Last Updated on June 13, 2026
The other day, I was looking for a bookstore near Tokyo Station with a good selection of international magazines. To my delight, I found not only interesting books but also a cozy cafe attached to the bookstore.
In this article, I’ll introduce two bookstore cafes near Tokyo Station that are perfect for reading, relaxing, and enjoying a quiet break.
- Cafe 1 — A Bookstore Cafe Overlooking Tokyo Station and the Plaza
- Cafe 2 — A Bookstore Cafe with Views of Passing Trains
What you’ll find in this guide:
- Two unique bookstore cafés within walking distance of Tokyo Station
- The best spot for Tokyo Station views and the best spot for train watching
- English books, international magazines, stationery, and lifestyle goods
- Food and drink recommendations, including Maruzen’s famous Hayashi rice
- Tips on exploring Marunouchi without leaving the comfort of connected indoor walkways
Cafe 1 — TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Marunouchi
A Bookstore Cafe Overlooking Tokyo Station and the Plaza
TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Marunouchi is located on the 4th floor of the Marunouchi Building, right by Tokyo Station, and it features a Starbucks inside.
I was planning to grab the book I was looking for and head straight to the cafe, but I arrived a bit before 11:00 AM—only to find the bookstore wasn’t open yet.
Cafe Seating
Since I had heard the view was absolutely beautiful, I decided to head in and secure a good seat first.
The large windows offered a breathtaking, panoramic view of the iconic red-brick Tokyo Station right across the street, along with the beautiful plaza stretching out in front of it.
Along the windows, there were several small table sets perfect for solo guests, while further inside, cozy sofa seating was available for groups. The cafe itself was quite spacious with plenty of seats to choose from. Power outlets were not available at the seats.
Tokyo Station Plaza:
A few years ago, this area went through a major renewal. They removed the busy traffic lanes and transformed it into a spacious, tree-lined plaza that perfectly complements the historic station building.
The view feels bright and inviting, with Tokyo Station in the foreground. In the background, modern buildings like the Bulgari Hotel stand tall against the blue sky, making this cafe the absolute perfect spot to take it all in.
My Order
I ordered a chiffon cake ¥446 (approx. $2.8 / €2.4) along with a iced drip coffee ¥405 (approx. $2.5 / €2.2).
A unique characteristic of Japanese chiffon cake is its pillow-soft, silk-like texture. It is incredibly light and usually comes beautifully covered in a generous layer of fresh whipped cream. Although it looked a bit large by Japanese standards, this wonderfully light and fluffy cake was absolutely perfect for a mid-morning treat.
They also had cold brew coffee on the menu, but I personally prefer iced drip coffee, so I chose that instead. It was one of those perfect moments—enjoying a sweet cake with a refreshing iced coffee in a bright, sunny seat.
Starbucks One More Coffee:
Starbucks offers a “One More Coffee” program, allowing you to get a second brewed coffee on the same day at almost half price by showing your receipt. This program is mainly available in Japan and may differ from Starbucks offers in other countries.
What’s on the Shelves
Since the sun was high up but not shining in too brightly, I was able to spend a wonderful, relaxing time soaking in the bright and beautiful view. After a thoroughly comfortable break, I decided it was finally time to go explore the bookstore.
The bookstore section mainly featured travel guides, Japanese magazines, and children’s books, alongside a lovely selection of Japanese lifestyle goods. While I was quite charmed by all the wonderful items, I unfortunately couldn’t find the international fashion magazines I was searching for.
I found out later that this store actually extends down to the 3rd floor, which holds even more books. Completely missing that at the time, I left the store and headed off to another bookstore.
SHARE LOUNGE:
There is a premium paid space called the “SHARE LOUNGE.” For an hourly fee, you can relax in a stylish, beautifully designed interior with guaranteed high-speed Wi-Fi and power outlets—all while taking in the same stunning view of Tokyo Station with complimentary drinks and snacks.
Location: The Marunouchi Building
The Marunouchi Building faces Marunouchi Naka-dori, a famously beautiful street.
Inside, its spacious atrium often hosts various seasonal events. Although no events were scheduled on the day of my visit, the vast windows offered a breathtaking, panoramic view of the fresh, vibrant spring greenery just outside.
Looking inside the building, the spacious open-ceiling design fills the area with bright sunshine, offering a perfect blend of modern style and cozy warmth.
It’s a fantastic place to spend time, as it houses not only the bookstore but also numerous boutiques for clothing, beautiful sundries, and dining options. Right next door sits the Shin-Marunouchi Building, which is the newer of the two and features a more chic, sophisticated interior.
You can also read about my previous interior decor finds from Marunouchi here.
Cafe 2 — Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store
A Bookstore Cafe with Views of Passing Trains
Since it looked a bit hot outside, I headed down to the basement of the Marunouchi Building and took the underground walkway to Marunouchi OAZO. Inside, I found the Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store.
Travel Tip: Underground Walkways around Tokyo Station
Around Tokyo Station, an extensive underground network connects major buildings like Marunouchi Building and Oazo, so you can easily walk between them without going outside. It’s especially useful on rainy or very hot days.
Known as a historic landmark for book lovers in Japan, Maruzen is celebrated not just for its endless shelves of literature, but also for its premium stationery and gifts. Its Marunouchi flagship store is exceptionally foreigner-friendly, with an entire floor dedicated to English books.
What’s on the Shelves
Stepping onto the 4th floor, I found myself surrounded entirely by foreign-language books. Here and there, special pop-up corners featured not only literature but also charming lifestyle goods from around the world. It felt as if I had stepped into a tiny souvenir shop somewhere in the world, giving me the wonderful feeling of going on a mini-vacation.
Alongside these, there was delightful merchandise inspired by globally beloved stories. Each corner felt like a mini exhibition, dedicated entirely to the mood and setting of the books. The attention to detail in creating these immersive spaces is something truly special about shopping here.
When I reached the section for international fashion and home decor magazines, I scanned the shelves from top to bottom, completely absorbed in choosing one from the excellent selection.
Cafe Seating
Since there was also a cafe on the same floor, I decided to stop by and have some lunch.
The window area was arranged with single-seater tables, offering a wonderful view through the large glass panes. Unlike the Starbucks I had visited earlier, I couldn’t see the Tokyo Station building from here, but I had a clear, fascinating view of the many train platforms below.
In addition to local trains like the Yamanote Line, I could even catch glimpses of the Shinkansen (bullet trains) gliding by.
A green Hayabusa bullet train glided into the station, and I kept an eye out for the red Komachi Shinkansen from Akita, which is often coupled with it. But look at that—it was linked to a striking purple and orange train instead. It was actually the Tsubasa Shinkansen from Yamagata.
You can also read my article about the Hayabusa and Komachi here.
My Order
As someone who loves traveling, I watched the bullet trains head off to distant destinations while ordering their signature pork Hayashi rice ¥1,480 (approx. $9.2 / €8.0).
The dish traces back to Maruzen’s founder, Yuteki Hayashi, who is said to have served Western-style stews to his friends during the early Meiji era, when such dishes were still a novelty in Japan. This tradition later inspired the café’s signature menu item. Since it is one of Maruzen’s signature dishes, I had always wanted to try it.
The sauce was a rich concentration of tomato-like sweetness, tanginess, and deep savory meat flavors. Enjoying it alongside the crispy fried onions and pickles made every bite absolutely delicious. Since it was lunchtime, I was grateful that a fresh cabbage salad was also served as part of a welcome lunchtime bonus.
After finishing my meal and heading to the register, I watched several luxurious parfaits being carried past me. The parfaits looked so tempting that I found myself planning a return visit just for dessert.
After lunch, I finally picked up the magazine I had my eye on earlier.
I had gone in intending to buy a fashion magazine, but this one caught my eye with its beautiful interior design ideas, and I couldn’t resist bringing it home. With so many inspiring color and pattern combinations inside, I think I’ll be able to borrow plenty of ideas for fashion too.
On the receipt, I found a lovely surprise—a discount coupon for the bookstore’s premium paid lounge located on the third floor. Since I was completely full from my wonderful lunch this time, I would absolutely love to experience the lounge on my next visit.
Location: The Marunouchi OAZO
Located right outside the Marunouchi North Exit of Tokyo Station, Marunouchi OAZO is a modern multi-purpose complex.
From the entrance facing the station, you can enjoy a pleasant view of the iconic Tokyo Station building.
While it has fewer shops compared to the bustling Marunouchi Building, Marunouchi OAZO offers a wonderful selection of utilities. In addition to the massive Maruzen bookstore, it conveniently houses a 100-yen shop and Hotel Metropolitan Marunouchi.
Conclusion
Whether you prefer gazing out at Tokyo Station’s historic red-brick facade or watching Shinkansen trains glide in and out of the platforms below, both of these bookstore cafés offer a relaxing escape right next to one of Tokyo’s busiest transport hubs.
TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Marunouchi is ideal for enjoying beautiful city views with a coffee in hand, while Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store is perfect for browsing English books and international magazines before settling down for a meal overlooking the trains.
For me, what began as a simple search for a fashion magazine turned into a wonderfully leisurely day of book browsing, train watching, and discovering new corners of Marunouchi. I also realized afterward that both locations offer premium lounge spaces that I completely overlooked during this visit. Between the SHARE LOUNGE at TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE and Personal Lounge at Maruzen, I already have two good reasons to come back.
If you find yourself near Tokyo Station with a little time to spare, either of these bookstore cafés is well worth a visit.
Recommended For:
• Travelers looking for unique cafés near Tokyo Station
• Book lovers and magazine enthusiasts
• Visitors looking for English books and international magazines in Tokyo
• People who enjoy city views, train watching, and relaxing café time
• Anyone exploring Marunouchi and looking for a comfortable place to take a break
Discover more finds from Marunouchi:
Seasonal Japanese Entryway Decor: Simple, Cozy & Traditional Ideas
Explore my journey on the Hayabusa and Komachi:
A Day Trip from Tokyo to Iwate in Japan: Rainy Journey & Food
Information
Information, prices and exchange rates are current as of my visit but may change. Please check official sites.
Please use your browser’s translation feature to view these Japanese websites.
Marunouchi Building
– Official English website
Access:
– About 490 ft (150 m) from Tokyo Station
TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Marunouchi
– The 3rd and 4th floors
Business Hours
11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
(until 8:00 PM on Sundays and public holidays)
– Official website (Japanese only)
Starbucks Coffee
– The 4th floor
(Please note that another Starbucks is located on the basement level)
Business Hours
8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
– Official website (Japanese only)
SHARE LOUNGE MARUNOUCHI
– The 3rd and 4th floors
– Official website (Japanese only)
Marunouchi Oazo
– Official English website
Access
– About 390 ft (120 m) from Tokyo Station
Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store
Business Hours
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
– From the 1st to the 4th floor
– Official English website
M&C Café Marunouchi
Business Hours
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (L.O20:30)
– The 4th floor
– Google Maps
Personal Lounge Maruzen 3rd Floor
– The 3rd floor
– Official website (Japanese only)
