Tokyo Cafés

Tokyo has plenty of cafés and tea shops to soak up the local atmosphere and escape the city's commercial hustle and bustle. Café culture is thriving in Tokyo, where novelties such as the manga craze have taken over many venues. In addition, the Japanese are caffeine fanatics and kissaten (coffee shops) have been set up on every corner to cater to this demand.

@home Café

Located on the top floor of the Don Quijote building, @home Café is one of the most popular maid cafés in Akihabara. Food is reasonably priced, with most dishes around the 1,000 yen mark.

Christon Café

A great atmosphere for those looking to lounge around on a leather couch surrounded by cathedral lighting, gargoyles, and an array of Christian decor. First class service with price that is hard to believe considering how great the food is, with most mains well under ¥ 1,000. "Amuse" charge of ¥ 300 per person on top. Very nice place for somebody on a tight budget that would like to indulge in a top class establishment.

Cure Maid

Rumors claim that the Cure Maid was Akihabara's very first meido café. In these cafés, waitresses dressed in maid costumes act as servants, and treat customers as masters (and mistresses) in a private home, rather than as café patrons. Cure Maid is more quiet and less expensive than most other venues that have appeared since.

Otemachi Café

Cool eco-inspired café with Amazon-like vegetation and Fair Trade programs with local suppliers. Even the interior is entirely made of recycled materials. The drink list ranges from shochu and whisky to fresh juices and organic beers, while the menu features dishes like the Saffron Rice Omelet, Shellfish Spaghetti, strawberry cake and chocolate mousse. Cheap even though it is close to Ginza.

Torindo

Torindo is a gorgeous little tea shop located just a short walk from the Tokyo National Museum. The staff speaks only Japanese and the menu is entirely in Japanese, but to experience a tea ceremony without frills, this is an excellent choice. They also serve delectable Japanese desserts and selections of "gochika" - candied fruit and vegetables.

ZAO

This coffee shop is open around the clock for anyone who does not fall asleep - and order something at least every two hours. With an interior that probably hasn't been changed since the 70's this café primarily attracts college students pulling all-nighters and insomniacs. Try the huge jumbo parfait (ice cream sundae), which is literally served in a fishbowl.