Cafes in Jimbocho

Jimbocho is famous for being the haven of new and secondhand books in Tokyo. If you are a bookworm and can read kanji without twitching, then Jimbocho is a place for you. However, if you are a mere traveler who has limited time in Tokyo, then this area might not be on top of your priority list. However, bookshops are not the only interesting thing in Jimbocho. It is also the home of several interesting cafes that are scattered around the area that would make the visit more worth it. Here are some of the cafes that you might want to check out when you visit the area.

Sabouru. This cafe is situated right outside Exit A7 of Jimbocho Station. It is difficult to miss before it would catch your attention right away with its detailed architecture outside. This place was used as a filming location for the movie Shitsurakuen (Lost Paradise), which was released in 1997 and was based on Junichi Watanabe's novel with the same title. Order their classic milk shake for Y500 and enjoy it as you chill and people watch as it is said that writers and actors usually frequent the place. If you are up for a bigger meal, you can transfer to Sabouru 2, which is right next the cafe, that serves Neapolital Spaghetti for Y650.

A Cafe called Sabuouru outside Jimbocho Station

Paper Back Cafe. If you want to sit and read while enjoying a cup of coffee, this cafe is highly advised. This cafe is in the same building as Toyodo Bookshop so you can shop for books then drink coffee after. The English books are situated in the second floor of the building, although the selection is not outstanding. They only have a few art and photography books. It is still worth checking out. The cafe also has a few seats on the counter facing the street, which is a nice place to people watch.

Paper Back Cafe is in the same building with Toyodo Bookshop

Big Boy. Jimbocho is also home to a few jazz cafes, Big Boy being one of those. You can find Big Boy a few shops away Sabouru, in a small alley right next to Exit A7 of Jimbocho Station. As you near the cafe, you can already here the melodious jazz playing inside as if inviting you to come in. You can get a cup of coffee for Y650 while listening to relaxing jazz. They were playing instrumental jazz when I came in. The wall behind the counter are lined with hundreds (or maybe thousands) of old vinyl records. The atmosphere is calm and relaxing. The old man, I suppose he's the owner of the cafe, if friendly and jolly. He can speak a little English and he's always enthusiastic when serving customers. See my full review of the place here: Jazz Bar in Jimbocho: Big Boy

Entrace to the jazz cafe Big Boy

Jazz Bar in Jimbocho: Big Boy

Jimbocho is known as the book town of Tokyo - home to several bookshops that sell both new and secondhand books. However, apart from that famous tag, Jimbocho is also home to a number of interesting cafes. Big Boy, a jazz cafe, is one of those.

Big Boy is found in a small alley right next Exit A7 of Jimbocho Station. As you walk along that alley, you can gradually hear the smooth jazz playing in the cafe, seducing you to come in and relax.


I ordered tea for Y650. The drink is not that special but the place is. It is a small place but a relaxing one. The owner of the cafe, an old man, is a very friendly and jolly man. When he served me my complimentary water, he jokingly said that it's white wine. I didn't get it right away. Realizing the silliness of his own joke, he laughed at himself. He also very friendly with the other customers. He would chat with them from time to time and ask them if they are okay. When he served my tea, he asked me where I came from and I told him that I am from the Philippines. He just smiled. He's running the place with his wife who is helping him serve drip coffee.

Tea time runs from 1:00pm and closes at 5:00pm. It opens again at 7:00 for its bar time. I suppose more people are coming in the evenings to relax and listen to jazz after a long day's work. When i came in the afternoon, there were only two other customers apart from me.

There are a hundreds (or maybe thousands) of old vinyl records lining the wall behind the counter and there are two large speakers on each side providing a smooth sound. There are also several records lining the windows for display. There are also some old CDs for sale for Y800. I didn`t get to look at them because the cafe was already closing that time so I had to leave immediately. 

The old man was all smiles when I paid my bill. I said thank you and he said, "see you next time!" I think there will surely be a next time. I will come back to this cafe, listen to jazz and watch the old man happily serve his customers.