Meguro
Discover 3 specialty coffee shops in Meguro and Nakameguro, from Meguro River roasteries to an independent roaster near Meguro Station. Compare pour-over, espresso, and retail beans across a compact coffee route on an interactive map.
The Meguro and Nakameguro area has 3 specialty coffee shops centered along the Meguro River. From Japan's only Starbucks Reserve Roastery to an independent self-roasting café, all three sell beans — great for coffee lovers looking to take something home.
Meguro and Nakameguro are ideal if you want a compact specialty coffee route with three very different shop styles. This area combines the slower rhythm of the Meguro River with some of Tokyo’s best-known roasting names, and the featured shops are close enough that you can compare them in a single half-day walk. Even with only 3 shops, the mix is broad: a major destination roastery, a design-forward riverside stop, and an independent roaster closer to Meguro Station.
Around Aobadai and the river, STARBUCKS RESERVE ROASTERY TOKYO and SCHOOL BUS COFFEE STOP NAKAMEGURO are the most natural first stops. The roastery is the large-format anchor of the area, with beans, brewed coffee, and espresso all in one place, while SCHOOL BUS COFFEE STOP NAKAMEGURO gives you a smaller, more local-feeling coffee stop in a design-led setting near the river. Both work well if you are already walking through Nakameguro or following the river north to south.
Closer to Meguro Station, Switch Coffee Tokyo represents the area’s independent roasting side. It is especially well known for hand drip, espresso, and retail beans, making it a strong stop if you want to buy coffee for home as well as drink on site. All 3 featured shops sell beans and support both pour-over and espresso, so Meguro works especially well for visitors who want to compare different shop scales and coffee styles without leaving one neighborhood.
Getting here: start from Nakameguro Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line or Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, or from Meguro Station on the JR Yamanote Line and Tokyu Meguro Line. A route that follows the Meguro River before finishing near Meguro Station gives the cleanest walk between the three shops.
Coffee Shops
"Switch Coffee Tokyo," which first opened its doors in Meguro in 2013, is a highly skilled coffee roaster with locations in Meguro, Yoyogi-Hachiman, and Nihonbashi. Driven by the simple desire to "deliver delicious coffee from Meguro, Tokyo," the owner personally sources beans from origins around the world and pursues roasting techniques that maximize the potential of each bean. Its signature style is a coffee stand where you can casually enjoy the highest quality specialty coffee as part of your everyday life. In addition to serving coffee at its physical stores, they also offer an extensive selection of coffee beans through their online shop, allowing you to savor the fresh taste of professionally selected and roasted beans at home anywhere in Japan. It is a must-visit shop for coffee lovers.
SCHOOL BUS COFFEE STOP NAKAMEGURO, the first Tokyo store of a renovation company that seamlessly connects a cafe and a design office, has opened at the foot of Meguro Bridge, where the Meguro River, one of Tokyo's most famous cherry blossom viewing spots, intersects with Yamate-dori Avenue. The inorganic, monotone-based facade combines vintage and mid-century elements with street motifs reminiscent of NY pop art. It offers a "next-level space" woven from materials and colors, setting it apart from previous stores. Inside, there are meeting booths for renovation consultations and a building material exhibition corner. Customers can casually ponder their ideal home while enjoying authentic espresso and lattes. It is a new type of lifestyle hub where you can simultaneously absorb creative inspiration and enjoy comfortable relaxation, blending into the artistic and fashion-forward atmosphere characteristic of Nakameguro.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best coffee shops in Nakameguro?
- STARBUCKS RESERVE® ROASTERY TOKYO and SCHOOL BUS COFFEE STOP NAKAMEGURO are both within walking distance of Nakameguro Station.
- Are there cafes along the Meguro River?
- Yes — STARBUCKS RESERVE® ROASTERY TOKYO and SCHOOL BUS COFFEE STOP NAKAMEGURO sit right along the Meguro River.
- Where can I buy coffee beans in Meguro?
- All 3 shops sell beans: Switch Coffee Tokyo, STARBUCKS RESERVE® ROASTERY TOKYO, and SCHOOL BUS COFFEE STOP NAKAMEGURO.
- Where is STARBUCKS RESERVE® ROASTERY TOKYO?
- It's about a 5-minute walk from Nakameguro Station, right along the Meguro River. It's Japan's only Starbucks Reserve Roastery, where you can watch beans being roasted on-site.