On my previous ventures in Akihabara, I noticed a lack of specialty coffee places. Sure, there are many chain stores and some kissaten-style spots, but not many third-wave coffee shops offering more than one type of coffee. Perched on an unassuming corner in a side street, away from the hustle and bustle of the busy part of Electric Town, just north of Akihabara Station, you’ll find SHI-TEN Coffee.
SHI-TEN is a tiny cafe with about 4-5 counter stools and 2 two-top tables. The large windows prevent it from feeling cramped, while the warm wood tones and sparse but artful decorations create a cozy and engaging atmosphere. SHI-TEN is a small satellite shop of a larger cafe called BRÜKE (https://odaibrucke.org/), but I have yet to visit their main store in Kodai, Adachi.
The two friendly baristas at SHI-TEN provide excellent service and make exceptional coffee. They offer at least five different types of coffee as pour-over, along with expertly crafted espresso drinks. Often, cafes excel at either pour-over or espresso, but SHI-TEN serves both with a high level of attention to detail and flavor.
I tried a Colombian Geisha, which was very reasonably priced. It was their lightest roast available, and they managed to extract the delicate flavors without making it taste grassy—no easy feat.
I also sampled their Magic and Cortado drinks, which were impressively distinct in flavor. Lesser cafes often produce these two drinks with similar tastes, but SHI-TEN delivered the pure flavor of a ristretto in their Magic and the complexity of a double shot of espresso in their Cortado. Cute tulip and heart latte art adorned the two milk-based drinks, proving that they had the skill to steam their milk properly. Both drinks were served at optimal temperatures for milk-based drinks, and they offer non-dairy options if you prefer.
They also offer tea drinks if coffee isn’t your thing. Decaffeinated coffee is available too, but I didn’t sample either on this particular trip. In hindsight, after sampling five different coffees on the same visit, I probably should have been drinking decaf by the end.
Whether you’re looking for an espresso treat or a comforting pour-over, SHI-TEN is highly recommended. If you’re in the area and looking for coffee, I suggest spending some time here for a quick break or just stopping by to get a coffee to go. If you’re in the area but are looking for more snack options, but still want great coffee, consider Kielo Coffee just a few minutes away on foot.
You can find them on Google Maps, and if you’re interested in learning more about them, you can follow SHI-TEN Coffee on Instagram. If you liked what you read, please consider following me, @coffeeRyokou, on Instagram.
