10 Cozy Book Cafes To Check Out in Tokyo

Get some actual reading done at these book cafes in the city.

When it starts feeling chilly, the fall girl in me is rearing to go. It’s the season to catch up on my reading, of course! During crisp, cool days, I like to take my book to the park or library.  However, the cherry on top of all my reading experiences has to be at book cafes in Tokyo. What could be better than sipping and turning pages while the city rushes by?

These 10 book cafes in Tokyo are not only small and cozy but easy to get to. Many are located within walking distance of train stations. Although some featured on this list are hidden in plain sight, you can always give the cafe a call for directions. And if you’re hungry, many of them offer bites to eat or even substantial meals so you can finish those pages without starving. 

1. Weekenders Coffee All Right

© Photo by Weekenders Coffee All Right

When a proofreading company opens a bookstore, you pay attention. Kamome Books is home to not only curated shelves but also a popular book cafe. Sip a delicious hand-dripped brew and peruse books chosen by the pros. Some of the seating is outside, giving this cafe a somewhat European vibe.

• Address: Daiichi Yarai Building 1F, Yaraicho 123, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)
• Closest Station: Kagurazaka Station, less than a 1-minute walk
• Price: Coffee from ¥550
• Opening hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Closed on Wednesdays

2. Books Itomai

© Photo by Books Itomai

With places like Starbucks and Tully’s a dime a dozen in Tokyo, it’s hard to find that one cafe that ticks all the boxes for bookworms. Intimate? Check. Rustic? Check. Adjoining bookstore? Check. No talking allowed? Check, check, check! The only downsides: opening hours are fickle and you can only use the cafe for up to two and a half hours. 

• Address: Machida Building 2F, 1-2-5 Tokiwadai, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)
• Closest Station: Tokiwadai Station, 1-minute walk
• Price: Drinks from ¥500; Weekdays ¥30 charge per seat; Weekends & Holidays ¥50 charge per seat
• Opening hours: Check X and Instagram

3. Manga and Coffee

Although manga cafes can be found around every street corner in Tokyo, this is not your average manga cafe. Firstly, you can actually read here! The manga collection is extensive, with over 50,000 titles! Another plus: the atmosphere is relaxed, open and clean, qualities many manga cafes are not known for.

• Address: Akimoto Building 2F, 2-42-17 Sasazuka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)
• Closest Station: Sasazuka Station, 3-minute walk
• Price: ¥1,500 to stay all day!
• Opening hours: 10 a.m.-1 a.m.

4. Mafumi Coffee and Books

© Photo by Mafumi Coffee and Books

A hidden book cafe in Tokyo with a secret door? Yes, please! This cafe also challenges you to try coffee brewed in different ways from just one bean variety. The floor-to-ceiling shelves are also jampacked with around 4000 books, reflecting the owner’s motley tastes. 

• Address: 3-1-7 Kanda Ogawamachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)
• Closest Station: Jimbocho Station, 5-minute walk
• Price: Coffee from ¥900 
• Opening hours: Weekdays 12 p.m.-11 p.m.; Weekends & Holidays 12 p.m.-9 p.m. 

5. Aruza Dokushoukan

© Photo by Aruza Dokushoukan in Google Map

This place may be tiny, but it’s worth it if you value absolute quiet while reading. Squirrel away in this enclave with a nice brew and a book. Or just stare at the aquarium fish and browse the shelves to your heart’s content. Note that this cafe can have long wait times.

• Address: 3-57-6, Koenjiminami, Suganami City, Tokyo (Google Map Link)
• Closest Station: Koenji Station, 5-minute walk
• Price: Drinks from ¥680
• Opening hours: 12 p.m.-10 p.m.; Closed on Mondays

6. Book House Cafe

© Photo by Book House Cafe

With over 10,000 picture books, this bright cafe is a little kid’s fantasy. Up the spiral staircase and past the Narnia-like lamppost, you’ll also find Kitazawa bookstore, which is great for secondhand foreign books.

• Address: Kitazawa Building 1F, 2-5 Kanda Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (Google Map link)
• Closest Station: Jimbocho Station, 1-minute walk
• Price: Adult drinks from ¥500, Children’s drinks from ¥300
• Opening hours: Weekdays 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Weekends & Public Holidays 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

7. Mori no Tosyo Shitsu

© Photo by Mori no Tosyo Shitsu

When the owner wanted a library vibe but with chatting, eating, drinking and much friendlier after-work hours, he created this “Forest Library.” Even though it’s located close to the Shibuya scramble, it feels miles away from that madness. Be sure to sample food from your favorite books and Ghibli movies here, too!

• Address: Shibuya Daiichi Kangin Kyodo Building 8F, 23-3 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo  (Google Map Link)
• Closest Station: Shibuya Station, 1-minute walk
• Price: One hour with unlimited soft drinks ¥1,120
• Opening hours: 9 a.m.-10:45 p.m.

8. RBL Cafe

© Photo by RBL Cafe

Short for “Reference Book Library,” the RBL book cafe in Tokyo promises to “tickle your intellectual curiosity” with around 7000 eclectically selected reference books. No literary works here but dictionaries, encyclopedias and more! There are even quiz trivia nights if that’s your thing.

• Address: 5-32-12 Daizawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo (Google Map Link)
• Closest Station: Shimokitazawa Station, 5-minute walk
• Price: Weekday plan: 3 hours for ¥300 (pay for drink separately)
• Opening hours: Weekdays have irregular hours, so check the website for updates; Weekends & Holidays 1 p.m.-8 p.m.

9. Passage bis! Books & Cafe

© Photo by Passage bis! Books & Cafe

Step into another world right in the middle of Tokyo! With dark-toned furnishings, chandeliers and jewel-toned walls, Passage bis definitely gives off some major Parisian vibes—order and head upstairs to get some serious reading time in.

• Address: Sunside Jimbocho 3F, 1-15-3 Kanda Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)
• Closest Station: Jimbocho Station, 1-minute walk
• Price: Drinks from ¥650
• Opening hours: 12 p.m.-7 p.m.

10. Kaido Books and Coffee

© Photo by Kaido Books and Coffee

This book cafe in Tokyo welcomes all “travelers” to Shinagawa, famous for being the first stop on the old Tokaido trail. Settle in with a good book from its extensive book collection and dig into one of the cafe’s signature scones or unique hot dogs.

• Address: Maruya Bldg 103, 2-3-7 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)
• Closest Station: Kita-Shinagawa Station (5-minute walk)
• Price: Kaido dog from ¥900
• Opening hours: Wed-Fri 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Weekends & Holidays 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays

Be sure to bookmark this article and check out five more cafes for book lovers.  If you’re keen to explore more of Tokyo’s very own booktown, be sure to read our Jimbocho guide. Happy exploring!