GLITCH COFFEE & ROASTERS
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Jimbocho Station · 2 min walk (Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Toei Mita Line, Toei Shinjuku Line)
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 8:00–19:00, Sat–Sun 9:00–19:00
- Time needed
- 20–45 min
- Best time to go
- Weekday mornings between 8:00 and 10:00, or weekend mornings before 13:00, to avoid lines for the limited seating.
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
Location
Japan, 〒101-0054 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Kanda Nishikichō, 3-chōme−１６ １階Kanda Nishikichō, Tokyo
About
Glitch Coffee & Roasters is a pilgrimage site for specialty coffee purists, located in Tokyo's bookish Jimbocho district. Unlike standard cafes, Glitch focuses exclusively on single-origin, light-roast beans, meticulously brewed to highlight the unique terroir of each crop. Expect an ultra-stylish, minimalist space where passionate, English-speaking baristas guide you through a personalized tasting flight.
What Japanese guides note
Visitors often arrive expecting the bitter, dark-roast coffee typical of Jimbocho's vintage kissaten, but GLITCH exclusively brews single-origin light roasts that resemble tea or fruit infusions in both translucency and acidity. Seating is limited to 16 stools and counter spots, so peak weekend afternoons commonly cause queues along the corner of Kanda Nishikicho. The ordering process is consultative, meaning baristas discuss flavor profiles and bean varieties with each visitor before brewing.
Details from local sources
- Founder Kiyokazu Suzuki won the Japan AeroPress Championship in 2014 and trained for a decade under Paul Bassett before establishing this location on April 10, 2015. [source]
- The red circle printed on the shop cups is designed after the Japanese national flag to symbolize domestic coffee craft. [source]
- The shop utilizes a German Probat roaster and shares roasting time and profile logs with external craft baristas. [source]
- The interior at the Kanda Nishikicho roastery has a capacity of 16 seats. [source]
- Each coffee order comes served with an informational card detailing the specific farm, process, and tasting notes. [source]
- Founder Suzuki launched the annual Coffee Collection festival in the Kanda Nishikicho neighborhood in 2015. [source]
Insider Tip
Prices are high and there is a one-drink-per-person rule, so come ready to splurge on a premium pour-over rather than a casual quick cup.
Frequently asked
Which subway exit is closest to Glitch Coffee & Roasters?
Exit A9 of Jimbocho Station on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Toei Mita Line, and Toei Shinjuku Line is the closest exit, located approximately a 2-minute walk away. From Exit A9, walk south along Hakusan-dori and take two quick turns into the Kanda Nishikicho backstreets.
Does Glitch Coffee serve dark roasts or blended house coffee?
No. The roastery does not serve blends or dark roasts. The menu is restricted to single-origin, light-roasted specialty beans. Extraction aims to emphasize floral notes, terroir, and fruity acidity rather than roast bitterness, creating a brew with a tea-like clarity.
Can I order a flight to compare multiple coffees?
Yes. Glitch offers multi-cup tasting flights where guests choose two or three single-origin beans brewed side by side. Each selection is poured into separate glassware and served with detailed informational cards outlining the country, processing technique, and fruit or floral flavor notes.
Can visitors purchase roasted beans to take home?
Yes. Whole roasted coffee beans are displayed on the counter in glass jars and sold in retail bags. Staff allow visitors to smell the dry grounds and review tasting notes before purchasing, and staff can grind beans upon request.
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