Best Study Spots and Workspaces in Tokyo
Tokyo is a city full of energy: bustling streets, busy trains, and endless things to do. But when you need to focus, finding the right place to study or work can make all the difference. No matter if you’re an intern preparing for an interview, a student catching up on assignments, or a remote worker balancing projects, Tokyo has plenty of places where you can settle in and be productive.
From quiet public libraries to cozy cafés and professional coworking spaces, each type of spot offers a different atmosphere and set of advantages. This post gives you an overview of the main options so you can decide which environment suits your needs best!
Libraries: Quiet and Focused Spaces
If you work best in silence, libraries are one of the most reliable places in Tokyo to study or get tasks done. They offer environments with dedicated desks, large collections of resources, and a calm atmosphere to help you focus.
Many have long opening hours, free Wi-Fi, and even access to printing services. Libraries often attract students, researchers, and professionals, so you’ll be surrounded by people who are there to concentrate, perfect if you find that kind of environment motivating!
1. Tokyo Metropolitan Library (Minato) – One of the largest in the city, spread over multiple floors with around 900 seats and various study areas. Its central location makes it convenient for both residents and visitors, and it also offers free Wi-Fi and a cafeteria on the top floor with views of Tokyo Tower.
2. National Diet Library (Chiyoda) – The largest library in Japan, especially popular with students and researchers who need access to specialized resources. Registration is required for full access (including to the closed stacks), but it’s free to register, and day passes are also available.
3. Hibiya Library & Museum (Chiyoda) – A beautiful library located right near Hibiya Park, known for its calm ambiance and unique triangle-shaped design. It offers free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and comfortable seating for reading or laptop work, plus an on-site café and restaurant for when you need a break.
4. Hon no Mori “Book Forest” Library (Chūō) - A newly opened (2022) public library that’s an architectural gem. It spans multiple floors and even includes a small museum and a café on the first floor.
5. Local ward libraries – Each Tokyo ward operates its own library system, offering free access to residents and visitors. They may not be as large, but they’re convenient, often less crowded, and perfect for regular study sessions.
Libraries are best if you want a space where you can stay focused for long periods without distractions. Just keep in mind that some may require registration or library cards, so it’s always good to check the rules in advance.
Cafés: Relaxed Atmosphere with Energy
If you prefer a more casual setting, Tokyo’s many cafés are a great choice for studying or remote work. They offer a balance of comfort and productivity; you get Wi-Fi, a steady flow of coffee, and usually a lively but not distracting background hum. Cafés are especially good if you like to work in shorter bursts or need a change of scenery from quieter places like libraries.
1. TOKI CAFE (Shinjuku) – Designed specifically with students and remote workers in mind, this café has two distinct floors: the first is a casual space (good for quiet chatting or a quick meeting), while the second is a no-talking study zone. Every seat has power outlets, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. Instead of time limits, you pay a flat fee for time blocks or day use, which includes unlimited drinks so you can stay as long as you need without feeling pressured to leave.
2. Mori no Tosyoshitsu “Forest Library” (Shibuya) – A hidden gem just a minute from busy Shibuya Crossing: step inside and you’ll find a quiet, cozy room lined with thousands of books that customers can read freely. Each seat comes with an outlet and reliable Wi-Fi, making it ideal for studying or working. There’s a basic entrance fee that includes unlimited soft drinks, tea, and coffee, and for an extra fee you can also order food inspired by famous books.
3. FabCafe Tokyo (Shibuya) – A trendy spot with a creative atmosphere, FabCafe doubles as a makerspace, equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, and digital fabrication tools alongside great coffee. It’s especially popular with designers, students, and digital nomads. Free Wi-Fi and outlets are available, and there’s no strict time limit as long as you order something now and then.
4. Coffee Bar Sajiki (Taitō) – Tucked away through a hotel lobby in one of Asakusa’s shopping arcades, this retro-style café feels like a true hidden oasis. With cool-toned interiors, free Wi-Fi, and outlets, it’s a quiet escape from the busy streets outside, perfect for a concentrated study session.
5. Connel Coffee (Minato) – Located inside the iconic Tange-designed Sogetsu Kaikan, known for its modernist architecture. The café itself has a sleek, mid-century modern interior with tall windows overlooking greenery outside. Popular with local professionals on their breaks, it has a subtle office-like feel that makes it ideal if you want a corporate vibe without actually being in an office. Free Wi-Fi is also available.
Cafés are perfect if you like having a comfortable seat, a drink by your side, and a bit of city life around you while you work. Just keep in mind that some places limit time during peak hours, so it’s best to choose spots that are known to be study- or work-friendly!
Coworking Spaces: Professional and Resourceful
When you need more focus than a café but less commitment than an office, coworking spaces are the ideal middle ground. They offer fast Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and extras like meeting rooms, printers, and free drinks. With hourly or daily passes, you get an office-like environment without contracts, plus the chance to meet other students, freelancers, and professionals.
1. HAKADORU Shinjuku Sanchōme (Shinjuku) – A hybrid between a café and a coworking space just steps from Shinjuku Station. Inside you’ll find clean wooden interiors and a mix of workspaces. Every seat has power outlets and high-speed Wi-Fi. There are also soundproof booths and meeting rooms available, so you can take Zoom calls or have meetings with privacy without disturbing others. You pay-as-you-go, and it includes a self-serve drinks bar. “Hakadoru” means “make progress,” and you really will in this well-equipped space!
2. Tsutaya Bookstore Marunouchi Share Lounge (Chiyoda) – A spacious, upscale coworking lounge attached to a Tsutaya bookstore, offering a variety of seating styles in an open, stylish environment. Huge windows overlook the red-brick Tokyo Station building, providing an inspiring view while you work. Every seat has a power outlet and high-speed Wi-Fi. You pay by the hour, and the entry fee includes unlimited self-serve drinks and snacks. The modern interiors are lined with bookshelves, creating a calm yet stylish atmosphere.
3. Basis Point (Multiple locations) – A Tokyo-based coworking chain that focuses on flexibility, Basis Point offers hourly, daily, and monthly pricing. Spaces are bright and practical, with reliable internet, free drinks, and a mix of open desks and private booths. Its locations are spread across central Tokyo, making it easy to find one close to you.
4. Creative Lounge MOV (Shibuya) – Located on the 8th floor of Shibuya Hikarie, MOV is a stylish coworking lounge with a bright, modern interior. Seating options range from communal tables and counter seats to plush couches and semi-private “phone booths,” all with outlets and fast Wi-Fi. A self-service drink bar offers unlimited specialty coffee, and day-use passes make it easy to drop in without a membership. Beyond work, MOV has a strong community feel, hosting regular events like networking parties.
5. Coin Space (Multiple locations) – Coin Space is a chain of casual coworking spots designed for quick, no-fuss use. With branches across Tokyo, it offers pay-by-the-minute or daily passes, shared tables and counter seats, and fast Wi-Fi and outlets. Food and drink are BYO, though some locations provide vending machines or free drink stations. Tickets are valid all day, so you can step out for a break and re-enter freely during your paid time.
6. Blink Community (Roppongi) – Tucked in a quiet corner of Roppongi, Blink is an upscale international coworking hub that mixes professional facilities with a social vibe. Its five floors include hot desks, private offices, phone booths, and meeting rooms, plus an on-site café serving coffee, pastries, and meals; a shared kitchen is also available.
True to its name, Blink Community shines in bringing people together with frequent events and workshops, from startup pitch nights to film screenings, making it a favorite among freelancers, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads.
Alternative Spots: Beyond the Usual Choices
Not every study or work session has to take place at a desk in a productivity-focused environment. Tokyo also has plenty of alternative spots where you can settle in with a book or laptop, each offering a refreshing change of pace when you want something different from your usual routine.
1. Parks and Green Spaces – On a sunny day, or even a cloudy one, parks in Tokyo can be great places to focus while enjoying fresh air. Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park in Hiroo offers shaded paths, benches, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Library right inside, so you can easily switch between indoor and outdoor study.
The Institute for Nature Study (Meguro) feels like a hidden forest in the city, with quiet corners perfect for reading or note-taking. For more open space, Kinuta Park in Setagaya has wide lawns where you can stretch out with a laptop or book. Unlike the more crowded Yoyogi or Shinjuku Gyoen, these lesser-known parks give you a calmer side of Tokyo.
2. Museums with Lounges – Some museums double as peaceful study havens. The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno has the free Sato Keitaro Memorial Lounge with Nordic-style tables, chairs and couches open to the public. The National Art Center Tokyo also has a variety of benches, couches, and chairs, designed by internationally renowned furniture designers, where you can pause to read or work in a creative setting.
3. Bookstores with Seating Areas – Large bookstores such as Tsutaya Daikanyama include seating areas where you can browse, read, or work for a while. These spaces combine the energy of a retail environment with the calm of a library, often with an attached café that makes it easy to stay longer.
4. 24-Hour Internet Cafés (Manga Kissa) – While often linked with gaming and comics, some internet cafés also provide private cubicles equipped with outlets, Wi-Fi, and free drink bars. They’re open all night, making them a practical fallback if you need a late study session or a place to finish work after hours!
While these spots don’t offer the full amenities of coworking spaces, libraries, or cafés, they’re excellent for low-pressure, informal work sessions, especially if you’re just reviewing materials, writing, or doing light laptop tasks.
Finding Your Own Space in Tokyo
Tokyo offers no shortage of places to study and work. Each setting comes with its own strengths, so the best choice depends on your mood, your task, and how much structure you need that day.
Exploring different spots can also keep your routine fresh. You might find that a library helps you power through research, while a café sparks creativity, or that a coworking lounge motivates you with a more professional atmosphere. Even alternative places like bookstores or museums can surprise you with how productive they feel.
The key is discovering a mix of environments that fit your style, and with a little trial and error, you’ll build your own map of go-to study and work spots across Tokyo!
🧑💻 Ready to Find Your Spot in Tokyo?
Tokyo has a study and work space for every style, you just need to try them out for yourself! If you’re planning to come to Japan as an intern, our program can help you find your internship in Japan while you explore the city’s many study and work environments. Join our program and start your journey. Or if you’d like a bit more guidance first, feel free to reach out to us!
