Shibuya, the epicenter of Japanese youth culture, is a popular tourist destination for foreigners. The Hachiko statue and the Scramble Crossing in front of Shibuya Station are famous photo spots. Shibuya has been undergoing construction in various places for many years and is currently in the midst of a once-in-a-century redevelopment. It continues to evolve even now.
Shibuya is also home to many art museums and live music venues, giving it a reputation as a hub for art and music. Recently, it has become known as a location for anime, with many people undertaking "pilgrimages" to visit these spots. Shibuya attracts people of all ages and genders, and has many restaurants. Among them, cafes at Shibuya that can be easily used for breaks or meals are particularly numerous. These cafes at Shibuya attract attention in various styles, from retro long-established cafes to unique ones with originality.
Cafes with a View of the Scramble Crossing
L'OCCITANE CAFE
source：Tabelog
The "L'OCCITANE CAFE" right next to Shibuya Station is a cafe operated by the cosmetics brand "L'OCCITANE". Located in the Shibuya Station Front Building, the 1st floor is a shop, while the 2nd and 3rd floors are the cafe. The interior, renovated in April 2024, has a natural atmosphere befitting L'OCCITANE's focus on plant-based materials. From the window seats, you can look down on the Scramble Crossing and feel the atmosphere of Shibuya.
There are many colorful and visually appealing menu items, such as vegetable-rich plates and fruit iced teas. My recommendation is the meal set where you can choose from 10 main dishes, including Provencal salad pasta and shrimp and tuna sandwiches. It comes with a mini dessert and drink, ensuring complete satisfaction.
<Store Information>
・Address: 2-3-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Shibuya Station Front Building 2F-3F
・Phone: 03-5428-1563
・Hours: 10:00am - 11:00pm
・Closed: Irregular
・Access: Immediately from Inogashira Exit of Shibuya Station
・Official Website: https://jp.loccitane.com/stores
Estacion Cafe
"Estacion Cafe", directly connected to Shibuya Station, is another recommended cafe at Shibuya with a view of the Scramble Crossing. The interior, which serves as a hotel lounge, offers a luxurious moment with its high ceilings and spacious atmosphere. Reservations are only possible for lunch menu orders.
The lunch set, which comes with soup and salad, features a variety of options such as Singapore Chicken Rice and Cuban Sandwich. The availability of vegan menus is also appreciated by foreign tourists. With a wide selection of alcoholic drinks and appetizers, it's also recommended to enjoy the night view of Shibuya with a relaxing drink.
<Store Information>
・Address: Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu 5F, 1-12-2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone: 03-5457-0133
・Hours: 10:00am - 10:00pm
・Closed: Irregular
・Access: Immediately from Inogashira Exit of Shibuya Station
・Official Website: https://www.tokyuhotels.co.jp/shibuya-e/restaurant/estacion/index.html
Long-established Cafes
Meikyoku Kissa Lion
Source: Tabelog
"Meikyoku Kissa Lion", born in 1926, is a long-established cafe at Shibuya that has been in business for about 100 years. You can fully enjoy carefully selected supreme classical music. The retro-styled interior feels like stepping back in time. The large speakers connecting the 1st and 2nd floors have a symbolic presence in the store.
Due to the owner's desire for customers to immerse themselves in the world of music, loud conversations and photography are prohibited inside. Please be careful not to let your mobile phone make any sound. Take a break from digital life and urban hustle to fully enjoy the supreme classical music and coffee!
<Store Information>
・Address: 2-19-13 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone: 03-3461-6858
・Hours: 1:00pm - 8:00pm
・Closed: 1/1 - 1/4
・Access: 4-minute walk from West Exit of Keio Inokashira Line Shibuya Station / 7-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station
・Official Website: https://lion.main.jp/
Kissa Satella
Source: Tabelog
"Kissa Satella" opened in 2020 after renovating a cafe that had been in business for nearly 50 years. While maintaining its retro atmosphere, you can enjoy carefully selected coffee and desserts. The popular menu item, pudding, has a rich and creamy taste with plenty of cream cheese and condensed milk. Seasonal limited puddings such as pumpkin and matcha are also recommended.
There are also plenty of drink options like homemade cola and lemonade, making it enjoyable even for those who don't like coffee. This hidden gem cafe at Shibuya is located on the 1st floor of a building 5-6 minutes walk from Shibuya Station. Look for the overhead sign with "Coffee" written in kanji as a landmark.
<Store Information>
・Address: Aoyama Seven Heights 1F, 1-7-5 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone: 080-8444-4243
・Hours: Mon/Tue/Wed/Sat/Sun 11:00am - 7:00pm / Thu 8:00am - 7:00pm / Fri 11:00am - 6:30pm, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
・Closed: Irregular
・Access: 6-minute walk from Exit B4 of Shibuya Station
・Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kissa_satella/
Cafes Serving Japanese Sweets
Kantan na Yume
Source: Tabelog
"Kantan na Yume" is a popular cafe at Shibuya where you can enjoy new-style Japanese sweets, located in the "Okushibu" area a little away from Shibuya Station. The cute pink exterior is a landmark.
The signature menu item is the traditional Japanese sweet "nerikiri". "Nerikiri" is a traditional Japanese sweet made by kneading white bean paste and mochi dough into various shapes. This shop creates a taste reminiscent of Western sweets by kneading cream cheese, lemon, raspberry, etc., into the bean paste. These Western-style nerikiri are recommended even for foreigners trying Japanese sweets for the first time.
The colorful Japanese sweets inspired by Japan's four seasons and events are so beautiful that it's almost a shame to eat them. In hot seasons, enjoy them with chilled matcha tea.
<Store Information>
・Address: 41-3 Kamiyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone: 050-5362-1781
・Hours: 12:00pm - 6:30pm
・Closed: Monday, Tuesday
・Access: 11-minute walk from Exit A2 of Shibuya Station / 6-minute walk from Yoyogi-koen Station
・Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kantan.na.yume/?hl=ja
Kyoto Uji Fujii-meien
Source: Tabelog
"Kyoto Uji Fujii-meien" is a cafe at Shibuya where you can enjoy menu items using tea leaves from a long-established tea garden in Kyoto. Not only can you enjoy Japanese tea in various ways, but tea-flavored desserts and meals are also popular. The interior, unified with Japanese taste, allows you to spend a relaxing time.
My recommendation is the set of small side dishes "obanzai" (traditional Kyoto home cooking) and seasonal mixed rice. The colorful and healthy array of small dishes offers a refined Japanese taste.
Matcha desserts such as terrine, pudding, and soft serve ice cream are also exquisite. The "Parfait with Brûlée" that you can choose from matcha or hojicha is visually beautiful and perfect for photos.
<Store Information>
・Address: Shibuya Fukuras 6F, 1-2-3 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone: 050-5456-3697
・Hours: 11:00am - 10:00pm
・Closed: New Year holidays
・Access: 1-minute walk from West Exit of JR Shibuya Station
・Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fujiimeien/
Cafes Open After 8:00pm
Shibrewya
Source: Tabelog
"Shibrewya" is a photogenic cafe at Shibuya located inside "Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya". The pop interior full of Shibuya-esque atmosphere and cute menu items are irresistible to photograph.
Almost everyone who visits orders the "Hachiko Waffle". It's a waffle shaped like Hachiko, Shibuya's icon, sandwiching seasonal cream or ganache. My favorite is the combination of the waffle with its addictive "mix of sweet and salty" and Shibuya's local beer. It's open until 9:30pm, so why not drop by after sightseeing!
<Store Information>
・Address: Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya 3F, 2-25-12 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Hours: 10:30am - 9:30pm
・Closed: New Year holidays
・Access: 1-minute walk from West Exit of JR Shibuya Station
・Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Shibrewya/
nurikabe cafe SSS
Source: Tabelog
"nurikabe cafe SSS" is a hidden cafe restaurant in the basement of a building near Shibuya Station. It's a stylish place where you can enjoy sweets, meals, and alcohol. You can also taste nostalgic cafe drinks like melon soda (a sweet drink with vanilla ice cream on top of melon juice) and pineapple squash.
The signature menu item "minichii", which sells 1000 pieces a month, is a mini-sized cheesecake. There are about 10 varieties lined up, including plain, Uji matcha, chocolate banana, and seasonal peach and lemon.
It's open until 11:00pm, so why not add it to your Shibuya nightlife course?
<Store Information>
・Address: Nagasakido Building B1F, 3-10-14 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone: 050-5600-9401
・Hours: 12:00pm - 11:00pm
・Closed: None
・Access: 3-minute walk from New South Exit of JR Shibuya Station
・Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurikabe_sss_shibuya/
Night Parfait Specialty Stores
Ice wa Betsubara
Source: Tabelog
"Ice wa Betsubara" is a popular cafe at Shibuya right next to Shibuya Station where you can eat various types of parfaits until late at night. By the way, "betsubara" is a Japanese idiom meaning "having a separate stomach", implying that "you can eat dessert even when you're full".
The shop has a lineup of photogenic parfaits. From classics like plain and strawberry to Japanese-style flavors like Uji matcha and black honey kinako, they're all popular. My recommendation is the adult parfaits using liqueurs like Kahlua Milk and Malibu Mango. Open until 11:00pm, it's perfect for the last stop of your Shibuya night.
<Store Information>
・Address: Shibuya TR Building B1F, 2-22-16 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone: 03-3409-1112
・Hours: 1:00pm - 11:00pm
・Closed: None
・Access: 1-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station
・Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icebetsubarashibuya/
Parfaiteria beL
Source: Tabelog
"Parfaiteria Bel" is a night parfait specialty store that only operates from evening to late night. The menu of about 6 parfaits using seasonal ingredients are all visually beautiful, like works of art adorned with jewels. Each parfait uses many different ingredients, allowing you to enjoy different textures and tastes with each bite.
The lineup also includes unique drink menus such as original cola blended with spices and fruits, deep-roasted kinako latte, and burdock tea. There's also a wide variety of alcohols including champagne, whiskey, and cocktails. Please try these gorgeous parfaits that add glamour to Shibuya nights!
<Store Information>
・Address: Shindaiso Social Building 3F, 1-7-10 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone: 03-6427-8538
・Hours: Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu 5:00pm - 12:00am / Fri 5:00pm - 1:00am / Sat 3:00pm - 1:00am / Sun 3:00pm - 12:00am
・Closed: December 31, January 1
・Access: 2-minute walk from Keio Inokashira Line Shibuya Station / 4-minute walk from South Exit of JR Shibuya Station
・Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parfaiteriabel_shibuya/
Unique Cafes
Mori no Toshoushitsu
Source: Tabelog
Book lovers will enjoy the book cafe "Mori no Toshoushitsu". The interior, which exudes the warmth of wood, has about 10,000 books lined up along the walls. There are also about 100 foreign language books, as well as many Japanese picture books and manga that foreigners can enjoy visually. The pricing is a time-based system with free drinks, where you can choose from 1 hour, 3 hours, or 1 day.
Another attraction is that you can actually taste the food and drinks that appear in the books. Choices that are irresistible to enthusiasts include "smoked herring" used as an idiom by Agatha Christie, and gin rickey that Gatsby gulped down.
<Store Information>
・Address: Shibuya Daiichi Kangin Building 8F, 23-3 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone: 03-6455-0629
・Hours: 9:00am - 10:45pm
・Access: 1-minute walk from Shibuya Station Subway Exit A3
・Official Website: https://morinotosyoshitsu.com/
Pepper PARLOR
source: Official website
"Pepper PARLOR" in Tokyu Plaza is a unique cafe at Shibuya where humanoid robots named Pepper provide customer service. At the entrance, Pepper robots line up to greet you and take your order. It's also delightful that Pepper sits at each table, performing songs and dances, and engaging in conversation with customers.
The cafe menu at this Shibuya spot boasts a rich lineup including afternoon tea, homemade hamburger steak, and pancakes. Desserts such as gelato supervised by top patissiers are also recommended. After 6:00pm, when the cafe transforms into a club-like atmosphere, you can enjoy dance events performed by the Pepper robots.
<Store Information>
・Address: Tokyu Plaza Shibuya 5F, 1-2-3 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Phone: 03-5422-3988
・Hours: 11:00am - 6:00pm
・Closed: According to Tokyu Plaza Shibuya's schedule
・Access: 1-minute walk from Shibuya Station
・Official Website: https://www.pepperparlor.com/daytime-menu/
Summary
Shibuya, a gathering place for various people, has many cafes of different genres. A notable feature is that many cafes offer not only coffee and sweets but also full-fledged meals and alcohol. Cafes open until late at night are also recommended for after your night out in Shibuya.
At unique cafes at Shibuya specializing in music, books, robots, etc., you can have experiences that can't be found anywhere else, creating unforgettable memories of your trip to Japan. Whether you drop by for a quick break or spend time leisurely, the way you enjoy it is up to you. Why not find your favorite spot that captures the essence of Shibuya?