Book Lab Tokyo

This combined concept bookstore and cafe-bar, all gently pared-down minimalism and studious yet relaxed atmosphere, makes for a pleasingly stark contrast with the din and clamour of its surrounds in Shibuya’s Dogenzaka neighbourhood. Books stocked tend towards scholarly and business-focused titles, and are in Japanese language, but Book Lab Tokyo nonetheless makes a great spot for non-Japanese speakers/readers to get some visual inspiration from some of the image-packed travel magazines also carried, while sitting down enjoying hand-drip coffee or, in the evening, craft beer and wine. Book Lab Tokyo can also serve as an impromptu workspace for digital nomads (devices can be recharged here, and there’s free wi-fi), and is open from 7am for early risers.