What is the first city you think of when you hear the words “East Asia”? Here is a hint: this East Asian city is mentioned in songs by artists from Bon Jovi and Fergie to Lupe Fiasco and Owl City. That’s right – Tokyo.
With over 2 million foreign visitors to Japan in December 2016, Japan is becoming a more prominent destination for both business and leisure – and Tokyo is a big part of that equation. In 2015, Narita and Haneda – Tokyo’s two airports – saw a total of over 110 million travelers annually (PDF), and Haneda was ranked as the fifth busiest airport in the world. Both airports also ranked in the Top 15 of the World Airport Awards.
With over 33 million residents in the greater metropolitan area, Tokyo is both a major cultural and international business hub. Out of the world’s top 500 companies, 51 of them have their headquarters in Tokyo. With affordable and efficient subway and train systems, it’s easy to get from one side of Tokyo to the next. It’s no wonder that Tokyo is one of the top ten cities in the world for business travel.
As someone who spent 2 years in Japan with frequent visits to Tokyo, I had time to find my go-to spots and hangouts, whether it was to relax from the non-stop energy of the city next to a shrine or to finish up a few hours of work hidden in a café. Whether you’re rushing to get to a client meeting, heading to one of Tokyo’s over 200 Michelin star restaurants (the most of any other city in the world), or just want to relax in a hot spring bath, you have good reason to make the most out of your trip to Tokyo. We’ve got a few ideas to get you started – whether you’re looking to conduct business or take a leisure break.
Five Business Spots
Sarutahiko Coffee
You can secure a new client over a quick business chat or meeting at Sarutahiko, a snug coffee shop near central Tokyo. Although space can be tight in this small venue during busy hours, you can’t beat the neighborhood vibes surrounding the café – a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and perfect for one-on-one chats. Enjoy a quality drip coffee here and even add a granola bowl to tide you over until the next meal.
- Features: coffee, granola, small tables and nooks for quick chats and meetings
- Location: 1-6-6, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0013
- Hours:
- Mon to Fri: 8 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. (next day)
- Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. (next day)
- Cost: ¥500 to ¥1,000
Sarutahiko is only a three-minute walk northeast of Ebisu Station. Ebisu is a major district in Tokyo known for its high concentration of cafés, restaurants, and izakaya (Japanese-style bars). Nestled one stop south on the Yamanote line, Ebisu started as a community built around the Japan Beer Brewery Company and takes its name from both the company and one of the Japanese Seven Gods of Fortune.
CASE Shinjuku
Already checked out of your hotel and need a place to work quietly for a couple hours before heading to the airport? Get off at Takadanobaba station and walk one minute to CASE Shinjuku – a coworking space. Drop in this quiet work space for a few hours or even the whole day to get that presentation or report finished. With WiFi, outlets, and ample sunlight, you’ll get productive in no time.
- Features: coworking space, shared offices, WiFi, power outlets, water cooler
- Location: Sankei Bldg 4F, 1-28-10 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0075
- Hours:
- Mon to Sat: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Closed on Sundays and national holidays
- Cost:
- Drop-in: ¥500/hour, ¥2,000/day
- Monthly-use: ¥16,200/month (plus ¥16,200 for an admission fee)
CASE Shinjuku is named and located in one of the most iconic Tokyo neighborhoods. With the busiest train station in the world (over 2 million passengers daily), Shinjuku is one of the prime locations in Tokyo. As a center for business, shopping, and entertainment, travelers and locals alike will often find themselves in this neck of the woods. Also, due west is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and many major hotels – all within walking distance to Shinjuku station.
Fuglen Tokyo
Need to meet with a colleague or client to chat or just want to knock out a few emails? If the world’s busiest Starbucks in Shibuya is too chaotic for you, head over to Fuglen Tokyo instead. An extension of the main store in Oslo, Norway, Fuglen Tokyo is a productive space that borrows from the relaxing vibes of the nearby park. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, and be sure to mix up your laptop gaze with an occasional glance at the park across the street.
- Features: tables, lounge chairs/couches, free WiFi, power outlets, coffee, tea, juice
- Location: 1-16-11 Tomigaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0063
- Hours:
- Mon to Fri: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sat to Sun: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Cost: ~¥1,000
Fuglen Tokyo is snug near the southwestern corner of Yoyogi Park. Featuring a large amount of lawns, ponds, and trees, Yoyogi Park is a great place to take a breather from your busy morning of meetings and deadlines. Bordered by Shinjuku to the north and Shibuya to the south, this green oasis can bring some relief to even the most stressful days during business travel. Adam Tope, a Partner at Greenberg Traurig LLP and frequent business traveler to Tokyo, agrees. He tells us, “I like to go to Yoyogi Park when the weather is nice. It is easy to get to on the subway and is a wonderful walk with shrines and is very peaceful.”
FabCafe Tokyo
Are you a designer, maker, or fellow creator? Do you need to fabricate a prototype for an upcoming client meeting but you’re on travel and have no idea where to go? Equipped with the latest in maker equipment is FabCafe Tokyo. Here you can reserve ahead of time or even drop in to use the cafe’s laser cutter, 3D printer, 3D scanner, and ScanNCut. Rates vary depending on reservation or drop-in, but you can always grab a bite and some coffee at the FabCafe Tokyo in-house eatery.
- Features: 3D printer, maker space
- Location: Dogenzaka PEER Bldg 1F, 1-22-7 Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0043
- Hours:
- Mon to Sat: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sundays and holidays: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Cost:
- Drop-in: ¥800 to ¥2,000 (minimum 10 minutes of equipment use)
- Reservation: ¥2,000 to ¥8,000 (minimum 45 minutes of equipment use)
FabCafe (by Marc Medina via FlickR CC BY 2.0 https://flic.kr/p/MwQx1J. License found here.)
Where is the busiest crosswalk in the world? Why, in Tokyo of course. More specifically, it is in Shibuya, a popular dining, shopping, and entertainment district. Regarded as one of Tokyo’s busiest and most colorful districts, Shibuya has endless options for both tourist and business traveler alike. FabCafe Tokyo is just a few minutes southwest of Shibuya station.
Lattest Omotesando
Lattest is a hip espresso cafe with friendly baristas – need I say more? Need to get some work done? Hop on Lattest’s free WiFi. Need a place to have an informal business meeting? There’s more than enough space in this cafe and without all the buzz of chain coffee shops. The only buzz at Lattest is from the caffeine!
- Features: drip coffee, lattes, free WiFi
- Location: 3-5-2, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
- Hours: Mon to Sun: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Cost: ~¥1,000
Just south of the popular Harajuku neighborhood lies Omotesando, a one-kilometer long, tree-lined street with restaurants, cafés, and luxury-goods stores bursting at the seams with pedestrians. As one of the main paths to get to the famous Meiji Shrine, Omotesando is a popular Tokyo tourist area. While the main street itself can be suffocating sometimes, business travelers can meander their way into the quieter neighborhoods north of the street to find some hidden gems. And Lattest just happens to be one of them.
Even the most productive and efficient business traveler knows that it isn’t all work and no play. It is important to rejuvenate and get away from the desk and more so when abroad, or else the scenery between the office and plane will begin to wear on even the most experienced of business travelers. As the largest metropolis in the world, Tokyo offers plenty of options to unwind or talk business in a more informal setting. Here’s a few we’ve picked out:
Chanko Edosawa Tokyo
A short ride from Tokyo station, Chanko Edosawa Tokyo is a great spot to try a local favorite: chanko nabe. This is a famous sumo wrestler dish and rightfully so! It is a mouth-watering mix of meat, vegetables, and noodles cooking in a steaming broth right at your table. Choose your type of broth – salt, soy sauce, or miso – and eat up! Chanko nabe is the perfect meal to celebrate with colleagues or unwind at the end of a long day of business meetings.
- Features: hot pot (chicken, pork, beef), fried chicken, udon noodles, sashimi
- Location: 3 Chome-24-11 Ryōgoku, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0026 (South of Ryōgoku station)
- Hours: Mon to Sun: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. / 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Last order: 10 p.m.)
- Cost: ¥1,000 to ¥7,000
Chanko Edosawa Tokyo is located in Ryogoku, a neighborhood nestled next to the Sumida River in northern Tokyo and known as the heart of professional sumo wrestling in Japan. With three of the six national sumo tournaments held in the Ryogoku sumo arena every year, it is no surprise that you will most likely encounter a sumo wrestler or two going from training to the train station!
Bambi Tsukishima
Literally meaning “grilled/fried as you like it”, okonomiyaki is a Japanese savory pancake that comes in many different forms, depending on the region. A search for okonomiyaki in Tokyo will lead you to Bambi Tsukishima.
With a flour base as well as eggs and cabbage, the additional toppings on okonomiyaki are endless. Popular additions include cheese, potatoes, pork, squid, shrimp, and more as the final product is topped with bonito flakes, seasoning, and mayo. Each table at Bambi Tsukishima even has its own grill, which adds a great personal touch to your meal. If you’re feeling like a local and want to have Bambi Tsukishima’s specialty, try the Tokyo version of okonomiyaki called monjayaki. When searching for this restaurant, look for the Bambi doll in front!
- Features: okonomiyaki, monjayaki, appetizers
- Location: 1-22-9 Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0052
- Hours: Sun to Sat: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Cost:
- Lunch: ¥1,000 to ¥2,000
- Dinner: ¥2,000 to ¥3,000
The Tsukishima neighborhood is a man-made island and a short walk from Ginza (a popular shopping district) and the Tsukiji Fish Market. On his trips to Tokyo, Mr. Tope tells us that Ginza is one area he prefers to visit and agrees it “has excellent shopping and wonderful high-end stores.” A short skip from Tsukishima station lies Nishinaka Street, where a huge concentration of restaurants serving okonomiyaki can be found. If your stomach is rumbling after a day of client meetings, unwind with some shopping in Ginza and then stroll over to Tsukishima if you want to try authentic Japanese soul food!
Mercer Brunch
Need to meet with a client but want to get outside of the office? At Mercer Brunch, you can get brunch even if it is during the workweek. Negotiate even the toughest of deals as you and your clients melt over your respectives plates of Mercer Brunch’s famous brioche French toast. Amidst the outdoor patio seating, fighting off the post-brunch food coma will be a challenge worth accepting!
- Features: brioche French toast, coffee, sofa and table seating, open terrace
- Location: 4-2-35 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032
- Hours:
- Mon to Fri: From 10 a.m.
- Sat to Sun: From 9 a.m.
- Cost: ¥1,600 to ¥3,000
Nestled between both Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown, Mercer Brunch is a five-minute walk from Roppongi station. If you’re on regular business in Tokyo, chances are you will stop by Roppongi Hills at least once. A huge complex of offices, residences, shops, and restaurants, Roppongi Hills is a major hub for the financial and IT sectors in southern Tokyo. It is also less than a kilometer from Tokyo Midtown, another major commercial and business center.
Yokohama Minato Mirai Manyo Club
If you’re looking to mellow out and relax after a busy day of meetings or a long flight, then do what the locals do and visit a public bath or onsen. Tokyo salarymen have a reputation for long hours, but onsen are their secret for rejuvenation. Filled with minerals and salts, onsen water is both relaxing and revitalizing – just what the doctor ordered. If you need a boost, head over to the Minato Mirai Manyo Club. Open 24 hours a day, you can rest in public baths, grab a bite to eat, and relax in one of the lounges. Rest assured, you’ll leave feeling ready to take on the next day.
Yokohama Minato Mirai Manyo Club
- Features: flexible hours, public baths, restaurant, lounge, rooms (western, Japanese, and capsule)
- Location: 2-7-1 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture 231-0001
- Hours: 24 hours / 7 day a week
- Cost: ¥2,500 to ¥4,500
As the second largest city in Japan and one of the first ports to open to foreign trade, there is no shortage of business to be done in Yokohama. Accessible by train less than a half hour south of Tokyo, Yokohama has all the perks of a big city but without the crazy pace of Tokyo. If you’re in downtown Yokohama, definitely make some time to explore and then kick back at the Minato Mirai Manyo Club.
Book and Bed
If you’re looking for both a unique and relaxing place to spend a night or two, Book and Bed Tokyo combines two seemingly unrelated pieces of furniture: beds and bookshelves. Self-proclaimed as an “accommodation bookshop,” Book and Bed Tokyo offers guests the unique opportunity to sleep amongst the books. That is, there are beds built into the bookshelves. Climb a ladder and hop in bed to surround yourself in the over 1,700 books available. Only catch is: you can’t take any books home with you. This overnight stay is perfect for the business traveler who wants a fresh and relaxing take on the Japanese-style capsule hotel. Bookings fill up fast, but don’t worry! If you can’t reserve a bed, you can stop by during the day for some quick reading.
- Features: bunk beds, bookshelf beds, quiet shared space, over 1,700 books (both English and Japanese), WiFi, storage lockers
- Location: 1-17-7, Lumiere building 7th floor, Nishi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku Tokyo, Japan 171-0021
- Hours: Sun to Sat
- Shared space: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (no overnight)
- Rooms: Check-in 4 p.m to 11 p.m. / Check-out 11 a.m.
- Cost:
- Shared space: ¥500 per hour / ¥1,500 total (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; does not include beds)
- Rooms: ¥3,500 to ¥5,000
You can find Book and Bed in Ikebukuro. Located along the northwestern part of the Yamanote train loop, Ikebukuro is a large commercial hub with train station traffic that rivals Shinjuku station. There are numerous dining, entertainment, and shopping options in Ikebukuro, with major department and electronics stores, Sunshine City (Tokyo’s first “city within the city”), and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space.
Planning Your Trip
On your next trip to Tokyo, we hope you use some or all of the above suggestions to make the most of your time there. Whether you’re looking for a quiet corner in a coffee shop to send a few more emails or a place to discuss your next business venture over some beef hotpot, Tokyo has endless options for both business and leisure travelers alike. Heading to Tokyo or another destination soon? Let Claire help you plan your next trip!