Study spots in Tokyo: where to put your head down and get your homework done

This article is part of our Study Spots in Japan series.

You’ve settled into your new home in Japan and your Japanese language lessons have started, so it’s time to get down to business and start studying hard. While your school and home are the most obvious places to study, where do you go if you want a change of scenery? It can be tough figuring out where else to go when you’re studying abroad in Japan, which is why we’ve put together a list of our favorite study spots in Tokyo.

Cafes

If you live in a sizable city, chances are you’ll have a few cafe options to choose from when looking for somewhere to study. While there’s a good chance there will be free Wi-Fi, power outlets are a different matter. Not all cafes offer the chance to charge your phone or laptop. It’s important to note that if you plan on staying for a longer time, make sure to order at least one item or more. The universal cafe etiquette rule generally dictates that if you plan on spending time there, keep on ordering. Ordering food/beverages is generally the trade-off for free Wi-Fi and a study spot. 

Tokyo is one of the biggest cities in the world so it should come as no surprise that there are a wide variety of cafe options for you to choose from. 

Large chain cafes like Tully’s, Starbucks, and Doutor are good, reliable options that can be found all over the country in major cities. They should offer free Wi-Fi and plenty of space, so you can set up your own little study area. If you’re looking for something a bit more indie and local, then considering visiting:

• Streamer Coffee Company — A popular spot amongst coffee lovers, their cafe shops are always set up in a cozy way with comfortable seating. They don’t necessarily have the largest amount of space, but if you get there early you should be able to get yourself a seat. You can find locations around Tokyo and Osaka.
• Bundan — A great cafe/bar with a bit of a literary twist, lined with a wide array of 20,000 Japanese books available for browsing. This little touch makes it the perfect independent coffee shop for studying.
• Blue Bottle — Blue Bottle is an internationally-renowned higher-end coffee chain that delights coffee enthusiasts around the world. With its commitment to sustainability, great coffee beans, flavor, and modern interior designs, Blue Bottle is always a fan-favorite study spot.
• Good Sound Coffee — The world’s first stereophonic space cafe that surrounds visitors with 360 degree sound. Enjoy some alone time while you study and listen to the soothing sounds enveloping your ear space.
• Caffice — While the stylish interior and delicious food and drink may seem like the big draw of Caffice, it’s actually the free Wi-Fi and conveniently located power outlets at every spot that are the main attraction.
• Valley Park Stand — Located at Shibuya’s trendy Miyashita Park, this cafe offers food and coffee during the day and then switches to craft beers and cocktails at night. A great place to study if you’re looking to blow off some steam after a long day of cramming kanji into your head.

Restaurants

This option might seem a bit more unusual, but it’s pretty normal to see students studying at family restaurants (casual restaurants with affordable food). They usually have long opening hours and free Wi-Fi. Don’t forget to order from their menu as a courtesy for using their space.

• Royal Host — A chain that is somewhere between a cafe and a restaurant. They have an expansive range of food, but also let you visit just for coffee or a snack. The drinks have free refills if you opt in for the drink bar, so you can stay awhile without it costing too much and when you get hungry you can have a proper meal.
• Gusto — A similar setup to Royal Host. They also have an all-you-can-drink soft drink bar to keep your energy up as you study.
• Denny’s — This popular US chain also has a presence in Japan! That said, the menu is quite different and tends to specialize in various set meals of Asian cuisine rather than the burgers or pancakes you may be used to.
• Jonathan’s — A popular family restaurant that is easily identifiable by its white and blue stripe signs, Jonathan’s offers different lunch sets for cheap — a different one for every day of the work week, giving you the option between a Western cuisine set or a Japanese one.

Libraries

This might seem obvious but a lot of people, even students, forget about libraries when it comes to the best study spots in Japan. With Wi-Fi, peace and quiet, and a wealth of resources, they’re the perfect place to practice your Japanese.

Each city is likely to have a larger library that you can access pretty much in the same way as your home country. As well as larger central libraries, most prefectures will have several smaller public libraries. In order to withdraw books you’ll need to register, which usually means that you’ll need to either be a resident of the area or work/study in the area. This can be a little trickier if you’re still newer to Japanese but many larger prefecture websites will have a page in English that explains the process.

• The Tokyo Metropolitan Central Library — One of Tokyo’s best libraries with one of the largest foreign language sections in the city. It’s exceptionally large and has a cafe on site if you need to top up your coffee intake.
• Musashino Place — With a modern, open architectural plan, this library in the western area of Tokyo has four floors and three basements. Each floor has its own unique purpose and designated color scheme, which can make it a fun place to study.

Outdoor spots

If you are searching for a more lowkey and nature-friendly place to study, there are some beautiful outdoor spots around the country where you can venture to for a more relaxed study environment.

• Sumidagawa River — There are plenty of benches and tables all along the river. Watch the boats go by to help you relax.
• Shinjuku Gyoen — Although there is a small entrance fee, this park may be one of the most beautiful and peaceful bits of nature found in the concrete jungle of Tokyo. 
• Yoyogi Park — A popular spot for hanami, this park is one of the largest in Tokyo, ensuring a plethora of study spots with its many wide-open lawns.

Share Lounge

A Share Lounge is a space where the features of a coworking space, cafe, and lounge are often combined to create a place for people to work, study, and gather. The drop-in fees are usually quite affordable and vary depending on the length of time and location of the share lounge. Free food and drink, Wi-Fi, power sockets, rental of work equipment, and other great amenities are available. Locations can be found all around Tokyo and Japan, with some Share Lounges in iconic places like Shibuya, overlooking the famous Shibuya Crossing.

• Tsutaya Bookstore Shibuya Scramble Square — Fancy getting some studying done with one of the best viewpoints in Tokyo? Located in Shibuya Scramble, overlooking the famous Shibuya Crossing, this Share Lounge comes with lots of free amenities, snacks, books, and views.
• Daikanyama T-Site (Daikanyama Tsutaya Bookstore) — A great bookstore and cafe with a convenient central location. This large site has a wide range of facilities and is extremely quiet. Get in early though, as it’s very popular! This site is part of the popular Tsutaya bookstore chain, which has locations all over the country, and is commonly paired with Share Lounges.
• Tsutaya Bookstore Shimokitazawa — Shimokitazawa, or “shimokita” as locals call it, is one of Tokyo’s trendier neighborhoods where vintage shopping reigns supreme and fancy coffee shops pepper the streets. This Share Lounge includes a number of great amenities including snacks, drinks, power cables, books, etc.

Now you have some great starting suggestions of places where you can lock in and get your studying done. Perhaps try mixing it up and exploring your chosen city through its coffee culture or outdoor green spaces as a way to get settled in. Soon you’ll be the local — recommending the best spots to friends, family, classmates, and more!

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