{"id":2229,"date":"2017-11-05T18:18:03","date_gmt":"2017-11-05T10:18:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mobilebookcafe.com\/blog\/?p=2229"},"modified":"2017-11-05T18:18:03","modified_gmt":"2017-11-05T10:18:03","slug":"tokyos-top-five-cafes-for-book-lovers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mobilebookcafe.com\/blog\/?p=2229","title":{"rendered":"TOKYO’S TOP FIVE CAFES FOR BOOK LOVERS"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tokyo\u2019s Top Five Cafes for Book Lovers<\/h4>\n
BY<\/span>\u00a0ALEXANDRA HOMMA<\/a>\u00a0|<\/span>\u00a0DECEMBER 28, 2015 |<\/span>\u00a0FOOD & DRINK<\/a><\/small><\/div>\n
\n

Sometimes nothing can replace the luxury of spending an afternoon in the company of a good book and a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Luckily, Tokyo is home to some of the best book cafes in the world, many of which provide free access to a great collection of tomes\u2014even some in English. If you\u2019re in search of a new spot for some quality time with yourself, a hot mug of tea or java and a good read, the following five cafes are definitely worth a visit.<\/p>\n

\"DSC_1564\"<\/p>\n

1. Brooklyn Parlor, Shinjuku<\/h4>\n

Run by the same company as Blue Note Tokyo,\u00a0Brooklyn Parlor<\/a>\u00a0is a\u00a0spacious restaurant-cafe that invites you to \u201ctake a walk on the wild side\u201d by recreating a cozy New York-style bohemian hangout that will appeal to your art senses. There are three walls of books and magazines, which customers are welcome to\u00a0flick through as they sip their coffee, and even purchase if they choose to. Located just a few minutes\u2019 walk from Shinjuku Sanchome station, this brick-walled cafe is a must-visit venue if you\u2019re into good music, delicious coffee, books, food and, of course, Brooklyn Lager. The food is good\u00a0and reasonably priced if you\u2019re visiting at lunch time, but if you\u2019re after some \u201cme\u201d time with a book, aim for after 3 p.m. when it gets less crowded.<\/p>\n

Address:<\/strong>\u00a0B1F Shinjuku Marui Annex, 3-1-26 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku<\/p>\n

Tel:<\/strong>\u00a003-6457-7763<\/p>\n

Open:<\/strong>\u00a0Daily, 11:30 a.m.\u201311:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

\"paperback<\/h4>\n

2. Paperback Cafe, Jimbocho<\/h4>\n

Jimbocho, Tokyo\u2019s used books hub, also hosts the\u00a0three-story\u00a0Paperback\u00a0Caf\u00e9<\/a>,\u00a0housed in a nearly century-old Tokyodo bookstore. Located a three-minute walk from Jimbocho station, Paperback Cafe is the perfect venue for anyone who wants to get some work done away from the office or home, and not spend much on pricey coffee. Prices start at \u00a5200 for a regular coffee and rise to \u00a5420 for the caramel macchiato. Sandwich sets and quick curry plates are also available for up to \u00a5780 with a drink. The coffee is served in paper cups, so you won\u2019t find anything luxurious here, but the vast collection of books will surely give you food for thought.<\/p>\n

Address:<\/strong>\u00a01-17 Jimbocho, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku<\/p>\n

Tel:<\/strong>\u00a003-3291-5181<\/p>\n

Open:<\/strong>\u00a0Daily, 10 a.m.\u20139 p.m. (last order 7:45 p.m.)<\/p>\n

\"anjun<\/h4>\n

3. Anjin, Daikanyama<\/h4>\n

Anjin<\/a>\u00a0is a posh cafe located on the second floor of Daikanyama T-Site, one of Tokyo\u2019s most modern and collection-rich bookstores. As you climb the stairs to the cafe, you\u00a0are greeted by handsome waiters dressed in attire fit for five-star restaurants, who will guide you to a leather couch or chic table and give you an iPad menu to choose your food and drinks. With its relaxed atmosphere, dark lighting and quiet bossa nova sounds, this comfy escape is a great location at which to spend a luxurious morning or afternoon. Though a bit pricey, this is by far one of the most inspirational cafes I have visited in Tokyo, not only for the vast collection of rare books and magazines of all kinds, but also for the simple pleasure of allowing yourself to enjoy what is\u00a0perhaps the best cup of cappuccino in town.<\/p>\n

Address:<\/strong>\u00a02F Tsutaya Bldg. II, 17-5 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku<\/p>\n

Tel:<\/strong>\u00a003-3770-1900<\/p>\n

Open:<\/strong>\u00a0Daily, 9 a.m.\u20132 a.m.<\/p>\n

\"blue<\/h4>\n

4. Blue Books Cafe, Jiyugaoka<\/h4>\n

Largely similar in concept to Brooklyn Parlor (it is also produced by the Blue Note Tokyo brand), the\u00a0basement-level caf\u00e9-restaurant-bar\u00a0Blue Books Cafe<\/a>\u00a0in Jiyugaoka is a smaller, more compact, yet equally comfortable space ensconced in upbeat jazz tunes and good vibes. Its book may not be that large, but it still offers a decent selection of photo journals, fashion books and light essay pieces fit for a slow afternoon read. Famous for its unique collaboration of East and West (cheesecake with sudachi citrus sherbet, anyone?), this newly opened cafe is an inspiring rest stop after browsing the fashionable streets of Jiyugaoka.<\/p>\n

Address:<\/strong>\u00a0B1F Yureka Bldg., 2-9-15 Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku<\/p>\n

Tel:<\/strong>\u00a003-6825-8686<\/p>\n

Open:<\/strong>\u00a0Daily, 11:30 a.m.\u201311 p.m.<\/p>\n

\"rainy<\/h4>\n

5. \u00a0Rainy Day Cafe, Nishi Azabu<\/h4>\n

Inspired by the famous\u00a0Japanese saying, \u201cWork when it\u2019s sunny outside, read when it starts raining,\u201d\u00a0Rainy Day Bookstore & Cafe<\/a>\u00a0is everything you\u2019re looking for in a quiet coffee shop\u2014once you find it. Though a bit difficult to locate (it\u2019s about a 15-minute walk from any of the closest stations\u2014Omotesando, Hiroo or Roppongi), Rainy Day Bookstore & Cafe is definitely worth a visit and at least a few hours\u2019 stay. Home to a vast collection of rare books\u2014with a whole wall of English texts and children books\u2014this store is perfect for an afternoon devoted to nothing but yourself. Its basement location cuts all mobile reception so you can disappear from the modern world and focus on your books and neatly brewed coffee, milled and hand-poured upon order, distraction free.<\/p>\n

Address:<\/strong>\u00a0B1F, 2-21-28 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku<\/p>\n

Tel:<\/strong>\u00a003-5485-2134<\/p>\n

Open:<\/strong>\u00a0Wed\u2013Sun, 11 a.m.\u20137 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tokyo\u2019s Top Five Cafes for Book Lovers BY\u00a0ALEXANDRA HOMMA\u00a0|\u00a0DECEMBER 28, 2015 |\u00a0FOOD & DRINK Sometimes nothing can replace the luxury of spending an afternoon in the company of a good book and a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Luckily, Tokyo is home to some of the best book cafes inRead More …<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mobilebookcafe.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2229"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mobilebookcafe.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mobilebookcafe.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mobilebookcafe.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mobilebookcafe.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2229"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mobilebookcafe.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2229\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2230,"href":"https:\/\/mobilebookcafe.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2229\/revisions\/2230"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mobilebookcafe.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2229"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mobilebookcafe.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2229"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mobilebookcafe.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2229"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}