Tokyo Crawl

Dreams do come true, and MIA MIA is proof. It's been Vaughan and his wife's plan to open up their own coffee shop for more than 10 years. In Tokyo, there are not many cafes open from early till late. But at MIA MIA, you can start your morning off with a hand-crafted espresso, and finish the day off with a boozy cocktail. Fused with the history of Australia and its modern coffee culture, MIA MIA is not just run by coffee lovers but also storytellers. Bringing the community together through their journey. 

Charcoal-roasted coffee is hand-dripped here at Tokyo’s most iconic kissaten. They pride themselves on attention to detail, serving each customer in their own exquisite cup among the hundreds on display specially chosen based on your personality and appearance. Sit at the long wooden counter while the masters are at work, and pair your coffee with homemade chiffon cake, elegantly iced. The majestic ikebana flower display reaching up to the ceiling changes every week. Up for something new? Order the aged beans and watch a beautiful 15-minute drip take place before your eyes.

Surround yourself with an oasis of nature in the middle of Roppongi at Blue Bottle. They lure their customers in with the smell of high level coffee and the warmth of the linden wood interior, inspired by Japanese Kissaten style. They are nestled at the back of a building, so you feel a sense of accomplishment, as if you found yourself a hidden treasure. Pair your coffee with their infamous sandwiches made of six vegetables, representing Roppongi's numerical origins. Explore your new coffee spot and enjoy your getaway. 

Watch your head as you enter this new boutique coffee bean shop set up by Tokyo cult favorite Omotesando Koffee. Owner Kunitomo-san and his team of baristas have traveled the world to assemble a diverse line-up of beans for you to try and purchase. They take Japanese omotenashi (hospitality) to new heights by getting to know your preferences. They even keep a medical-like record of your purchase history and will expand your coffee horizons by recommending you something new. Come back at 6 p.m. on weeknights for free workshop.

The Japanese Kissaten is the equivalent to an American diner. Kissatens make you stand back in awe at their vintage romanticism, think rich coffee in elegant coffee cups complemented by classical music or jazz played softly on LP records. At Lawn, this is exactly what you will experience, there are no laptops in sight, just coffee in one hand, and their infamous Tamago sandwich that melts in your mouth in the other. With this perfect combination, you feel as though you're in a Murakami novel. 

There’s not much signage at all, and most people would hesitate, but do yourself a favour and open that door. On the other side await twin specialities: delicious drip coffee and dark chocolate. Kabuki, holding less than 10 customers at any time, is a serene experience. Inside is dimly lit, with natural light shining through on your coffee being made with elegance and attention to detail. Better to go alone or in a small group. The focus is on quality, not speed. It’s most certainly unlike anywhere else.