Irasshaimase! (いらっしゃいませ)
Kōhī o kudasai
koh-hee oh koo-dah-sigh
A coffee, please
Aisu kōhī
eye-su koh-hee
Iced coffee
Ikura desu ka?
ee-koo-rah dess-kah
How much is it?
Oishii desu!
oh-ee-shee dess
It's delicious!
The standard drip coffee — served black with extreme precision in kissaten
Iced coffee — Japan invented it; often brewed hot directly over ice for intense clarity
Common in chains; coffee with steamed or cold milk
Hot or cold from vending machines — a uniquely Japanese institution since 1969
Vacuum brewer beloved in old-school kissaten — theatrical and extraordinarily clean
Speak quietly — most Tokyo cafes are calm, thoughtful spaces
Cash is widely expected; many smaller kissaten don't take cards
Laptop working in specialty cafes is frowned upon — come to drink, not work
Service is impeccably polite; don't rush the barista
In kissaten, coffee often comes with a small sweet or salted snack
Tipping is not done in Japan — it can cause confusion or offence
Never tip. Tipping is considered rude in Japan — exceptional service is simply the standard.
¥500–¥800 for espresso drinks; ¥600–¥1,200 in specialty pour-over bars
Did you know? The Japanese kissaten (喫茶店) coffee house predates Western third-wave by decades — some have been serving hand-drip coffee with religious precision since the 1960s.