I feel like recently I wrote a lot about Kissaten closing. It’s a little bit sad, right? So today I decided to bring some joy here and write about one of my favorite kissaten EVER. One that I’m visiting at least one or two times a month. One that washes away my stress and worris just by stepping in. One that I hope will never meet its end. This place is really special for me. When I need some time away from the busy Tokyo or when I just want a place where I can think and relax, I go there and I’m literally entering another world every time.
And because Dogenzaka is not only the love hotel hill…let me introduce you… Lion in Shibuya!

Meikyoku Kissa Lion (名曲喫茶ライオン) 
Since 1926 (Taisho 15)     
Smoking    
No Wi-Fi & no power outlets  
Popular and can be crowded  
Recommendation: melon cream soda, ice coffee, matcha float 
Japanese/English Menu    
Alone, couple
We love: the classical music, the atmosphere, the whole building   
Special points: You can't talk in this café 
Drinks prices:  550-720 yen    
Kissa-meter: Fabulously antiquish classic  

Closest train station: Shibuya station 

Kissaten overwiew

• Founded by Mister Yamadera (24 years-old at the time!) who designed every tiny parts of the place himself, this kissaten is strongly running its business since 1926.

• I heard that this kissaten is inspired by a place in London which Mister Yamadera fell in love with: Lion Bakery. I didn’t really find any informations about it but apparently they were serving a very special coffee and Mister Yamadera used the same recipe he learned there and still now you can enjoy this very unique taste.

• Lion escaped the Kanto great earthquakes but was completely burned down by WWII bombings in 1945. Five years later, in 1950, the kissaten was rebuilt according to the same design than the original ones.

• In 1955, the brother-in-law of Mister Yamadera, Mister Ishiara became the new manager until his death in 2007. Since then, Lion has been running by relatives.

• The café is playing a selection of classical music changing regularly. It really feels like a small concert hall. Check the provided program on your table to know more about it.

• No food here folks, sorry. Or acually, no food except a very good vanilla ice cream (620 yen).

• The drink choice is pretty basic for a kissaten: blend coffee ( 550 yen), hot cocoa (620 yen), cream soda (720 yen) etc… But quite large! (27 drinks!!!)

Tips

• You can’t talk there, so just be quiet and enjoy the music with your drink. No really, keep your mouth shut! 🙂

• You can’t take pictures inside as well. Please be nice and don’t try to take sneaky pictures! I know some people did and you can find it on social media but please refrain yourself and be respectful.

• The place has 2 floors. Go to the second one if you can, really. It’s breathtaking.

• Try the melon soda (720 yen)! The soda itself is quite simple and common but the vanilla ice cream is really tasty, so the combination of both makes a very nice result.

• They are also serving a hot matcha drink (570 yen) which is actually quite good. Usually I stay away from matcha in a kissaten, I had few bad experiences of really undrinkable ones… But Lion is one of the few places where I can get some when I’m feeling in a “tea mood”. I guess they are using a good quality matcha powder.

• The matcha float is also really noticeable. I tried it few times and it made a great impression on me. I tend to be picky with float as a low quality ice cream can ruin the best drink. But Lion is using a very rich high quality ice cream (you can order some seperately actually), so it’s a safe bet to get any float from there.

• You can take a nap there. I’m not even kidding, the seats are comfortable enough to fall asleep, lulled by the classical musical. I actually took one of the best nap I ever had in a kissaten there.

• They provide a program of the music being played so you don’t need to ask to the waiter about the songs.

• Take some time to observe the building itself from the outside. You’ll be surprised about all the details and amazing little things Mister Yamadera thought about when he made Lion.

• Old pictures of the previous owners are displayed in the kissaten. Take a look at them!

• If by any chance you can speak some japanese and the sweet mama-owner is there, I highly suggest you to have a chat with her. She’s really so so so adorable! My heart is melting every time I’m talking to her.

Meikyoku Kissa Lion (名曲喫茶ライオン)
Address: 2 chome-19-13, Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo  
(東京都渋谷区道玄坂２－１９－１３)
Phone: 03-3461-6858
Monday 〜 Sunday 11:00 – 22:30
Closed during Japanese New Year holidays (12/26 to 01/06)

Lion’s Website