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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. Of course your school and your home are the most obvious places to study, but where do you go if you want a change of scenery? We’ve put together a list of our favorite study spots in Japan.
Cafes
If you live in a sizable city, chances are you’ll have a few cafe options to choose from if you’re looking for somewhere to study. There’s a good chance there will be free Wi-Fi, although power outlets are a different matter, as not all cafes offer the chance to charge your phone or laptop. Just make sure to order at least one item or more if you plan on staying for a longer time.
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.
Tokyo cafes
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.
- Daikanyama T-Site — 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.
- 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.
Osaka cafes
- Brooklyn Roasting Company — This cafe offers delicious environmentally-friendly coffee, plenty of space to study or work, power sockets, and free Wi-Fi. They are located in Namba, Shinsaibashi, and Kitahama.
- Lingua World Cafe — A casual cafe that’s also vegan-friendly, offering Western-style food. Quiet, offers free Wi-Fi, and a cozy atmosphere.
- Saturdays NYC — An American brand with a flagship store in Osaka, this cafe offers long tables and free Wi-Fi.
Fukuoka cafes
- Rec Coffee Yakuin — A well-known coffee shop that takes its coffee fairly seriously. This cafe is unique because it stays open until very late — the perfect setting for night owls.
- Manly Cafe — This cafe is inspired by the surf beaches of Manly, a suburb in Sydney, Australia. It’s quite popular yet the space is small, so we recommend visiting outside of the busiest times, particularly on weekend mornings.
- Fika Coffee — A quaint little shop with a cozy atmosphere. Snack on a handmade sweet treat as a reward for your hard work!
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 coffee has free refills 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. 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 pretty much access in the same way you’ve accessed the libraries in your home country. As well as larger central libraries, most prefectures will have several smaller public libraries. To withdraw books you’ll need to register, which means that you’ll need to be a resident in the area or work or 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.
One of Tokyo’s best libraries is the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Library. It’s exceptionally large and has a cafe on site if you need to top up your coffee intake.
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 that you can venture to for a more relaxed study environment.
Some of our top spots around the cities in Japan:
Tokyo
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.
Kyoto
Kamogawa River — Enjoy the sights of Kyoto during a relaxing study session along the banks of the Kamogawa River. While there might not be any Wi-Fi or power sockets, nothing beats the beautiful serenity of Kyoto and nature mingling together as one.
Osaka
Tennoji — Boasting a park, a zoo, and an art gallery, there’s a lot to do in Tennoji. With a bounty of open spots and places to sit, it’s the perfect place to practice your flashcards and people watch when you need a distraction.
Fukuoka
Momochi Seaside Park — This might seem like a bit of an odd choice, but this beautiful beach in Fukuoka is often surprisingly quiet. With the soft touch of sand underfoot and the sea lapping against the shore, why not take a blanket down there and study at the seaside for the day?
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 Japan, with some Share Lounges in iconic places like Shibuya, overlooking the famous Shibuya Crossing.
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 for you to settle in. Soon you’ll be the local, recommending the best spots to friends, family, classmates, and more!
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