Five Ideal Communal Work Spaces and Coworking Offices in Tokyo

Communal work spaces in Tokyo have never been needed more. The Japan Digital Nomad Visa launched this year and Tokyo is quickly being transformed into Asia’s new remote worker hub. With its incredible food, amazing culture, and a neverending list of things to do, I’m not surprised that so many people want to spend more than just a week in this amazing city.

I’ve been working remotely in Tokyo for the past two years, learning the highs and lows of what it’s like to be A Digital Nomad in Tokyo. One of the benefits? The communal work spaces found all across the city.

Keep reading to learn:

What is a Communal Work Space?

A communal workspace is a shared office environment where individuals from various professions can come together to work independently or collaboratively. These spaces are designed to foster productivity, creativity, and networking, offering amenities like desks, high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and often, refreshments.

Unlike traditional offices, a coworking space is specifically designed for the needs of remote workers and small businesses. They offer a professional environment with the luxury of flexibility that allows you to choose between ad-hoc drop-ins and monthly subscriptions.

Coworking spaces can be ideal for those who work fully remotely and miss the convenience and productivity of an office environment, or digital nomads who are staying in a new place for a limited amount of time and need a desk, WiFi, and monitors to get their work done.

Japanese Coworking Spaces

Coworking spaces in Tokyo stand out due to Japan’s exceptional customer service and the unique touches of novelty found throughout the city. In this city, there’s no such thing as just a coworking space, instead, you’ll discover hidden libraries, breathtaking views, and opportunities for international networking that elevate Tokyo’s coworking spaces to a whole new level.

There’s truly no shortage of coworking spaces all across Tokyo. Although these can be a great way to meet other Digital Nomads, be prepared for the cowork offices to be much more quiet than elsewhere – Japan takes working extremely seriously!

If you’re looking for a more casual option, Tokyo also boasts an abundance of world-class coffee shops and cafes, offering remote workers diverse and inspiring environments to stay productive.

EXPLORE: Five Best Tokyo Coffee Shops for Remote Work

Top Coworking Spaces in Tokyo

BLINK Smart Cowork Space

Located in Roppongi, BLINK draws top-tier professionals from the tech industry and boasts an international clientele. BLINK is renowned across Tokyo for its sleek interiors and chic modern café, making the space perfect for networking. They also frequently host exclusive, members-only events sponsored by BLINK to promote collaboration between BLINK members.

Amenities: Printers, showers, mail handling, and access to BLINK events.

Why it’s unique: BLINK brings a California-esque vibe to coworking, fostering connection and comfort. It’s pet-friendly, features a bilingual help desk, and even includes a dedicated room for brainstorming sessions.

Fees: Half Day: 1,650 yen. Day Pass: 2,750 yen. Monthly Membership: 132,000 yen.

Address: BLINK Roppongi, 3-1-6 Motoazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-0046

Mori no Tosyo Shitsu ((森の図書室)

Tucked away behind a large wooden door on the 8th floor of an unassuming building, Mori No Tosyo Shitsu, or the Forest Library, offers an unparalleled coworking experience. Inside, you’ll find a hidden library perfect for an afternoon of quiet work, writing, or reading. It’s a refreshing departure from the more corporate coworking spaces found throughout the city and even offers unlimited soft drinks, tea, and coffee.

Amenities: Books and soft drinks with the option to upgrade to food and alcoholic drinks.

Why it’s unique: Mori no Tosyo is more akin to a fairy story than an office space with a tranquillity perfectly suited for an afternoon of easy work.

Fees: 1 hour: 1,000 yen. 3 Hours: 2,000 yen. Day Pass: 3,000 yen.

Address: 23−3 渋谷第一勧銀共同ビル, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0042

Photo of SHARE LOUNGE Shibuya Scramble Communal Workspace

SHARE LOUNGE offers locations all over Japan and is famous for its unique blend of lounge comfort and office functionality. My favourite location is iconically positioned on the 11th floor of the Shibuya Scramble building, offering an unrivalled communal workspace in Tokyo. The stylish interiors, high-quality equipment, and variety of food and drink options ensure that your day is both productive and pleasurable. Whether you’re seeking efficiency or a touch of luxury in your workday, SHARE LOUNGE delivers on all fronts.

Amenities: Snacks, monitors, plugs, and adapters. You can choose from a free soft drink plan, or upgrade to the unlimited alcohol option.

Why it’s unique: Working whilst looking down over spectacular views of Shibuya is an experience you cannot get anywhere else.

Fees: 1 hour: 1,650 yen. Day Pass: 4,510 yen. Monthly Membership: 33,000 yen.

Address: Shibuya Scramble Square 11th Floor, 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-6111

Coffee and Works by WISE LABO

Located in the trendy streets of Daikanyama, WISE LABO is a members-only haven designed to bridge the gap between a shared office and a cosy cafe. This multifunctional space offers a café, rental areas, work zones, and even a shared kitchen, catering to the diverse needs of remote workers and small brands alike. Renowned for its undeniably delicious coffee, WISE LABO creates a welcoming sense of calm for anyone who walks through its doors.

Amenities: Desks, comfortable chairs, access to the cafe, the option to rent rooms with large monitors, tables, and whiteboards.

Why it’s unique: WISE LABO provides a variety of rental spaces tailored to meet the needs of digital nomads, ranging from a shared kitchen and gallery to dedicated areas for recording and producing content.

Fees: Membership Registration Fee: 3,800 yen. 2 Hours: 2,800 yen. 3 hours: 3,350 yen. 5 Hours: 5,000 yen.

Address: 16-5 Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0034

CASE Shinjuku

CASE, located in the vibrant heart of Shinjuku, is a flexible coworking space that emphasises functionality and adaptability. With English-speaking staff and a clean, comfortable aesthetic, CASE Shinjuku offers convenient daily drop-in services without requiring advance bookings for a no-fuss and convenient communal office experience.

Amenities: Monitors, water cooler, and private rooms

Why it’s unique: CASE Shinjuku is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with drop-ins welcomed for last-minute work sessions.

Fees: 1 hour: 500 yen. Monthly fee: From 27,500 yen.

Address: Sankei Bldg 4F, 1-28-10 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 169-0075

Productivity Tips for Communal Work Space Sessions

Working amongst other people in a coworking office can be tricky. There are often distractions, rules, and even cultural expectations to remember, especially when in a new city! To help maximise your productivity, no matter where you are, try using these five tips:

Organize Your Tasks: Prepare a clear, prioritized to-do list before you start your day at the coworking space. Tools like Trello can help streamline your task management and keep you on track.
Take Breaks and Network: Utilize the communal areas like cafés or break rooms to meet fellow remote workers. Networking can lead to valuable connections and insights into Tokyo’s vibrant digital nomad scene.
Find a Remote Work Buddy: Join digital nomad communities on platforms like Facebook or Slack to connect with others working in the same space. Having a coworker nearby can boost accountability and focus.
Prioritize Reliable Tech: Ensure your laptop, noise-cancelling headphones, and other tech tools are dependable and portable, enhancing your productivity wherever you work.
Explore Tokyo: Take advantage of your surroundings! Tokyo offers bustling neighbourhoods with fantastic dining, shopping, and cultural experiences. Use your breaks to discover what makes Japan’s capital city unique.

If you’re still struggling to work effectively from a communal workspace in Tokyo, try reading The Epic Guide on How to Work from Anywhere for more remote work tips.

Five Ideal Communal Work Spaces and Coworking Offices in Tokyo