If your apartment is small, your roommate is loud, or you just need a change of scene, finding a good place to work or study in Tokyo can feel surprisingly tricky at first. The good news: the city is full of options, from coffee chains with free wifi to quiet public libraries and private net-cafe booths open around the clock. Here is how to pick the right spot for what you need, and how to do it without ruffling feathers.
Your main options
- Cafe chains (Doutor, Tully's, Starbucks): Easy and everywhere. Most branches offer free wifi, and many have power outlets, though usually only at counter or window seats rather than every table. Great for an hour or two of focused work over a coffee.
- Coworking spaces: Many offer drop-in day passes (commonly in the range of roughly 1,000 to 3,000 yen) with fast wifi, reliable power, and meeting rooms. Best when you need to settle in for a full day. Check each space's official site for current drop-in pricing and hours.
- Public libraries: Quiet, free, and ideal for study. The Tokyo Metropolitan Central Library in Minato has around 900 seats and free wifi; materials are for on-site use only. Your local ward library is also worth checking.
- Net cafes / manga cafes (ネットカフェ / 漫画喫茶): Private or semi-private booths, free drink bars, and often showers. Many are open 24 hours, so they double as a place to ride out a missed last train. You pay by the hour or for a fixed overnight pack.
At a busy cafe, do not camp out for hours on a single drink, especially at peak times. Buy something, order again if you stay a while, and free up your table when it is crowded. Some Starbucks branches in Japan post polite time-limit notices during busy hours. When in doubt, a coworking space or library is the better fit for a long session.
Tips for a smooth session
- For wifi, look for the network sticker on the door or counter. Doutor, Tully's, and Starbucks each run their own free wifi that you join by agreeing to the terms in your browser. Sessions sometimes time out after about 60 minutes; just reconnect.
- Need a guaranteed outlet? Doutor's site lets you filter for stores with power outlets, and Tully's tends to have more outlet seats than most. For all-day power, a coworking space is more reliable.
- For deep, quiet focus, libraries are unbeatable, but note their fixed opening hours and that some seats may require a numbered ticket on busy days.
- Net cafes are a lifesaver after the last train. Bring ID (some require it to register), and look for chains advertising kagitsuki kanzen koshitsu (locked private rooms) if you want a real door and a lockable space.
- Carry a small power bank and headphones, and keep your laptop and bag with you when you step away, even briefly.
- Can I sleep overnight in a net cafe?
- Yes. Many net cafe and manga cafe chains are open 24 hours and offer night packs with a reclining or flat-mat booth, a free drink bar, and sometimes showers. They are a common, legal option when you miss the last train. Bring ID, as some locations require it to register.
- Is the wifi at cafes free, and do I need a password?
- At the big chains it is free and usually has no fixed password. You select the network (such as tullys_Wi-Fi, DOUTOR_FREE_Wi-Fi, or at_STARBUCKS_Wi2), open your browser, and agree to the terms to connect. Sessions can expire after about an hour, so just reconnect if you get cut off.
- Will I be asked to leave if I stay too long?
- It is rarely confrontational, but staying for hours on one small order at a packed cafe is considered rude. Order again if you linger, give up your table when seats are scarce, and choose a coworking space or library for genuinely long sessions.
