Breakfast is tricky. People might ask, "Who's eating breakfast?" but you never hear, "Did you eat dinner last night?" or "Do you usually eat lunch?" Some say you should eat three solid meals a day, including breakfast, while others believe you should rest your stomach by skipping it. I don't know what the right answer is. Since everyone's body and mind are different, I think the correct answer is "do whatever you like." But one thing is certain: breakfast, eaten slowly and with time to spare, is delicious.

I usually go to bed around 1:00 or 2:00 AM and wake up around 6:30 AM. At home, my routine for years has been to shower, eat some fruit, and drink Japanese tea before heading out. Around 8:00 AM, I typically start my work at a coffee shop, sipping on coffee or sometimes a smoothie. However, if I ate out the night before and ended up not eating many carbs, I start to feel hungry around this time. That's when I decide to have a second breakfast.

There are a few key points for me when it comes to coffee shops.
1. Smoking is allowed, or there's a proper smoking booth.
2. It's quiet. You can read newspapers, books, or manga.
3. The seating is spacious.
4. They serve food.

For those of us who grew up between the Showa and Heisei eras, cigarettes are an indispensable accessory in the coffee shop scene. It's undeniable that the first cigarette of the morning pairs perfectly with a strong cup of coffee. Mornings can be hectic, but the hours between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM offer a precious block of uninterrupted time to write manuscripts or proposals, free from the distractions of LINE, Slack, or phone calls. I want to spend that time leisurely, not rushed, in a coffee shop where they kindly seat solo customers at four-person tables, where locals chat over a smoke and read the newspaper, rather than a cafe where you have to fight for a counter seat with a power outlet and worry about where to put your bag because the next seat is too close. Of course, if I linger over breakfast, I only end up with about an hour for actual work.

And finally, the food. Some coffee shops that brew excellent coffee focus solely on coffee and offer only a few sweet pastries. But at a morning coffee shop, food is also important. Honestly, if I'd been drinking the night before, I'd love to have a hearty plate of Neapolitan spaghetti for breakfast, but such options aren't always available. So, I'd at least like to have some delicious toast that's crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

Old-fashioned Coffee Shop: Yuro Aris, Asakusa Branch - 2F, 1-29-3 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
The main branch is apparently in Akabane, but I use the Asakusa branch. I stop by when I take a day trip to northern Kanto or southern Tohoku and board the Tobu Line from Asakusa or an express train from Ueno. I checked, and it opens at 6:30 AM. A grilled fish set meal costs 500 yen (I don't know the current price, but that was the price a year or two ago). Of course, they also have toast, onigiri, and curry available in the morning. The seating is compact and there are no power outlets, so it might not be ideal for leisurely work, but they have a large selection of manga, making it perfect for a moment of relaxation and a power boost before a business trip.

Coffee Palace Edinburgh - 2F, Shinjuku M&E Building, 3-2-4 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
This is a 24-hour coffee shop in Shinjuku Sanchome, needless to say. For extended stays, you need to order something extra every two or three hours, but a friend of mine actually stayed there all day and worked, so the atmosphere is top-notch. In the morning, you can enjoy a generous portion of toast, eggs, salad, and delicious coffee brewed with a siphon. Its location, right near Isetan and just steps from the Shinjuku Sanchome station, is convenient for heading to morning appointments via the Marunouchi, Fukutoshin, or JR lines in any direction.

Meikyoku Coffee Edinburgh - B1F, Zakkkyo Building, 2-39-5 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Located in the basement of a mixed-use building just a short walk from Hongo Sanchome station. It's hard to tell if it's open or closed at first glance, but this coffee shop, founded in 1955, is open from 7:00 AM on Saturdays as well. Classical music plays, and while they have sports newspapers and various weekly magazines, they also display a wide range of other literature, allowing for a leisurely passage of time. A cup of coffee costs 300 yen, and the morning set is also in the 300 yen range, truly embodying the spirit of an old-fashioned coffee shop.

IJICHI Yasutake
Born in Tokyo in 1982. While attending Keio University, he was involved in planning and producing receptions and parties for major corporations at an event company. After transferring to a PR firm, he worked as a planner and resigned at the age of 30. With his representative, a friend since junior high school, he participated in the launch of Japan's first cold-pressed juice specialty store, "Sunshine Juice," and served as Vice President until September 2020. He currently supports corporate communications and branding for clients across a wide range of industries while continuing his urban explorations. His favorite foods are fugu (pufferfish) and sukiyaki. His favorite sports are baseball and horse racing. His favorite places are pure coffee shops and casual izakayas.
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