Showa Retro Kissaten: Tokyo's Old-School Coffee Shops in Jimbocho and Ueno
Published: 2026-10-15
Stained glass and chandeliers, spaghetti Napolitan and cream soda. Tokyo's "kissaten", old coffee shops from the Showa era, feel like time stopped. Here are classics that are easy to visit.
What's a kissaten?
A traditional coffee shop that serves coffee and light meals but no alcohol. Unlike chain cafés, each one has its own distinctive interior and menu.
| Classic menu | What it is |
|---|---|
| Napolitan | Japanese-born spaghetti stir-fried with ketchup |
| Cream soda | Bright melon soda topped with ice cream |
| Purin | Old-style firm custard pudding |
| Morning set | A breakfast deal with toast and eggs, served in the morning |
Jimbocho: cafés in the book town
JimbochoTokyo's "book town", packed with secondhand bookshops. Reading your finds in a kissaten is the local way.
SaboruFounded in 1955, with a mountain-lodge interior. Napolitan and cream soda are favorites.
LadrioA brick coffee shop founded in 1949, known as an early pioneer of Vienna coffee in Japan.Ueno: lavish Showa interiors
UenoKissaten with a Showa-era feel are scattered around the station.
KojoA basement kissaten with a lavish, castle-like interior.
GalantFounded in 1977, a glittering space with chandeliers, open from the morning.Tips
ℹ️
Some old kissaten are cash-only, and some allow smoking inside. Check before you go in if that matters to you.
🙅
When taking photos inside, keep other customers out of the frame. Some shops don't allow photos.
- Popular spots can have lines at lunchtime on weekends. Mornings are your best bet.
- Hours and closing days change, so check before you go.
Places in this story
Read next
Is Japanese Curry Different from Indian Curry? What Makes It Unique, Its Surprising History and Where to Eat It in TokyoJapanese curry is nothing like Indian or Thai curry — in fact, it came to Japan from Britain, not India. From the thick, glossy sauce and rice on the same plate to katsu curry and curry udon, here's what makes Japanese curry special and where to try it in Tokyo.2026-10-15
Tokyo Street Food Guide: Tsukiji, Ameyoko, Asakusa, Yanaka and MoreGrazing your way through little stalls and shops, a bite here and a bite there, is one of the joys of Tokyo. Here are the best food streets, plus the etiquette to know.2026-10-06
How to Ride the Shinkansen: Buying Tickets, Reserved Seats, Big Luggage Rules and the Mt. Fuji SeatTokyo to Kyoto, Osaka, Sendai or Kanazawa: everything you need for your first bullet train, from buying tickets and picking seats to the oversized luggage rules and onboard etiquette.2026-10-15