There are countless little cafes in Japan but here is what we visited because they are kind of on the way or near the other major attraction. Killing two birds with one stone, it wouldn’t take much of your time to look for and visit these cafes. Best of all, they are some of the greats.

1. Aoyama Flower Market

 

Aoyama Flower Market is located in Ometesando, very near Harajuku and just outside Ometesando Train station. There is plenty of Aoyama Flower Market in Japan but this one is famous for its flower themed café. On the exterior it is a flower shop with wonderful smell of fresh flowers. Tucked inside the flower shop is a small but gorgeous tea house.

The Tea house serves some western dishes and dessert and tea that are seasonal. We happen to be there during autumn so they have autumn menu. As you’d guessed it is probably best to visit during spring. But autumn has its own appeal like the herb tea we had – it was sensational. I really would love it make this tea myself. I will post it if I succeed!

We had French toast here that is super fluffy and easily the best we had. The ambience is just delightful and everything we ordered is perfect. I highly recommend this tea house.

Address: Japan, 〒107-0062 Tokyo, Minato, Minamiaoyama, 5 Chome−1−2, 青山エリービル1F

2. Pablo

Pablo is cheesecake shop that is all over Japan. They are famous for their soft custardy cheesecake that can even baked to your liking – rare (gooey filling) or medium (firmer filling). It is a big piece of cheesecake for the original passion fruit glazed but there are also mini cheesecake for individual serving with lemon glazed.

I tried a branch we come across with in Harajuku. It is always so full of people. Here is a list of their retail counter in Tokyo:

Omotesando: Jingumae 1-14-21, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0001, Japan
Shinjuku: Metro Shokudogai B2F, 1-1-2, NIshi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
Akihabara: AKIBA TOLIM 1F,1-6-5,Kandasakuma-cho,Chiyoda-Ku,
Tokyo,101-0025,Japan
Lalaport Tachikawa: Izumicho 935-1, Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo, 190-0015, Japan
PABLO mini Akihabara: 1-15-8,Sotokanda,Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo,101-0021,Japan

Chances are, you’d come across them by accident like we did. Visit their official site http://www.pablo3.com/english.html for the complete list of location of where you can find them.

3. Quil Fait Bon

I’m a huge fan of fruit tart so I tell myself I absolutely need to try this. My friend told me they have really good pound cake as well. I didn’t get to try it in Tokyo but I was over the moon while I discover them in Osaka – at the JR Osaka station, Grand Front Building. It is only about 5 minutes away from the Osaka Umeda Sky Building that you will visit anyway when you are in Osaka. Here is the list of location of where you can find them in Tokyo.

Ginza: Yubinbango104-0061 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 2-5-4, Facade Ginza 1F (Take space) / underground 1F (cafe space)

Aoyama: 107-0062, Tokyo Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, 3-18-5

Tokyo Sky Tree Town: Yubinbango131-0045 , Sumida-ku, Tokyo push-up 1-chome No. 1 No. 2 Tokyo Sky Tree Town Soramachi 2F

It was a massive queue to dine in. I would’ve if we had time but we were chasing the sunset at umeda so we take away these beauties and had them while watching the beautiful skyline of Osaka at Umeda Sky Building.

4. Kisshokaryo

I thought that all swiss roll in Japan is divine, they sure all look perfect but I’m wrong. The best swiss roll we had while in Japan is the green tea one from Kisshokaryo. Other than that we get the pleasure of trying their specialty, warabi mochi (Bracken-starch dumpling) served with powdered roasted soybean and brown sugar. I never had anything like this before. It was extremely soft, with a cool sensation, a hint of coffee and dissolve in your mouth. It is extremely delicious.

The green tea tasting platter we had is also up there among the best bites we had in Japan. Totally adore the place and amazing dessert. You can find this in Kyoto at Gion District. There are some other green tea focused dessert place in Gion, another well known one is the Nana’s Green tea. Gion is a must visit when in Kyoto so while you are there consider this or the other green tea café to try. You won’t be disappointed.

Address: 306 Ishibashicho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0066, Japan

Nana’s green tea Address: 1 Nishikujo Toriiguchicho Minami-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

5. Le Bac a Sable

Still in Kyoto, and we visited this because it is very close to our accommodation (5 minutes walk), perfect for breakfast. I should tell you that it is also very close to Heian Jingu and Chion In Temple. The area itself is quite well known for an enjoyable stroll. So what is Le Bac a Sable? It’s a French Bakery offering delicious fresh baguette, bread, danishes and pastries. As a Danish fanatic, I was so spoiled for choices. Their fruit Danish were delicious. The omelette looks so perfect. I’d come here anytime of the day.

Address: 51 Saikaishicho, Higashiyama-ku | 1F Maison de Alice, Kyoto 605-0012, Kyoto Prefecture

6. %Arabica

%Arabica is a café near Kiyomizu Dera Temple that only serves coffee and coffee only. No cakes, no light bites, nothing else but coffee is obviously what they do best. There’s a single long table and corner seat inside for people to enjoy their coffee. The turnover rate is very rapid in this place.

We tried the usual latte one with a single origin and the other is the house blend. I highly recommend the single origin – it was nutty and very mild coffee. I read somewhere that the barista is a world latte art champion but no fancy latte art for us unfortunately. This place is definitely worth a detour from Kiyomizu Dera.

Address: 〒605-0853 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, 東山区星野町87-5

Is there any other cafes that should be on this list? Feel free to share on the comment section below. 🙂