Such a pleasant surprise! I was looking for a place to eat after walking around Tokyo Tower. I almost didn’t go in since there was no price menu outside LOL, but once inside it felt instantly cozy. The master was super friendly, chatting about his books and recipes, and his two assistants added to the charm. It’s a quaint little spot that works whether you’re solo or with friends. Definitely worth a visit! 🌸🗼🍛

+3

Such a cozy, nostalgic hidden gem near Tokyo Tower! Stepping inside feels like taking a step back in time. The dinner and dessert were absolutely delicious, and the warm, local vibe is amazing. The sweetest lady greeted me, and when she noticed my coffee was running low while I was eating my dessert, she brought a refill. It was the first time this has ever happened to me, and the hospitality was so thoughtful. I can't wait to bring my friends and family here next time I'm in Japan. Highly recommend it!

I visited YokohamaYa, a truly special old-school café that represents the real Japan. The owner is 73 years old and has been running this shop for 43 years. Remarkably, he started learning English at age 70 and has been self-studying and practicing with customers for the past three years. His energy, curiosity, and openness are genuinely impressive. He has lived through the Japanese bubble economy, the long stagnation, and now the current rebound. He recently started Instagram and continues to adapt while preserving the soul of the place. The food is outstanding. He makes Yokohama-style hayashi rice using rice sourced from his hometown. The apple pie is homemade daily, using firm apples sourced from Aomori or Akita, which gives it a distinct texture and depth. His coffee blend is also very well known and excellent. One of the most unique aspects is his lifelong Q&A practice with customers. Over 43 years, he has answered more than 10,000 questions about relationships, love, work, and life—recorded by hand on paper. He answers in person or via his YouTube channel and has even published a book compiling these questions and answers. It is rare and refreshing to meet a Japanese café owner who openly discusses deep topics such as the meaning of life with sincerity and experience. This is a warm, thoughtful, authentic place run by a real craftsman of hospitality. Tourists looking for the real Japan should come here instead of chasing shallow social-media trends. Highly recommended.

+3

Found this hidden gem while on the way to Tokyo Tower. It’s located in the basement of the building, with a warm, retro interior filled with dark wood. The owner is a 72-year-old Japanese gentleman, speaks fluent English and makes everyone feel welcome. The coffee and tea here are excellent, and I absolutely loved the cheesecake and apple tart. They weren’t too sweet—just right for someone who doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth like me. A perfect spot to relax and enjoy a quiet moment in the city. I found out from the owner’s Instagram, @yokohamaya_master, that he’s also the author of a book titled “Café Yokohamaya Master’s 100 Questions, 100 Answers.” It covers themes of love, work, life, human relationships, and family—reflecting the warmth and wisdom you can feel in his café.

+3

I was on my way to Tokyo Tower and found this cafe by chnace in the basement of a building just around the corner. The cafe owner was very nice and made me a really delicious cup of coffee (rich in flavour)! For lunch, he was serving today's special which was Hayashi Rice - also very delicious! The interior has a lot of wooden furniture and is kept in darker tones. What I also noticed was that no cup was the same, so each cup was unique. I will definitely go back there when I visit Tokyo!

+3