Tag: shibuya

A Taste of Oslo in Tokyo: Coffee at Fuglen Shibuya

Fuglen has been serving quality coffee in Oslo since 1963, and in 2012, it brought a little piece of Norway to Japan with the opening of its first Tokyo café. Today, there are two branches—Shibuya and Asakusa—and I stopped by the Shibuya location during a quiet morning in the city.

Fuglen Tokyo is a stylish and cozy café that blends Scandinavian design with Japanese hospitality. The vibe strikes the perfect balance between cozy Nordic minimalism and warm Japanese charm. I visited on a quiet morning, making it the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a leisurely coffee.

The menu offers a wide variety of espresso-based drinks alongside pour-over coffee, tea, non-caffeinated beverages, and even cocktails later in the day.

I ordered a flat white with oat milk and Brunost on toast with butter. As someone who loves Brunost, this was an easy choice. The Norwegian brown cheese has a subtly sweet, caramel-like flavor that is unlike any other cheese. It was served on beautifully toasted bread with a crisp, golden crust and a soft, fluffy interior. Paired with the smooth, well-balanced flat white, it made for the perfect breakfast.

If you’re looking for excellent coffee and a café with plenty of character, Fuglen is definitely worth adding to your Tokyo itinerary.

Fuglen Shibuya

1 Chome-16-11 Tomigaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0063, Japan

Matcha Café in Shibuya

A stylish, minimalist matcha café in Shibuya, Hatoya is popular spot with foreign tourists. The staff spoke English and were friendly, which made ordering easy. The open seating layout gives the space a modern, airy feel and would be perfect in warmer weather. Unfortunately, I visited in winter, and sitting on the cement seats made it quite chilly — cushions or seat mats would have been a thoughtful addition.

The café offers a variety of matcha options with different flavor profiles, allowing you to choose based on intensity and taste preference. In addition to matcha, they also serve hojicha, black tea, ice cream, and a small selection of desserts.

I ordered a hot matcha latte and matcha ice cream. I was really looking forward to the matcha, but it ended up being a bit disappointing. The matcha latte was quite light and tasted more of milk than matcha, lacking the depth and slight bitterness I usually enjoy. The ice cream had a bold matcha taste, which I enjoyed, but the texture was crumbly and slightly icy rather than smooth and creamy. The glutinous rice balls, however, were soft and chewy — easily the best part of the dessert.

Overall, it’s a beautiful space with friendly service and a strong concept, but the flavors didn’t quite live up to the aesthetic for me.

Hatoya Shibuya

Japan, 〒150-0047 Tokyo, Shibuya, Kamiyamacho, 3−8 AISKビル 1階