Freelance writing in Japan has led me to check out A LOT of coffee shops and while I do have my favourite independent cafes in Tokyo, I often rely on chains for finding a great remote work cafe in a pinch.

I might be in a new area of the city, looking for reliable WiFi, or just craving some familiar comforts – whatever the reason, chain coffee shops in Japan are so much more than just a quick cup of average joe. To make sure you don’t miss out on the hidden gems of Japanese chain coffee, here are my top 10 chain coffee shops in Tokyo.

Japanese Chain Restaurants and Cafes

As someone approaching the end of their third year in Tokyo, I’ve given out a lot of Japan recommendations. From the best Tokyo day trips to my favourite coffee shops for remote work, I have a lot to say to anyone new to or visiting this amazing country.

So let me give you a piece of advice…visit Japanese chain restaurants and cafes!

With any other city, country, or vacation, I would never usually throw out this suggestion – but Japan isn’t like any other place. Here, every detail of almost every establishment has been carefully and intentionally designed to bring customers the best possible experience, and this doesn’t stop at chains.

Actually, some of my all-time favourite Japanese restaurants are chain locations like Marugame, Cocoichi, and SushiRo…so if you’re skipping chains just because they’re chains then you are seriously missing out.

Of course, even in Japan, not all chain coffee shops are made equal. Keep reading to learn my ranking of Tokyo’s top 10 coffee shop chains for great coffee, cool vibes, and a productive day of remote work.

Ranking Tokyo’s Top 10 Coffee Shop Chains

10. Tully’s Coffee

Spend just one day in Tokyo and you’ll probably pass at least five different Tully’s locations. It’s one of the biggest coffee chains in Japan meaning you’re never far from a Tully’s cup of coffee…although I don’t know if that’s always a good thing. The coffee is not the best. But it is consistent. When you’re in a pinch, Tully’s will never let you down: they have good WiFi, lots of comfortable seating options, and plenty of plug sockets. In other words, you have a remote work office option just about anywhere in Tokyo.

Price: ¥

Best For: Convenience and consistency

9. Ueshima Coffee House

Ueshima Coffee House is a pretty run-of-the-mill chain establishment with a lot more personality than most. The drink and food menus might not be anything to write home about, however, having actual full meal options for breakfast and lunch is a huge plus when working from a coffee shop. Ueshima Coffee House is owned by UCC, a company you might recognise from their vending machine coffee empire. This starts to make sense when you take a sip of their strong but unoffensive coffee options.

Price: ¥

Best For: Food menus with actual meals

8. Caffè Veloce

With its 3D letters and cherry red exteriors, Caffè Veloce is hard to miss. It’s a high street staple that sort of is exactly what it looks like: respectable coffee with comfortable albeit characterless seating. Credit where credit’s due, this chain does have some pretty great desserts in Japan’s characteristic whimsical and creamy style that change with the season. There are locations all over Tokyo and I’ve always found them to have available tables and WiFi although you sometimes have to hunt out the best outlet spots.

Price: ¥

Best For: Sweet treats

7. St. Marc Cafe

If you can’t read Hiragana (the Japanese alphabet), then you might be surprised to know that ‘Choco Cro’ chain coffee shop is actually called St. Marc Cafe – no, it doesn’t make sense to me either. The orange circle sign with a croissant in the middle can be spotted all across Tokyo offering slightly above average coffee and relatively okay freshly baked goods. The best thing about St. Marc Cafe? The ambiance! The insides are styled with dark wood, low lighting, and what can only be described as a chain cafe’s attempt at chic. I find it so easy to focus in a St Marc Cafe location that it’s often my choice for guaranteed productivity.

Price: ¥

Best For: Easy access to a productive atmosphere

6. Starbucks

You have to trust me on this one, Starbucks in Japan is so much better than in the West. Not only do they offer a wildly Japanese seasonal menu with things like sakura (cherry blossom) lattes and Coca-Cola frappuccinos but the pastries are genuinely delicious! Seriously, trying a cake from a Starbucks in Japan is a must-do when visiting. For something a little fancy, you should check out the Meguro Starbucks Reserve and for everyday remote work sessions, you can’t overstate the ease of getting a grande oat milk latte and connecting to Starbucks’ unfaltering WiFi.

Price: ¥¥¥

Best For: Unique drinks and desserts plus reliable WiFi

5. Hoshino Coffee

From the outside, Hoshino looks like an old kissaten (traditional Japanese coffee house) that’s a little intimidating for tourists and remote workers…this couldn’t be further from the truth. Hoshino is an elevated cafe chain across Japan that offers elegance intermixed with tradition. Inside you’ll find dark colours, booths, and usually a couple of chandeliers. Now to the most important thing about Hoshino: always order the souffle pancakes. These sweet and fluffy delicacies are iconic Japanese desserts and nowhere makes them like Hoshino.

Price: ¥¥

Best For: Souffle Pancakes

4. Blue Bottle Coffee

Another US chain, Blue Bottle Coffee simply cannot be overlooked on this ranking of the best chain coffee shops in Tokyo. Blue Bottle is already known in America for its clean white aesthetic and high-quality coffee, now mix that with Japan’s dedication to perfection and you have something pretty special. A lot of the locations favour the chain’s signature minimalist style which although visually pleasing and conducive to a productive work session, does mean a lack of seats and outlets. You may have to wait to get a good table but their creamy, delicious, and perfectly made lattes are absolutely worth it.

Price: ¥¥¥

Best For: Delicious coffee and minimalist vibes

3. Sarutahiko Coffee

The fun thing about Sarutahiko Coffee is that every location is a little different. While the quality of coffee, service, and menus remain consistent, the themes and vibes vary wonderfully to perfectly suit each location’s…well, location! My favourite Sarutahiko is The Bridge Harajuku which is conveniently found above Harajuku station. There are ample plug sockets, a bunch of seats, and you never feel like you’ve overstayed your welcome. Sarutahiko is best known for serving speciality coffee in a welcoming environment perfect for an afternoon of freelance writing.

Price: ¥¥

Best For: Staying for hours working or catching up with friends

2. Streamer Coffee

Streamer Coffee is an ultra-cool chain that fuses the traditional with the modern and never compromises on coffee quality. The spaces feel both contemporary and old-style in a unique take on what a cafe can be. It uses wood and stone for stunning interiors that have seats, sofas, and tables comfortable enough to sit for hours. The coffee menu is innovative and exciting with genuinely delicious coffee at a standard that’s hard to find in other chain coffee shops in Tokyo plus there’s good WiFi and a quiet but relaxed atmosphere ideal for taking calls or losing yourself in your work.

Price: ¥¥¥

Best For: Cool and intimate kissaten cafe vibes without any intimidation

1. Verve

It’s no secret that Verve Roppongi is probably my all-time favourite work-friendly cafe in Tokyo. They make incredibly good drinks, have a decent-sized food menu, and the vibes are just unmatched. It’s super spacious (rare for Tokyo) with tonnes of natural lighting and a laidback but energetic atmosphere that makes clicking into a productive workday feel like a breeze. Verve’s other locations are equally as wonderful, each feeling more like a boutique and speciality coffee shop than a small chain location. If you’re looking for a place that pairs great coffee with immaculate remote work vibes, then Verve is the chain for you.

Price: ¥¥

Best For: Top-tier tea and coffee with natural light and an easy-going atmosphere

Want to start freelancing from cafes in Japan?

Freelancing from Japan has been a total joy for me over the past few years. To make a move on your journey, check out my guide to life as a digital nomad in Tokyo below.