folklore. It’s the side streets of Shibuya that are goddamn pandemonium. I couldn’t tell you how much anxiety I experienced navigating the shops of Shibuya. People were everywhere, and as someone who has never struggled with crowds, overstimulation ran amuck. One place of reprieve is About Life Coffee Brewers. Is it because their entire interior features gorgeous green tile and accents? My green girlie bias might confirm. But the open floorplan with comfortable seating, garage door walls for airy cross breezes and a menu featuring caffeine, alcohol, and tasty treats supersedes any preexisting biases. Should you find yourself shopping around Shibuya feeling a similar anxiousness to my experience, double fist an About Life latte and local draft beer. You’ll get zero judgement from me.

kyocafe chacha Arashiyama – Kyoto

Any research into Japanese culture will produce cutesy, often infantilized styles and trends. I mean look at Hello Kitty and just about every anime and manga ever created. Food in Japan is no different, where cafes constantly update their menus to feature flavors of the moment in bright colors with ornate designs. Visiting in November on the brink of winter, our culinary itinerary included very little beyond hearty tonkotsu, filling curries, and ramen soup for the soul. Cutesy cafes did not take precedence, until we arrived at kyocafe chacha, another hotel cafe famous for their adorable waffles. Flavors include: chocolate, hazelnut, strawberry, vanilla, pistachio, and caramel with optional toppings. Beyond their waffles, they feature a full service American-style brunch: eggs, bacon and sausage, potatoes, toast, and fresh fruit and veggies. If you’re going to explore Arashiyama Bamboo Forest before the mid-morning crowds and want a proper breakfast afterwards, check out kyocafe chacha.