Finding a work-friendly coffee shop in Tokyo that’s open into the night can be trickier than you may expect. This city might never seem to sleep, but that’s because people are sipping highballs at karaoke until the early hours of the morning, not coffee at a cafe.
As a freelance content writer, I often find myself typing into the late evening, whether that’s because I have meetings with clients in very different time zones or simply had inspiration hit as I’m eating dinner. Either way, having a list of these amazing late-night cafes for remote work in my back pocket has proven useful on more than one occasion, which is why I’m sharing it with you.
Keep reading to discover:
- Good Sound Coffee, Nakameguro
- Forest Library (森の図書室), Shibuya
- Mermaid Coffee Roasters, Ikebukuro
- Bonds, Meguro
- Sarutahiko The Bridge, Harajuku
- Streamer Coffee Akasaka
- Verve Coffee Roasters, Roppongi
- Tokyo Coffee Chains
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Good Sound Coffee, Nakameguro
Opening Hours: Daily 8am – 11pm
Address: Mori Bldg., 1 Chome-6-5 Kamimeguro, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0051
Why I Love it: I’ll keep it simple: sipping a late-night coffee at Good Sound Coffee while gently typing on your laptop is just the ultimate vibe. This cafe is in the coolest part of town, Nakameguro, and though it might be small, the super high ceilings, bar seating that opens up to the street, and a laidback atmosphere make it feel more than spacious.
Wifi: 4/5
Plug Sockets: 4/5
Seating: A choice of bar seats, tables, and outside stools
Forest Library (森の図書室), Shibuya
Opening Hours: Daily 9am – 10:45pm
Address: Shibuya Daiichi Kangyo Bank Joint Building, 8F, 23-3, Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo, 150-0042
Why I Love it: The Forest Library (or Mori No Tosyo-Shitsu) is a really special place. It’s a sort of library, cafe, cowork space hybrid that’s open late into the evening, with prices starting at ¥1,000/hour ($6.70) for unlimited tea and coffee. There is also an alcohol menu, food, and snacks to suit any kind of evening laptop session.
The walls are lined with books, the lighting is kept intentionally low, and there’s a calm ambience that’s ideal for working into the night.
Wifi: 5/5
Plug Sockets: 4/5
Seating: Stools and tables
Read More:
The Five Best Cafes in Shibuya for Coffee, Vibes, and Remote Work
A guide of my personal five favourite Shibuya coffee shops that cover work-friendly cafes, speciality coffee, and indulgent Japanese desserts.
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Mermaid Coffee Roasters, Ikebukuro
Opening Hours: Daily 9am – 10pm
Address: Ikebukuro Building, 1 Chome-23-4, Higashiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo, 170-0013
Why I Love it: If you’ve read my guide to the best laptop-friendly cafes in Tokyo, you’ll have seen exactly how much I adore working from Mermaid Coffee Roasters. The eclectic and creative energy in Mermaid is unlike any other coffee shop in Tokyo, with the low-key evening atmosphere simply adding to the vibes.
To make things even better, Mermaid has some of the best coffee in the city, so you don’t have to sacrifice a delicious brew just because it’s late.
Wifi: 3/5
Plug Sockets: 4/5
Seating: Big variety of tables, chairs, and sofas
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Bonds, Meguro
Opening Hours: Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun 11am – 10pm, and Fridays 11am – 11pm
Address: 2 Chome-13-44 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa City, Tokyo 141-0021
Why I Love it: Bonds Meguro is an intimate coffee shop for late-night working, where no matter the time, staff are always friendly. Beyond just coffee, there is a selection of herbal teas, juices, and alcoholic drinks for non-caffeinated orders.
Bonds Meguro has an easy atmosphere for zoning into an evening work session, with a choice of bar seating, solo tables, or outdoor stools.
Wifi: 4/5
Plug Sockets: 3/5
Seating: Bar, tables, outside stools
Sarutahiko The Bridge, Harajuku
Opening Hours: Daily 8am – 10pm
Address: Harajuku Station, 2F, 1 Chome-18-20 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001
Why I Love it: The Bridge is honestly one of my most frequented cafes for remote work in Tokyo. It has the ideal mix of function, style, and location as an extremely laptop-friendly space above Harajuku station.
The tables, lighting, and decor have been carefully designed for quiet focus, whilst the space is still large enough to join remote meetings without feeling disruptive to those around you. There’s a large drink menu as well as some food and pastries, ensuring that you are fuelled up for working until 10pm.
Wifi: 3/5
Plug Sockets: 4/5
Seating: Plenty of tables, sofas, and stools
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Streamer Coffee Akasaka
Opening Hours: Daily 8:30am – 9:30pm
Address: 3 Chome-6-14 Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0052
Why I Love it: Streamer might be a chain, but each location has something a little different to offer. The Akasaka location is open late, with a cool late-night energy that’s complemented by their alcohol menu and industrial-inspired interiors.
A few things that don’t vary by location are Streamer’s high-quality coffee, innovative menu, and extremely reliable wifi. This late-night cafe in Tokyo is comfortable, cool, and great for evening studying, working, or remote video calls.
Wifi: 5/5
Plug Sockets: 4/5
Seating: Stools and large communal tables
Verve Coffee Roasters, Roppongi
Opening Hours: Daily 7am – 9pm
Address: 5 Chome-16-7 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0032
Why I Love it: This is another chance for me to sneak in another of my favourite work-friendly cafes in all of Tokyo. Even at night, Verve has a refreshing feeling thanks to the high ceilings, huge windows, and green centrepiece on the upper floor.
The coffee is great, there’s always available seating, and even after 6 hours of work, you don’t feel pressured to head out. The only note is that the wifi can be a little dodgy, so you might need to tether from your phone or use a portable wifi hotspot.
Wifi: 3/5
Plug Sockets: 4/5
Seating: Tables and stools
Read More:
Work-Friendly Cafes in Minato City (Roppongi, Azabu Juban, and Aoyama)
Top 5 coffee shops for working in Minato-Ku, Tokyo including Roppongi, Azabu Juban, and Aoyama.
Tokyo Coffee Chains
It should go without saying that there’s nothing I love more than an independent coffee shop with interesting roasts and an intimate atmosphere…however, when I have a deadline and need a place to work in Tokyo after 8pm, the options can be limited.
That’s why, when in a pinch, you have to keep Tokyo’s coffee chains in mind. Unfortunately, not all of them are open late, but here are my top three recommendations of coffee chains that are likely to stay open after 8pm with reliable wifi, lots of plug sockets, and plenty of seating.
Tully’s Coffee
Tully’s might not have the best (or even particularly good) coffee, but it is incredibly reliable. When in Tokyo, you’re almost guaranteed to be within 10 minutes of a Tully’s where there’s always good wifi and if not stylish, then at least comfortable seating.
Komeda Coffee
Komeda Coffee is more like a diner than a cafe, making it ideal for late-night study or work sessions in Tokyo. Alongside the filter coffee, you can get desserts and meals to keep yourself fuelled with big booth tables which make for a super spacious and somewhat private work station.
Hoshino Coffee
Hoshino Coffee has an old-school Japanese vibe with dark wood, faux-leather armchairs, and even the occasional wall sconce. They tend to stay open until at least 10pm, serving meals and desserts alongside the coffee menu. I particularly recommend treating yourself to their fluffy soufflé pancakes as a reward for working into the night.
Working Remotely From Tokyo
If you’re a fellow freelancer, a digital nomad in Tokyo, or on vacation in Japan and looking for a place to wait out the jetlag while working, then this is the place for you. To receive my weekly posts on remote work and travel, simply input your email into the subscription box below.
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