ヨネイチ Yoneichi

District

Bunkyo, Sengoku
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Written by Chay Canceran

car at cafe yoneichi tokyo

Aside from the fact that there’s a Ferrari on display at storefront, the smell of great coffee and the eye-catching exterior of this cafe make it so unmissable that it stands out in this side of a quiet neighborhood in 4-Chome, Sengoku.

Location

Bunkyo City is one of the more off-beat paths to visit if you ever find yourself in Tokyo. The one major thing it’s known for is Tokyo Dome, the popular venue for concerts and big sports events in Japan, but what people don’t know about it is that hidden in its outskirts are hip and interesting cafes worth hopping into for a quick cup of coffee.

Interior of Cafe Yoneichi
A teapot and coffee supplies at cafe yoenichi
A teapot just casually boiling in the middle of the cafe. The steam coming out of it is aromatic and simply relaxing.

Interior

YONEICHI is a fusion of urban minimalistic art and western interior. A hodge podge of art, coffee, and people – both locals and travellers, transcendent would be the place’s on-point description. 

When you ask for the Drip of the Day, the owner would ask you which type of bean you want. On that particular day, his recommendation was the cafe’s Ethiopia. While Ethiopia is a particularly fruity type of coffee, the one featured in the cafe is light, simple, and not sour.

The Experience

Ethiopia Drip of the Day, 450 JPY. Simple, light, and smooth.

When asked about the story behind the Ferrari parked outside, the owner simply says, “I’d love to still drive around in it but its condition is not that good so now I just brag about it and I put it there”, and then laughs.

YONEICHI, open from 11AM to 7PM everyday except Mondays, is a taste of the Shimokitazawa art and coffee scene without having to brave the crowds. It’s a great place to just chill and read a book, or enjoy an afternoon cup in between your itinerary.