Tokyo Breakfast
"Tokyo breakfast is not eggs and toast—it's either a traditional Japanese set (grilled fish, rice, miso soup, pickles, natto) served at hotel buffets or teishoku restaurants, or a konbini pastry/sandwich grabbed on the go. Western-style cafes opening before 10am are rare; coffee shops (Doutor, Starbucks) serve pastries. The concept of 'brunch' doesn't exist. Breakfast culture is utilitarian, not leisurely."
Logistics
Affordable
Vibe
Functional, quick
Duration
15-30 minutes
Best For
Early risers
The Backstory
Traditional Japanese breakfast dates to the Edo period (1600s)—rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and pickles. Western breakfast was introduced post-WWII but never replaced the traditional format. By the 1980s, busy Tokyoites shifted to konbini or skipping breakfast entirely. The sit-down breakfast culture is mostly for tourists at hotels.
Local Secret
"If you want a traditional Japanese breakfast, book a hotel that includes it or go to a teishoku restaurant (open 7-9am). For quick breakfast, hit a konbini for tamago sando (egg sandwich) or onigiri. Coffee shops like Doutor and Komeda open around 7-8am with toast sets. Don't expect avocado toast or brunch culture—it's not a thing. Eat early or wait until lunch."