When you think of Shinjuku, you might think of this iconic city center as a place known for its landmarks and nightlife, but it is also a place not just for the average businessperson, but for students as well. Naturally, there are many coffee shops and cafés where students can meet to work on assignments or study for upcoming exams. These cafés are known as ‘study cafés’, and they appeal not only to students but also to remote workers and people who just want to grab a cup of coffee.
Where can you find study cafés in Shinjuku? What makes a café study-friendly, and how can you best enjoy a study café? We’ll look at why Shinjuku is a perfect place for study or work, what makes a café study-friendly, and offer recommendations on where to study below.
Why Shinjuku is a Great Place to Study and Telework
With easy access to the city center via public transport, Shinjuku can seem like an unlikely place for students due to its noise and congestion, but you might be surprised to learn that there are many top universities, such as Sophia University, and Japanese language schools scattered throughout Shinjuku Ward. There are many coffee shops and cafés near these institutions and Shinjuku Station.
For those studying Japanese, studying in Shinjuku can also be a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the language as well! You can read about our guide on how Shinjuku is one of the best places to study Japanese in Tokyo.
If you are interested in studying Japanese in Shinjuku, why not learn in a brand-new campus at Tokyo’s no. 1 Japanese language school, Coto Academy Shinjuku? Here, we offer beginner-friendly, flexible lessons that focus on conversational skills. Contact us below if you want to join our lessons!
What Makes a Good Study Cafe in Shinjuku?
There are many coffee shops and cafés in Shinjuku, but very few are great study cafés. To choose a study café, select a quiet space with ample table space and comfortable seating. Ideally, you’ll want to find a table with a built-in power outlet. You’ll also want to pick a space where there is fast, free Wi-Fi and good quality food and drinks.
1. Power outlets
The last thing you want to do while studying or working is for your battery to die when you least expect it. You want to make sure that your devices are fully charged at all times to ensure that you study or work for as long as you need, so it’s good if a cafe has built-in power outlets. You can also charge your phone if you need to, as well as whilst you’re studying.
2. Complimentary Wi-Fi
If you’re going to study or work for long periods of time, then you’re going to need to stay connected to the internet. A good study café should offer complimentary Wi-Fi so that you can submit online homework or assignments as soon as you’re done completing them. Especially if you’re studying Japanese, you might want to look up certain vocabulary or grammar, so you’ll need fast internet to look it up online.
3. Cozy, quiet atmosphere
The less background noise there is inside the café, the more likely you’re able to get some work done. Most small coffeeshops are usually quiet, which makes it perfect for students to study undisturbed. If a café is too loud or if there’s too much background noise, then it can be difficult to study or work.
4. You can stay there for a long time!
Even though you might be comfortable with studying or working in one place for long periods of time, it’s important to be considerate of the people around you, especially the owner of the coffee shop. If the owner has set a time limit on how long you can stay, you’ll need to respect said time limit and leave as soon as time is up. This is because there might be other customers waiting in line to grab a seat, either just to relax with a cup of coffee, to study, or to work. Even if there isn’t a set time limit, it’s best to leave as soon as you’re done studying or working so that others have a chance to do the same.
Best Study Cafes in Shinjuku
1. Caffice
With close access to JR Shinjuku Station, Caffice is an excellent study spot for students and remote workers. Located just five minutes from Shinjuku Station, this café is divided into different sections: a lounge for those who want to relax, and dedicated counter tables with built-in power outlets for those who want to study. The café also offers a variety of high-quality dishes and drinks, including matcha for the matcha fans!
| Location | 2F, 4-2-23 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022 Tokyo |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Outlet | Yes |
| Typical Spend | ¥1,000 – ¥2,000 |
| Time limit | 2 hours maximum |
2. Akha Ama Coffee Kagurazaka
Akha Ama Coffee is another excellent option for students looking for study cafes in Shinjuku. While this cafe might be lacking in power outlets or free Wi-Fi, this spot’s quiet and cozy atmosphere makes it perfect for students who want to study. The café is well known for selling Thai coffee, so there’s no shortage of good drinks whilst you’re studying there! If you’re looking to eat whilst studying, they sell pastries, sandwiches, and cakes.
| Location | 1-25 Akagimotomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162–0817 |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| Outlet | No |
| Typical Spend | ¥1,000–¥2,000 |
| Time limit | None |
3. Tully’s
If you live in Tokyo, this name is probably already familiar. Tully’s is a chain of coffee shops that provide a relaxing space for you to study or work. Power outlets are built into the tables, free Wi-Fi is offered, and the coffee and food (which includes a variety of cakes and sandwiches) are available. There are multiple chains in Shinjuku, but we recommend the Lumine Est branch because it’s close to JR Shinjuku Station.
| Location | Lumine Est Shinjuku B1, 3-38-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022 |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Outlet | Yes / Most tables |
| Typical Spend | ¥1,000 |
| Time limit | None |
4. Cozy Style COFFEE
This study café in Shinjuku might not be located in the city center, but its chill and cozy vibe makes it the ideal study spot. The owner is extremely passionate about coffee, so there’s no shortage of good coffee and delicious cakes, especially the tiramisu. The café’s second floor is specifically designated for those who want to study or work for long periods of time.
| Location | 3-10-3 Kamiochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 161-0034 |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Outlet | Yes / Most tables |
| Typical Spend | ¥1,000–¥2,000 |
| Time limit | None |
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5. Komeda’s Coffee
Komeda Coffee is another coffee shop chain with multiple locations throughout Japan. It’s a great choice for students because it offers complimentary Wi-Fi and power outlets, and the atmosphere is mostly quiet for uninterrupted study. While Komeda has many chain shops located in the Shinjuku area, we recommend studying at the Shinjuku–Sanchome branch because of its close proximity to JR Shinjuku Station and Metro Shinjuku–Sanchome Station.
| Location | 2F 京王新宿追分第二ビル, 3-1-16 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022 |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Outlet | Yes |
| Typical Spend | ¥1,000 |
| Time limit | None |
6. Hakadoru
This coworking space is perfect for both students and workers, as it has separate cubicles and rooms for those who might feel comfortable studying alone. There’s also a drink bar that serves coffee, tea, and other kinds of soft drinks as well.
| Location | 1F, 3-1-24 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022 |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Outlet | Yes / Most tables |
| Typical Spend | ¥225 (per 15 minutes)–¥3500 (1 day) |
| Time limit | 1 day |
7. Verve Coffee Roasters
This American coffee shop chain has several branches located in Tokyo and Kanagawa, but the Shinjuku branch is located inside the train station, making it a perfect choice for those who want to get some studying in before going home. Not only will their drinks, such as their signature Latte Valencia, keep you energized, but their waffles are delicious too!
| Location | 2F NEWoMan Shinjuku, Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0051 |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| Outlet | No |
| Typical Spend | ¥1,000–¥2,000 |
| Time limit | None |
8. All Seasons Coffee
Another café with a cozy atmosphere, All Seasons Coffee is famous for its delicious pudding, though they do have a lemon cake and tuna melt sandwich available. While the café might not seem like a study space, they have free Wi-Fi, which is perfect if you need to stay connected to do online assignments or remote work. There’s also a good selection of coffee, tea, and soft drinks as well.
| Location | 1F, 2-7-7 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022 |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Outlet | No |
| Typical Spend | ¥1,000–¥2,000 |
| Time limit | None |
9. coto cafe
Not affiliated with Coto Academy, but we recommend this café because of how quiet and cozy it is, which makes it perfect for uninterrupted study or work. Not only is their cafe latte top-notch, but they also have a variety of dishes and sweet treats for you to try! They also have free Wi-Fi just in case you need to submit any last-minute assignments.
| Location | Nakada Building 2F, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022 |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Outlet | No |
| Typical Spend | ¥1,000–¥3,000 |
| Time limit | None |
10. COVERT COFFEE
Although there might not be a lot of options in terms of food and drink, this coffee shop’s modern vibe makes it perfect for studying for long periods of time. You can select which coffee beans you want your coffee to be brewed in, while snacking on banana bread and scones. Free Wi-Fi is also available.
| Location | Musashino Building B1F, 3-27-10 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022 |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Outlet | No |
| Typical Spend | ¥1000–¥2000 |
| Time limit | None |
Tips Before You Go to a Study Cafe in Shinjuku
Before you go to any study café in Shinjuku, you want to make sure that you bring your devices (as well as your chargers if necessary) and study materials. You’ll also want to consider bringing some spare cash ,as some coffee shops might not accept credit cards or cashless payment options. If possible, you can bring noise-cancelling earphones or headphones to block out background noise.
It might also help for you to take a look at the café online before you go; when peak times are, what the overall atmosphere is like, and what type of drinks they serve there.
Conclusion: Study Cafés in Shinjuku Are Worth Visiting!
Finding a good study café in Shinjuku might seem impossible, but look hard enough, and you’ll see a variety of coffee shops and cafés that are perfect for studying or working.
Study Japanese in Shinjuku with Coto Academy
Want to study in Shinjuku before your visit? Coto Academy is opening its brand-new campus in the heart of Shinjuku, where we offer beginner-friendly courses focusing on practical conversation, all taught by native Japanese tutors.
Ready to start your Japanese language learning journey? Contact us to get a free consultation and Japanese level check!
FAQ
Do people study at cafés in Japan?
Yes! You’ll see not only students trying to study, but also people working remotely as well.
What are some study café etiquette rules?
Be mindful of others around you and don’t talk too loudly; they’re also trying to get some studying or work done. Before leaving, make sure you clean your table and bring your tray to the cleanup area.
Do I need to make a reservation?
You don’t need a reservation to study at a café, just find an empty seat when it’s available.
Can I study at a café without buying anything?
No. You need to buy at least something, whether it be food or drink. It doesn’t have to be expensive either, just buy something before sitting down to study or work.
What is the maximum time I can spend at a study café?
It depends on the location. Some cafés are relaxed about time limits and don’t set a time limit at all. Others impose time limits so that the next customer can get a table. Just be mindful of the rules of the café during your visit.