The days of summer are officially upon us. You know what that means—sipping wine on a terrace, pottering on a patio, vegging out on a veranda. Throw on some shades, grab a book or your laptop, and head to one of these Tokyo cafe/bar spots with a good dose of vitamin D.
Segafredo (Mita, Shimokitazawa, Hiroo locations)
Segafredo is well known for being one of the best coffee chains when it comes to getting a decent espresso.
At the Mita Bellju Building location, they put tables out on the plaza under the shadow of the skyscrapers around. You can get a draft beer from ¥420 or a gin and tonic and other long drinks from ¥400 a pop.
Segafredo Mita Bellju Satellite
The runner-up cheapo terrace prize goes to Segafredo Shimokitazawa for four tables of outdoor seating (open till 2 am on weekends), and Segafredo Hiroo for having a reasonable vista.
La Bohème (Shirokanedai location)
La Bohème has a reputation for being a place to get cheap, good value Italian food. At the Shirokanedai branch, you can while away the night on a beautiful leafy terrace with inexpensive drinks almost until dawn—they’re open until 2:30 am. Cocktails start from ¥500 and a glass of Heartland beer goes for ¥500.
La Bohème Shirokanedai
Paul (Yotsuya location)
Woman might be able to live on flutes sesame alone. | Photo by Selena HoyPaul, the French bakery chain that makes outta-this-world sesame flutes, usually only has a take-away storefront, or at most a few chairs where you can sip your café creme. But at the Yotsuya location, Paul boasts a full-service restaurant café with a lovely outdoor seating area. Wine and beers start around ¥500, and if you order food, it comes with a BOTTOMLESS BREAD BASKET!
Paul – Yotsuya
El Caliente (Shinagawa)
Like it hot? El Caliente serves up Nuevo Mexican cuisine on the fourth floor of the Atre Building in Shinagawa. Winning with a spacious open terrace, this place offers beer, sangria, and a generous handful of liquors and cocktails for ¥500–¥600. And of course, what goes better with beer than tacos? This spot has not only the standard Corona, but also Sol and Tecate in the bottle all for a fiver.
El Caliente Shinagawa
Marunouchi House
The seventh floor of the Shin-Marunouchi Building is terrace heaven. You can order grub from any of the nine restaurants inside—they’re not super budget-friendly, but with a spot of strategic menu selecting, you can cobble together a decent meal for ¥1,200 or so. The tables outside offer views of the Parliament building as well as Tokyo Station—both of which seem less stress-filled when they’re lit up at night. There is also a decent pub called Stand T on the first floor, which spills out onto the pavement. Here, you can swig ¥500 glasses of wine or beer and watch the hustle and bustle of the CBD pass by.
Marunouchi House
Royal Garden Cafe
This chain of terraced cafes might not be the cheapest option, but they’ve got a bit of swank (admittedly not shown in the image above). Their lunch sets hover around the ¥1,200 mark (on weekdays, weekends are closer to ¥2,000), and glasses of wine start at ¥450. Collect some of those yens and head down to the Aoyama branch—that’s always our first choice.
Royal Garden Cafe – Aoyama
Cafe Rostro
For good, strong coffee and a light meal, grab a seat at this cafe in Tomigaya (not far from Shibuya). Cafe Rostro is right next door to its roastery origins, and features a full-on outdoor terrace—both of these things make us very happy. Knock back an espresso for ¥250, and try their breakfast set for ¥800 if you stop by in the morning.
Cafe Rostro
Garden Café with Terrace Bar
The aptly named Garden Café with Terrace Bar in Takanawa is located close to Shinagawa Station in the Goos Building. Both beer and wine are available for the price of one gold coin, ¥500. The bar stays open till midnight and is the perfect hangout for those warm summer nights.
Garden Café with Terrace Bar
Café Bohemia
Hidden down a side street close to Tokyu Hands, smack center in Shibuya, this European-themed bar and cafe has cozy outdoor seating with an urban flair. Not dirt cheap, but both beer and wine are available from ¥700 per glass if you want to have an alfresco stopover during your Shibuya tour. It’s open from noon till 5 am, and closes at midnight on Sundays and on days before a public holiday.
Cafe Bohemia
T.Y. Harbor
Without doubt, this waterfront place has one of the best views in Tokyo. It is a short 15-minute walk from Shinagawa Station, but worth it for the atmosphere. Well known for its craft beers, prices start from around ¥580 for a small glass. Open until midnight.
T.Y. Harbor
Bonus: Cafe Terrace Tree Garden in Kamakura
Also known as Itsuki Garden, this little spot in the mountains of Kamakura (just south of Tokyo, in Kanagawa Prefecture) is surrounded by trees and pleasant views. While it’s not cheap (a coffee costs ¥600, and drinks go up from there), it’s jolly nice, and we highly recommend it.
This post was originally published in May 2015 and was last updated in May 2019 by Mareike Dornhege.
Get our Tokyo Cheapo Hacks direct to your inbox
-
![ramen bowl]()
Japan's "Go To Eat" Campaign: What You Need to Know
What's on the menu for the government's latest economic recovery initiative?
-
![tokyo typhoon rain]()
-
![Japanese fall foods]()
Eating with the Season: 10 Fall Foods to Try in Japan
The autumn season is rich with sweet and savory flavors!
-
![Hibiya, Tokyo]()
Tokyo Parks Mega Guide: Lounging on Lawns and Japanese Gardens Galore
Traditional Japanese gardens, teahouses, flora and fauna, or just a place to relax—these parks are the perfect break from the concrete jungle.
-
![Blue Bottle Coffee Aoyama branch]()
-
![Hitachi Seaside Park nemophilia]()
Tokyo Flower Mega Guide: Blooms to See Every Month of the Year
See hydrangeas in spring, hills of baby blue eyes in summer, chrysanthemums in autumn and bright-red camellias in winter.
-
![]()
-
![mount fuji train]()
Tokyo to Mount Fuji: Getting There
You may not be able to hike Mt. Fuji this year, but you can still enjoy the scenery!
-
![tokyo autumn]()
Autumn in Tokyo: A Guide to the Golden Season
All the highlights of this picture-perfect season—from koyo (autumn leaf viewing) to seasonal specialties and events.
-
![A glass of beer, outside with some tomatoes]()
Guide to Ordering Japanese Craft Beer from Home
Order your favorite craft beer online to support local brewers. Plus, we've included a special discount offer for Cheapo readers in Japan!
-
![obon japan]()
Prefectural Leaders Call for Caution During Obon Travel Period
People are being asked to reconsider their plans to visit family & friends in mid-August.
-
![tokyo cafe]()
Hit the Coffee Spot at Hipster Cafes in Tokyo
The best coffee spots in the city with reasonable prices and oftentimes free wifi.
