8 Retro Cafes in the Akasaka area! Take a relaxing break while strolling around town

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Seiyogashi Shirotae is a popular pastry shop about a 3-minute walk from Akasaka-mitsuke Station, known for its wide variety of delicious cakes.

Cakes are sold on the 1st floor, while the 2nd floor, which has seating, has the feel of a retro cafe where you can relax and spend your time at ease.

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They offer so many kinds of cakes and baked sweets that it is hard to choose, and many of the items are said to have a refined, gentle sweetness.

The drinks you can order at the cafe include not only coffee but also a full tea menu. They also have seasonal teas, so you can enjoy flavors unique to the time of year.

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When visiting for the first time, you will definitely want to order their signature rare cheesecake (no-bake cheesecake). Its simple appearance leaves a strong impression.

It is said to have a rich, dense texture yet a light finish, and some say they could eat it endlessly.

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Kohia Arabica is a coffee specialty shop located in the basement of a building, a 3-minute walk from Akasaka-mitsuke Station.

The interior is filled with the warmth of wood, with classical music playing softly, giving it the feel of a retro cafe with a sense of history.

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The menu centers on coffee, with a wide range of options including blends, single origin, and variations.

The “Strong Blend” is said to have a good balance of bitterness and richness, with a fresh, clean finish. It seems they also offer a mild type of blend.

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To bring out the taste of the coffee even more, ordering sweets is a must.

The shop offers two kinds of cake. The orange cake is popular as a light and fluffy treat with both citrusy tartness and sweetness.

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Coffee Sakan Shu Akasaka Mitsuke Ten is a popular spot for coffee and sweets, and its location just a 1-minute walk from Akasaka-mitsuke Station is part of the appeal.

It is said to be a retro cafe with beautiful interiors, including ceiling paintings that show real attention to detail and sofas with a unified design.

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Of course, they offer coffee, along with a wide range of drinks including tea and floats.

They also have a great selection of sweets, including the mild tasting "Mont Blanc" and the moist, rich "gateau chocolat." The food menu is also extensive, so it is a good choice for lunch as well.

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For Breakfast, many people seem to enjoy the set menu with a drink, toast, and a boiled egg.

A nice point is that you can choose your favorite from 3 kinds of jam. The toast has a nice buttery aroma, and it is said to be soft inside and tasty.

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Located just a 1-minute walk from Exit 1 of Akasaka Station, Sumibi Baisen Coffee Bara is a coffee specialty shop known for its focus on sumibi baisen (charcoal roasting), and it is recommended for anyone who likes retro cafes where they can relax.

The shop has a calm atmosphere, and the rose decorations and beautifully arranged cups are said to be especially striking.

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The rich charcoal-roasted coffee brewed in a siphon is said to be highly aromatic, with deep body and a pleasantly bitter note spreading with every sip.

The appeal seems to be the wide lineup you would expect from a specialty shop, including blends, single-origin coffees, and arranged coffee drinks.

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“Dutch coffee” is said to be cold brew coffee with a nice aroma and a smooth mouthfeel.

They also have a full lineup of sweets that pair well with coffee, and the “apple pie,” packed with apples, is wrapped in cinnamon and a fragrant pie crust.

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Hoshino Coffee Akasaka Mitsuke Ten is a cafe chain where you can enjoy sweets and meal options along with freshly ground, hand-dripped coffee.

The wood-based interior has a calm and chic feel, making it a great fit for anyone looking for a retro-style cafe. It is also close to the station, so it is convenient for meeting up.

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It is said to be a popular place where you can enjoy delicious coffee made with Special beans from around the world and carefully direct-fire roasted.

For blends, you can choose from three different kinds with distinct character. "Hoshino Blend" is the shop's signature well-balanced main blend. It is said to be a classic strong style.

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They offer a wide range of light meals, full meals, and sweets, which makes it appealing that you can choose based on the occasion.

One of the most popular items is the "Kamayaki Souffle Pancake." It is served fresh from the oven while still soft and fluffy, and is enjoyed with syrup and butter. It also seems to pair very well with the slight bitterness of coffee.

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Kissashitsu Renoir Akasaka Mitsuke Ten, about a 1-minute walk from Akasaka-mitsuke Station, is a coffee chain with many restaurants mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

The classical and elegant interior is wrapped in a retro feel, creating a calm space where time seems to pass slowly.

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They say you can enjoy blended coffee with a mellow, deep flavor, brewed with nel drip (cloth filter) extraction.

Some say the carefully brewed coffee brings a luxurious break to the soul. They also offer menu items perfect for hot days, such as iced coffee and coffee floats.

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They also offer several kinds of sweets, so you will want to enjoy one with a coffee.

The photo shows the "Retro Purin (retro pudding)" topped with plenty of whipped cream. The pudding has a firm yet smooth texture, and it goes well with the rich caramel sauce that has a slight bitterness.

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Volontaire, located a 3-minute walk from Akasaka Station and a 5-minute walk from Akasaka-mitsuke Station, is a retro cafe that opened in Harajuku in 1977 and has a history of about 50 years.

A stunning number of records decorate the interior, and it is said to be a soothing place to unwind while enjoying pleasant jazz. It can be used as a cafe during the day and as a bar at night.

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The drink menu is extensive, centered on coffee and also including tea, nihoncha (Japanese tea), and masala chai.

The popular "Brazil Coffee" is said to have an elegant taste with a touch of acidity and a smooth bitterness. Reviews also said that being able to enjoy it in a beautifully designed cup is one of the reasons to come to this shop.

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It is a good pick not only for drinks but also when you are hungry, since they also offer sandwiches limited to 10 servings a day.

For sweets, they have fruit pound cake served with ice cream. It is perfect when you want a slightly sweet treat to go with your coffee.

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Just a 2-minute walk from Akasaka Station. This popular cafe is known for its wide selection of old-school drinks and light meals including toast.

Much like the exterior, the interior has a sense of history and seems to flow at an easy pace, making it perfect for people who love retro cafes.

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It seems they have a wide drink selection, including coffee, juice, and yogurt drinks.

For dessert, the parfaits are popular, with options like "Chocolate" and "Fruit" to choose from. The fruit they use is said to be surprisingly luxurious.

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When you feel a little hungry, the toast and sandwich menu is a good choice.

According to reviews, the unusual "tokusei nori toast (special seasoned seaweed toast)" is popular. The toast is spread with butter and soy sauce, then wrapped in nori (seaweed), giving it a flavor that suits the Japanese palate.