Shimokitazawa, Coffee to Matcha

Tokyo · Half day · morning

Three stops that open on the neighbourhood's strongest coffee room, ease through a quiet patio built for the scone rather than the cup, and close on Shimokitazawa's highest-scoring pour, a matcha bar that serves no coffee at all.

The route

1. Et -THE CULTURAL COFFEEHOUSE-
Shimokitazawa, Setagaya
Start here, before the neighbourhood's streets get busy. Et is the strongest coffee room in Shimokitazawa, a considered two-floor minimalist space that earns the "Cultural Coffeehouse" name. Open from 07:30 daily, so there is no need to rush the first cup.
6 min walk to the next stop
2. Look Up Coffee
Shimokitazawa, Setagaya
A short walk south, a quaint patio tucked off the busier streets. Order the Almond Caramelized Scone rather than judging the stop on the coffee, and let the visit run long. Last order is 18:30.
2 min walk to the next stop
3. MATCHA PASSPORT
Shimokitazawa, Setagaya
Close on the neighbourhood's highest score, up an easy-to-miss staircase. MATCHA PASSPORT sells no coffee at all, a genuine Steep Pick, and staff will talk you through single-origin varieties by name, the Tanuki from Wazuka, Kyoto, among them. Open until 22:00 (L.O. 21:30).