Soy milk, almond, oat, rice, coconut, and even potato–the options for alternative milk are endless! If you’re like me, you’re probably coming from a country where dairy-free options are widely available when grabbing your caffeine fix.
Japan is a nation of coffee lovers. If you enjoy black coffee, you’ll have no trouble finding it. It’s available almost everywhere, even warm cans from vending machines! But if you prefer a flat white, a cappuccino, or a matcha latte, anything that requires milk in it, you might need to do a bit of planning.
While soy products, including soy milk, are common in supermarkets and konbinis, they’re not always available at every cafe (though I’ve noticed a growing number of cafes offering alternative options).
To make things easier, I’ve put together a list of places where you can find coffee, matcha, or any milk-based drinks with alternative milk options.
In this guide, you’ll discover both well-known coffee chains you’ll encounter while travelling and some great independent cafes in Tokyo worth checking out!
Want to get that cafe-quality coffee at home? Why not try Kappu Coffee, a Japanese coffee subscription that delivers straight to your door? Make sure to have a look at the post for 5% off your order!
Chain Cafes with Alternative Milk Options
Wondering where to find your next caffeine fix? Make sure you’ve got a solid Japanese data plan so you can search on the go!
01. Tully’s
Milk alternatives: Soy
Atmosphere: Simple, practical
V or V. O: Vegan options
A chain cafe with many stores around Tokyo, offering soy milk as an alternative for coffee and matcha lattes. Pair it with a plant-based Canelé (as of 2025) for a little sweet treat!
02. The Matcha Tokyo
Milk alternatives: Soy, almond, oat
Atmosphere: Modern, simple, minimal
V or V. O: Vegan options
A matcha cafe with a few different locations around Tokyo. Not only do they serve 100% organic matcha drinks, but have a small shop selling all things matcha and even vegan matcha cookies with cranberries inside, which has a lovely chew to it!
At The Matcha Tokyo, choose from soy, almond or oat milk (+50 yen). When I was only just getting into coffee, I tried their matcha coffee latte– delicious, but I FELT the caffeine. Now I’m curious to try again, as my caffeine tolerance is stronger.
Open: varies 11:00-19:00 / 10:00-19:00
03. Starbucks
Milk alternatives: Soy, oat, almond
Atmosphere: Simple, practical
V or V. O: Vegan options
You’ll find Starbucks nationwide, offering three alternative milks: soy, oat and almond, but the almond milk is not vegan.
They also have around five or six vegan-friendly light bites and baked goods, which change seasonally. With so many locations across Tokyo, Starbucks is a reliable option when you’re in a hurry and need something quick and suitable.
When I visit, I love to get an oat milk matcha latte with a glazed doughnut!
*The almond milk has a pork-derived ingredient, per customer service*
04. Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo
Milk alternatives: Soy, oat, almond
Atmosphere: Modern, artistic, industrial
V or V. O: Vegan options
A cafe with four floors, each floor specialising in something different. They are a premium version of the normal Starbucks, selling rarer and higher quality coffees. Offering drinks with three milk alternatives and vegan food options
*The almond milk has a pork-derived ingredient, per customer service*
Open: 7:00-22:00
Address: 2 Chome-19-23 Aobadai, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0042, Japan
05. Excelsior
Milk alternatives: Soy, almond
Atmosphere: Casual, practical
V or V. O: Vegan options
Excelsior is another chain coffee shop you’ll likely come across during your trip and one of the more affordable options on this list. They offer soy and almond milk, making it a good choice for plant-based travelers. Many branches open as early as 7 AM—a rarity in Japan—so be sure to check opening times in advance to avoid disappointment.
06. 2Foods
Milk alternatives: Oat
Atmosphere: Modern, casual, friendly
V or V. O: 100% Vegan
2Foods is a 100% vegan cafe that once had five locations in Tokyo but now operates only one store in Ginza. They offer a variety of plant-based dishes like curry and omurice, along with sweet treats, soft drinks, and coffee or matcha made with oat milk.
When I last visited, we enjoyed a great iced oat latte and indulged in an impressive Halloween parfait and doughnut!
07. Café de Crie
Milk alternatives: Soy
Atmosphere: Casual, practical
V or V. O: Vegan options
From lattes to blueberry and soy yoghurt smoothies, to banana smoothies, Café de Crie, offers soy milk as an alternative.
08. Doutor
Milk alternatives: Soy
Atmosphere: Casual, practical
V or V. O: Vegan options
Doutor is a common sight in Japan, offering a variety of drinks, including soy matcha, lattes, and milk tea—served hot or iced. If you’re feeling peckish, they also have a soy meat burger with a plant-based patty, beans, and a flavorful sauce.
09. Ain Soph
Milk alternatives: Soy
Atmosphere: Trendy, modern
V or V. O: 100% Vegan
Ain Soph is a fully vegan cafe restaurant with three locations in Tokyo and one in Kyoto. Each branch is slightly different, a patisserie, restaurant and cafe. Come here for a meal and finish off with a coffee using soymilk.
10. Streamer Coffee Company
Milk alternatives: Soy, almond
Atmosphere: Casual, cosy, modern
V or V. O: Vegan options
Chain cafe with 6 stores in Tokyo. A good place to do work with a cup of great coffee, but on the higher end for price. At Steamer Coffee Company, they have soy, almond and oat milk to choose from.
11. Beck’s
Milk alternatives: Soy
Atmosphere: Casual, practical
V or V. O: Vegan options
At Beck’s, you can grab a hot or iced soy latte from ¥410. Keep in mind that many locations have a smoking area, which may not be for everyone.
12. Komeda Coffee
Milk alternatives: Soy
Atmosphere: Casual, practical
V or V. O: Vegan options
Komeda is a popular chain with many locations across Japan and offers soy milk as an alternative. However, if you’re looking for a fully vegan option with food, I recommend visiting their dedicated vegan cafe in Ginza, Komeda Is.
13. Komeda Is
Milk alternatives: Soy, oat, almond
Atmosphere: Relaxing, friendly, eco
V or V. O: 100% Vegan
“Komeda Coffee” is a chain kissaten, while “Komeda Is” is their first fully plant-based cafe serving meals, desserts, alcohol and drinks. They offer oat, soy and almond milk. Make sure to go to “Komeda Is” for all the plant-based options!
Tip: If you visit for breakfast before 11 am and order a drink, you’ll get free toast!
Open: 7:00-22:00
Address: 1 Chome-13-1 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
14. Segafredo Zanetti
Milk alternatives: Soy
Atmosphere: Practical, casual
V or V. O: Vegan Option
Segafredo Zanetti has a few locations in Tokyo, offers soy milk as an alternative for your drinks. They used to have a vegan wrap and tiramisu, but it appears they no longer have any suitable options on the menu.
15. Foru Cafe
Milk alternatives: Almond
Atmosphere: Modern, relaxed
V or V. O: Vegan Option
Foru cafe, meaning “for you”, is a cafe with 4 different locations around Tokyo, with soy milk as their alternative option.
Independent Cafes with Milk Alternatives
These are some of the independent cafes in Tokyo that offer alternative milk.
16. Wired Tokyo 1999
Milk alternatives: Soy
Atmosphere: Fashionable, cool, modern bar
V or V. O: Vegan options
If you fancy somewhere a bit more stylish, come to Wired Tokyo 1999. It’s a multistory cafe and bookstore offering soy milk as an alternative.
Open: 10:00 – 22:00
Address: 150-0042 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Udagawacho, 21−6 ＱＦＲＯＮＴ7F
17. Goodtown Doughnuts / The Little Bakery Tokyo
Milk alternatives: Oat, almond
Atmosphere: Trendy, friendly
V or V. O: Vegan options
Goodtown Doughnuts and its sister store recently relocated to a new location together. They are a cafe bakery in Harajuku, known for their doughnuts and baked goods. They have vegan doughnuts, cinnamon rolls and cookies, as well as oat and almond milk alternatives for your drinks.
Open: 10:00 -19:00
Address: 6 Chome-13-6 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
18. Plant More
Milk alternatives: Oat
Atmosphere: Fashionable, Modern
V or V. O: Vegan options
Plant More is a vegan-friendly cafe with lunch plates, desserts and offering oat milk for their drinks.
Open: 11:00-21:00
Address: 1 Chome-1−5 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku (at Lumine 1), Tokyo, Japan, 160-0023
19. Double Tall Coffeebar
Milk alternatives: Soy, almond
Atmosphere: Friendly, cosy
V or V. O: Vegan options
A small hole-in-a-wall cafe, serving speciality coffee. Offering great coffee for a reasonable price. They have soy and almond milk as alternatives.
Open: 9:00-19:00 Monday to Friday | 10:00-18:00 Saturday and Sunday
Address: 1 Chome-23-16 Shibuya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0002, Japan
20. Citron
Milk alternatives: Soy, almond
Atmosphere: Modern, minimal
V or V. O: Vegan options
Known as a French, vegetarian salad bar. They offer drinks with soy and almond milk alternatives.
Open: 8:00-21:00 Monday to Friday | 8:00-19:00 Saturday and Sunday
Address: Seirin Building 1F/2F Minami Aoyama 2-27-21 TOKYO 107-0062 Japan
21. Garden House Crafts
Milk alternatives: Soy, oat
Atmosphere: Rustic, open
V or V. O: Vegan options
A cafe bakery with soy and oat milk options for your drinks. On a nice day, you can enjoy your drink out on the wooden terrace.
Open: 8:30 – 18:00
Address: Japan, 〒150-0034 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Daikanyamacho, 13−1 LOG ROAD DAIKANYAMA5号棟
22. About Life Coffee Brewers
Milk alternatives: Soy, oat
Atmosphere: Friendly, trendy, minimal
V or V. O: Vegan options
Small cafe with great coffee, friendly staff and limited seating. They have oat or soy milk as an alternative to enjoy in your coffee.
Open: 9:00-18:00 Monday to Friday | 11:00-18:00 Saturday, Sunday
Address: 1 Chome-19-8 Dogenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan
23. Universal Bakes and Cafe
Milk alternatives: Soy, oat
Atmosphere: Rustic, minimal, friendly
V or V. O: 100% Vegan
Fancy a morning pastry and coffee? Come to this 100% vegan bakery selling bread, pastries and snacks with oat and soy milk alternatives.
Open: 8:30-18:00 Wednesday to Sunday
Address: 5 Chome-9-1 Daita, Tokyo, Japan, 1550033
24. Coconut Glen’s
Milk alternatives: Coconut
Atmosphere: Beach themed, relaxed
V or V. O: 100% Vegan
Known for serving vegan coconut ice cream, they also offer coconut milk for lattes and iced coffee. This is the only place on this list serving coconut milk!
Open: 11:00 – 19:00
Address: 2-18-6 Minamiikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan, 171-0022
25. Mabre Vegan
Milk alternatives: Soy
Atmosphere: Friendly, modern
V or V. O: 100% Vegan
A vegan cake cafe located next to Shinjuku Gyoen Park. They sell a beautiful selection of cakes that can be enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee, using soy milk.
Open: 11:00 – 19:00
Address: Shinjuku, 2-chōme−1−５, Parkside Sq, 1st Floor, Tokyo, Japan, 160-0022
26. Cafe Slow
Milk alternatives: Soy
Atmosphere: Cosy, friendly, modern
V or V. O: Vegan options
A cafe serving organic food with vegan and vegetarian-friendly meals on their menu. At Cafe Slow, you can grab a drink with soy milk.
Open: 11:30 -17:00
Address: 2-20-10 Higashimotomachi, Kokubunji, Tokyo, Japan, 185-0022
27. The Front Room
Milk alternatives: Soy, oat
Atmosphere: Sophisticated, modern, fashionable
V or V. O: Vegan options
A cafe-restaurant offering soy and oat milk coffees. It’s conveniently located in Tokyo station, and they also have two food options: a vegan salad and an arrabbiata.
Open: Monday to Thursday 8:00-22:00, Friday 8:00-23:00, Saturday & Sunday 9:00-21:00
Address: 103-6390 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Marunouchi, 2 Chome−4−1, Marunouchi Building, 1F
On the surface, Japan might not seem like the most vegan-friendly destination in the world, but dig a bit deeper, and you’ll soon find out there are more than a few places to get your tea and coffee fix.
Whether you’re a tea lover or a coffee drinker, this list has something for everyone to have their vegan-friendly drinks in Tokyo, with a milk alternative.
Is there any I’ve missed? Let me know!
Check out my food Instagram for more places to eat and drink in Japan!
