The 5 Best Cafes in Kagoshima for Remote Workers in Japan

Kagoshima is one of the most underrated destinations in Japan. It has everything you could want from a trip – beautiful views, unique attractions, amazing food – without the stress of a busy city or tourist-filled ‘must-visit’ spot.

If you want to get off the typical tourist track and work remotely from a more peaceful side of Japan, then it really doesn’t get much better than Kagoshima. Although the city is much smaller than Tokyo or Osaka, it still offers some pretty special work-friendly cafes that deliver on a productive atmosphere without compromising on coffee quality, service, or experience.

Keep reading to discover:

Where is Kagoshima?

Kagoshima prefecture is found on the Southern tip of Kyushu in Japan, an area known for being the home to amazing green forest landscapes, the nicest people in Japan, and probably most famously, Sakurajima. – Japan’s most active volcano.

Kagoshima City is (unsurprisingly) located within Kagoshima prefecture on the coast of (you guessed it) Kagoshima Bay. It’s a 15-minute ferry ride to Sakurajima and offers some truly spectacular views of both the volcano and the bay. This blog post is all about where to find the best work-friendly spots in Kagoshima City for delicious coffee and unmatched seaside cafe vibes.

Sunset from the Kagoshima to Sakurajima ferry

Why Visit Kagoshima?

We all know the typical tourist route in Japan: Tokyo → Osaka → Kyoto with a rare stop at Mount Fuji or Five Lakes. Of course, all these places are amazing, however, there is so much more to Japan than just the big cities!

Kyushu offers a completely different side to Nihon. The people are some of the friendliest you’ll ever come across, the energy is calm and rural, and life moves slowly enough that you’re actually able to live in the moment.

If that doesn’t convince you, then maybe a trip to Sakurajima will. Yes, Mount Fuji is pretty spectacular, but that doesn’t mean that Sakurajima should be overlooked! When I say it’s the most active volcano in Japan…I mean it! In 2023, Sakurajima erupted 215 times, and that was a low year because in 2015 it had over 1,200 eruptions!

The Best Work-Friendly Cafes in Kagoshima

CAFÉSHOP

Known For: Nordic design and delicious pastries

Why I Love It: From the sleek interior design to the carefully curated menu and unique seating arrangements, there’s no denying that Caféshop is cool. And it isn’t all style either – there’s serious substance to every element of this coffee shop. The drinks are high quality (I recommend the matcha latte) and they even have soy and oat milk for those missing a taste of the West. The food menu has an option for everyone without being convoluted but the real star of the show is the pastries. You have to order a baked good with your coffee, trust me. The vibes are also pretty immaculate for work. It feels spacious inside with plug sockets and wifi so you can get comfy and spend hours working from this spot.

Good For: Morning work sessions

Address: 2-2 Nakamachi, Kagoshima, 892-0827, Japan

Sweet William Cafe

Known For: The cutest interiors and friendliest staff

Why I Love It: I usually try not to play favourites with these lists but when it comes to the best coffee shops in Kagoshima…Sweet William Cafe really has my heart. The space is beautifully curated for the perfect balance of kawaii yet chic, the drinks menu is fun and whimsical, and pastries are indulgent and delicious. The cafe isn’t huge but is big enough to pull out your laptop without feeling too self-conscious – I’ll be honest, you probably couldn’t spend an entire day working here, however, it is perfect to spend a productive hour or two. If you visit, you absolutely must check out their pottery for sale by the door! The quality is so high and yet the price is shockingly affordable, I ended up bringing home two one-of-a-kind plates as souvenirs of my trip.

Good For: Reading, quiet study, and casual working

Address: 6-16 Tenokuchicho, Kagoshima, 892-0845, Japan

Brew

Known For: Its library location and casual atmosphere

Why I Love It: Brew is a sort of no-thrills remote-friendly cafe that can be difficult to find away from Japan’s busier cities. It’s located on the 4th floor of a department store literally within a public library – you can’t get much better work vibes than that! It’s super casual with an open space design that means you can set up for an entire day without anyone so much as glancing your way. The drinks are solid, there are a few food options, and although it’s technically a library, you don’t need to be silent. This is my top pick for productive work days when you’re going to need to take meetings but don’t want to be stuck in your hotel room.

Good For: Taking meetings and knuckling down for a productive day of remote work

Address: ４階 1−12, Sennichicho, Kagoshima, 892-0843, Japan

Minato Cafe

Known For: Views, views, views

Why I Love It: Minato Cafe is probably the first thing you’ll see after stepping foot on Sakurajima. It’s literally found inside of the port and is just to the left of where you’ll disembark – in other words, it’s impossible to miss. The cafe has serene views of Kagoshima and the blue bay water and is such a lovely setting for a morning of work. You can take the ferry to the volcano, work for a few hours whilst watching the ships go by, then pack up and leave your bag in one of the super safe coin lockers before spending the afternoon exploring – how’s that for the dream work day? Definitely try out the sodas of soft serve ice cream to add a little fun to your work session although be warned, plug sockets are a little sparse.

Good For: Getting work done and sightseeing simultaneously

Address: 61-4 Sakurajimayokoyamacho, Kagoshima, 891-1419, Japan

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Mateno Coffee

Known For: Cosy ambiance and top-tier service

Why I Love It: First and foremost – Mateno Coffee actually opens at 7 am! Believe it or not, this is super rare for Japan with most cafes staying closed until closer to 10 am which can be frustrating if you’re struck with jetlag and need an early morning coffee. Not only does Mateno Coffee open daily at 7 am, but once inside you’ll get to enjoy the cosiest vibes filled with plants, plenty of wood, and woven baskets. It is on the smaller side so you may have to wait to get a seat on weekends, but the experience at Mateno Coffee is completely worth it. It serves some of the best coffee in Kagoshima with staff that do everything you can to give an amazing experience.

Good For: Early mornings and chill afternoons

Address: 3-19 Daikokucho, Kagoshima, 892-0825, Japan

What to do in Kagoshima?

Kagoshima is a perfect weekend or 2-day itinerary kind of destination. You can hit the main spots in a couple of days using public transport, or rent a car and take a bit more time to explore the surrounding area. These are my top 3 Kagoshima activities:

Spend the day on Sakurajima

Once an island, the cooled lava from an eruption in 1914 became a landbridge, turning Sakurajima into a peninsula. The best way to visit in my opinion is on the 15-minute ferry which costs 250 yen for a one-way ticket (a little over $1.60). The 360-degree views from the boat are some of the most stunning you’ll find anywhere in Japan, especially if you’re lucky enough to catch sunrise or sunset.

Once you’re on the island, you can explore on foot or bikes to the visitor centre, free public foot baths, onsen, and beaches. The day is sleepy, beautiful, and pretty romantic if you’re in a couple. Look out for the cats that occupy the forests, local fishermen, and if you’re lucky, a volcanic eruption!

Watch the sunset from Shiroyama Park

Finding the best sunset spots is always one of my favourite travel activities so if you’re anything like me, Shiroyama is a must. The walk up to the observation deck is a little steep and takes between 10 and 20 minutes depending on how quickly you you climb the many, many stairs. Make sure to leave enough time to reach the viewpoint before sunset starts so you can enjoy the full experience.

The observation deck doesn’t technically face the actual sunset, but it does give you a beautiful and uninterrupted view of Sakurajima against an orange/red/pink/purple/blue dusk sky. Golden hour is especially beautiful – there are not many times you get to see an active volcano so close during sunset.

Visit Sengan-en

About 30 minutes on the bus from central Kagoshima is Sengan-en, a traditional Japanese garden that was once owned by a feudal lord. The gardens are magnificently curated down to the detail with many little souvenir shops selling handcrafted local products and goods. You should make time to visit the matcha cafe for an afternoon sweet treat enjoyed against views of the volcano and don’t forget to stop by the visitor museum to learn about Sengan-en’s fascinating history and why it’s part of UNESCO’s Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.

Where Will Your Japan Trip Take You Next?

What other stops are you planning to make during your trip? Check out our other resources for digital nomads in Japan including how to be a digital nomad in Tokyo.

For coffee lovers and digital nomads, check out my other work-friendly cafe guides: