Work-Friendly Cafes in Minato City (Roppongi, Azabu Juban, and Aoyama)

Finding work-friendly cafes in Roppongi, Azabujuban, and Aoyama isn’t as simple as it sounds. It takes trial and error, so much time scrolling through reviews and looking for photos of the seating arrangement, and the risk of a pretty crappy cup of coffee.

But don’t worry, I’ve done the work for you.

I am a digital nomad in Tokyo and a huge coffee enthusiast – that means I’ve tried A LOT of cafes over the years. I’ve put together lists of the best coffee shops in Tokyo and top Shinjuku cafes, and now want to share the Roppongi, Aoyama, and Azubujuban spots perfect for both remote and office workers looking to escape their desk whilst enjoying a delicious hot drink.

With over 144,000 residents, 17,000 of which are not Japanese, and known for its sky-scraper office buildings and international visitors, there’s a giant demand for coffee in Minato-ku. The good news? The standard of work-friendly cafes in Minato City is high, and there are so many to choose from.

Keep reading to discover:

Working from a Coffee Shop in Tokyo

The coffee culture in Tokyo is unlike any other city I’ve explored or lived in. Like with most things, Japanese people take huge pride in perfecting a craft and building an incredible knowledge base. I fully believe that the baristas in Tokyo are some of the best in the entire world.

Tokyo’s cafe scene is filled with speciality coffee, beautiful interiors, and unique menus all designed to create the ultimate coffee experience. Many of the coffee shops here are famous for their tiny size and limited seating, and although I love this kind of cafe for a Sunday morning brew, there are some specifications I looked for when choosing the top Minato City coffee shops for working.

How to Work From a Coffee Shop (and Actually be Productive)

Everything you need to know about how to work remotely from a coffee shop or cafe. Learn productivity hacks, how…

How to choose a cafe for working in Tokyo:

Plenty of seating: There’s nothing worse than arriving at a new cafe to find there’s no space for you and your computer.
No time limit: It’s very common for trendy cafes in Tokyo to give you a 90 – 120 minute time limit before you need to leave.
Delicious food and drinks: In a city containing some of the best coffee in the world, I’m ensuring that every cafe on this list is up to standard.
Great Atmosphere: For a productive work session, I want a cafe to be relaxed, welcoming, and inspiring.
Foreigner Friendly: These coffee shops are not intimidating at all to non-Japanese speakers and short-term guests in Japan, I promise.

Five Best Minato City Coffee Shops for Work

Curating this list of the best cafes in Roppongi to work from has taken 2+ years of exploring and experiencing the best coffee Minato City has to offer. Each of these Minato-ku work-friendly cafes meets my criteria and are places I genuinely love to go – even when I’m not working!

Streamer Coffee Company Azabujuban

Known For: Modern drinks with a traditional Japanese interior

Why I Love It: Streamer is a local favourite for the Minato workers, nestled between Roppongi Hills Mori Tower and Azabujuban station. From the outside, it appears to be a traditional kissaten (coffee house), but inside, Streamer Azabujuban is a lively and relaxed cafe. It is designed to look like the inside of a Japanese house with dark wood beams and white walls, but that is where the traditional ends. Streamer is a hub for expats to work and talk freely, with friendly and bilingual staff who make a delicious array of unique beverages.

Good For: Relaxed working with friends

Address: 6 Chome−11−16 中銀六本木マンシオン, Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo, 106-0032

Known For: Space, plants, and New York City Vibes

Why I Love It: Share Green is an open space haven for remote workers in Tokyo with on-site coffee roasting, a green park space, and even a florist! It feels more like something you would stumble across in Brooklyn than Tokyo, matching trendy with functional in an all-around great spot for an afternoon of work. You can spend entire days at Share Green with a substantial food menu and so many different seating areas to try out across this large space.

Good For: Working in an open space and plenty of variety

Address: 1 Chome-12-32 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062

Passage Coffee

Known For: Specialty coffee in a minimalist space

Why I Love It: Passage is a coffee enthusiast’s dream. The drinks are expertly crafted in a bright cafe space that is just lovely to sit in. The coffee shop is a little on the smaller side but is creative with seating and makes you feel welcome, laptop and all. It’s hidden slightly further into Azabujuban but is well worth the walk for a visit, plus you’ll get a great view of Tokyo Tower on the way.

Good For: Some of the most delicious coffee found in Minato-Ku

Address: 5 Chome−14−16 大正堂ビル１Ｆ, Shiba, Minato City, Tokyo, 108-0014

Image of Verve coffee shop, a cafe in Roppongi

Verve Roppongi

Known For: Excellent coffee enjoyed in a bright, natural light-filled space

Why I Love It: Verve is probably my most visited coffee shop in Tokyo for working. It has plenty of seats, Wi-Fi, plugs, and lets you stay as long as you like. The coffee is also absolutely delicious. Verve Roppongi has perfected the cafe built for working and visiting is always nothing but a pleasure. I particularly love their expresso tonic (trust me, it’s good) and with a discount on your second drink served by some of the loveliest staff around, it’s hard to beat a remote work session at Verve.

Good For: Productive work sessions and fun drink options

Address: 5 Chome-16-7 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0032

Common

Known For: Cool and cosy design that transforms by night

Why I Love It: Common transports you into a serene and beautiful coffee shop by day, and a vibey and atmospheric bar into the evening. It is a large space for the area with room for everyone and serves delicious coffee and a great food menu. The ambience is quiet but warm making it great for productive work sessions, taking meetings, and simply hanging out with friends. This is such a great spot for remote work just minutes away from Roppongi station.

Good For: An amazing ambience to inspire your work

Address: 4 Chome−8−5 和幸ビル 1F, Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo, 106-0032

Where is Minato City?

Minato City is an area of Tokyo best known for offices, luxury shopping, and nightlife. I’ve always thought of it as a ‘mini America’ where Lululemon, Shake Shack, and Cinnabon can be found within steps of one another.

Just south of central Tokyo, Minato-Ku stretches all the way from Meiji Jingu Gaien to Tennozu Isles and is most famous as the home to Tokyo Tower and the recently opened Toranomon Hills Mori Tower. During the day, Roppongi in particular is filled with busy employees and office workers whilst at night it is known for its bars and clubs.

Minato City Guide

If you’ve found yourself in Minato-Ku and looking for things to do outside of work, you’re in luck. The area is filled with places to eat and cool things to do. Here are a few of my favourites:

Co-working Offices

BLINK Smart Cowork Space
六本木蔦屋書店 SHARE LOUNGE
Fabbit Aoyama

Quick Lunch

Nikugen
Falafel Bros
Frijoles Roppongi
Crisp Salad Works

Restaurants

Sobamae Yamato
Rigoletto
Soul Food House
Barbacoa

Dessert

Mom & Pops Gelato
Cinnabon
Hudson Market Bakers

Date Spots

Toho Cinemas Roppongi Hills
Mori Art Museum
The National Art Center, Tokyo

Bars

Homebase Tokyo
Tokyo Confidential
The Public Six

Freelance Writing in Minato City

Minato-ku is so much more than office buildings and bars. It can make a great day out for any remote worker in Tokyo, particularly for those looking for work-friendly coffee shops in Roppongi, Azabujuban, and Aoyama.

I love any days spent in this area of the city and find they’re typically some of the most productive and enjoyable I have as a remote worker who could work from anywhere. If you want to learn how to get started as a freelance writer, try checking out my guide to getting started as a freelance writer or leave your questions in the comments below.