In the bustling, visually cluttered neighborhood of thrift stores and soup curry shops in Shimokitazawa, Et The Cultural Coffeehouse stands as a minimalist beacon. Perhaps a lot of places could be described as a “tranquil escape from a bustling city,” but truly, stepping into Et is stepping into a different dimension with clean, organic lines and neutral tones that creates a blanket of calm.
The two story space brings together natural materials and natural light, designed to evoke the rugged serenity of Seto Inland Sea. The tables and seats and walls all flow together in the airy space. The tableware matches the aesthetic with neutral toned ceramics and organically shaped glassware as a canvas for their beautifully crafted food, pastries and drinks. Et is the place you go to pause. To enjoy the space, unhurried. To linger and savor and reset before emerging back into the warm embrace of chaos outside.
the details
| Address | 2 Chome-22-3, Kitazawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo |
| @ettheculturalcoffeehouse | |
| Hours | 07:30-21:00 every day (hours may change seasonally, check Instagram for the latest) |
| Price | $$ – pretty standard cafe pricing for Tokyo |
| Aesthetic | minimalist, natural, airy, organic, comfortable |
good to know
Go here for: a coffee to stay, a light brunch, a solo lunch, a rest stop before an afternoon of shopping
Order this: a pourover, or one of their signature lattes, and a pastry or a pretty toast to round it out
Amount of time to spend: 30 minutes or longer (it’s hard to leave)
When to come: mornings are more calm, and weekdays are better for lingering
Getting here: about a 5 min walk from the Shimokitazawa Station (Inokashira, Odakyu lines), use the south west exit
Other things to note: English menus available and staff can take orders in English
Last visited: April 2025
Last updated: July 2025