Discovering Kiyosumi Shirakawa: Tokyo's Café District
- Published on : 19/10/2026
- by : Phoebe
- Youtube
Blue Bottle Coffee
@store.bluebottlecoffee.jp
In Tokyo, Kiyosumi-Shirakawa has made a name for itself among coffee lovers. Here, old warehouses now house coffee roasters, independent coffee shops, and spots where you can take your time savoring a hot drink. To help you explore the area with a cup in hand, the Japan Experience team presents its top picks!
RAW COFFEE: A Break Along Kiba Park
Located along the street that runs alongside Kiba Park, RAW COFFEE specializes in lightly roasted coffees that preserve the beans’ natural acidity. Its counter features an espresso machine built into the countertop, leaving the space between the barista and customers open to enhance the experience. We also love its minimalist decor, featuring a polished concrete floor.
Our recommendations? To go with your coffee, try a Bordeaux cannele, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, or a slice of baked cheesecake.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 135-0023 Tokyo, Koto City, Hirano, 3-2-10 Himawari Building 1F
HOURS: Daily, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
RAW COFFEE
@rawcoffeejp on Instagram
Arise Coffee Roasters: A Quirky Spot
He’s the neighborhood’s eccentric pioneer, recognizable by his corner shop, crammed with skateboard decks and travel souvenirs.The owner, Taiju Hayashi, roasts his own beans on-site in a roaster visible from the street. While most cafés offer only beans from Latin America or East Africa, Arise is one of the few places in Tokyo to feature beans from lesser-known origins such as Thailand or the Dominican Republic. It’s a great stop for exploring the capital’s independent coffee scene.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 1-13-8 Hirano, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0023, Japan
HOURS: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Arise Coffee Roasters
@arise coffee roasters on Instagram
Blue Bottle Coffee: The Neighborhood's Star
It’s partly thanks to Blue Bottle Coffee that the Kiyosumi-Shirakawa neighborhood has become a must-visit destination for coffee lovers.
Opened in 2015 in a former electrical warehouse renovated by architect Jo Nagasaka, the café stands out for its industrial architecture, featuring raw concrete, steel, and large floor-to-ceiling windows. At the back of the room, an imposing roaster, visible behind a glass partition, serves as a reminder that coffee is at the heart of the experience here. At the central counter, baristas prepare pour-over coffee as well as espressos using the house-blend Bella Donovan.
To accompany your drink, we recommend their Liège-style waffle, made to order, the editorial team’s favorite treat!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 1-4-8 Hirano, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0023, Japan
HOURS: Daily, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Blue Bottle Coffee
@store.bluebottlecoffee.jp
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Byron Bay Coffee Company: The Flagship of Australian Coffee
Located in a small corner building clad in dark wood, this space serves asthe Japanese showcase for the Australian-born brand.
Its unique offering lies in its signature blend sourced from Australia and South America, roasted to deliver distinct notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and hazelnut. When it comes to equipment, the bar is geared toward milk-based drinks: the baristas prepare flat whites in the true Oceanic tradition, with thick milk foam and a double shot of espresso. It’s also one of the few spots in the area to serve meat pies onthe go!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 3-3-20 Kiyosumi, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0024, Japan
HOURS: Daily, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Byron Bay Coffee
@Byron Bay Coffee Company Japan on Instagram
Park Stand Tokyo: A Nice Place to Stop Between Sightseeing Trips
Just a stone's throw from the Kiyosumi Garden, Park Stand Tokyo operates as a lively espresso bar. Its signature feature is its large, raw-wood counter.
In addition to classic espressos, the spot specializes in house-made flavored lattes (including black sesame and matcha) and serves croffles (croissants pressed in a waffle iron) made to order. Breakfast and brunch options are also available, including avocado toast and other light dishes, if you’d like to grab a quick bite. It’s the perfect stop before heading to the nearest garden!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 3-4-20 Kiyosumi, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0024, Japan
HOURS: Daily, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Park Stand Tokyo
@parkstandtokyo_kiyosumi on Instagram
Matcha&: The Place to Remember for a Change from Espresso
Tucked away in a quiet alley in the neighborhood, this café stands out for its hybrid approach that blends traditional green tea culturewith the world of coffee. The minimalist space showcases the bar, where every matcha drinkis hand-whisked using powder sourced from Uji.
Its unique selling point lies in its signature creations, which combine a shot of espresso with matcha and oat milk. We also recommend their artisanal tea-infused pastries, such as their white chocolate and matcha terrines and their houjicha cookies.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: Japan, 〒135-0006 Tokyo, Koto City, Tokiwa, 1-15-11, 11th floor, inside MITSUME
HOURS: Thursday and Friday, 12:30 PM–5:00 PM; weekends, 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Matcha&
@matchaand.com
Want to learn the subtle art of the tea ceremony? Check out our activity in Tokyo!
iki Roastery & Eatery: From Coffee to Brunch
Housed in a former Showa-era (1926–1989) lumber warehouse on the banks of the Sumida Canal, this venue impresses with its architectural scale.
A giant coffee roaster takes center stage in the room, visible from the tables. What sets iki is that it combines industrial coffee roasting with authentic New Zealand bistro cuisine: people come here to see the stacked bags of beans while enjoying brunch.
On the menu? Poached eggs on homemade sourdough bread, toast with ricotta and figs, and all kinds of pastries. A top choice if you’re looking for a proper meal right in the heart of the neighborhood.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 1 Chome-4-7 Tokiwa, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0006, Japan
HOURS: Daily, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
iki Roastery & Eatery
@iki-expresso.com
What to see between cups of coffee?
Beyond its cafés, Kiyosumi-Shirakawa also invites you to explore its gardens and art galleries. Start with Kiyosumi Garden, a Japanese garden laid out around a pond, where stones arranged above the water create a path perfect for a stroll. Not far from there, the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT) features exhibitions of both Japanese and international contemporary art.
Architecture enthusiasts will also appreciate the old industrial buildings that have been converted into studios and independent shops.
To wrap up your stroll, head to the banks of the Oyokogawa River, then stop for a break at one of the neighborhood’s many cafés.
Kiyosumi Garden
@wikimedia
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