Okay, so finding something decent to eat before 9 am in Tokyo turned into a bit of an adventure for me. I’m an early riser, always have been, but Tokyo, especially the smaller shops, doesn’t always wake up quite as early as I do. I needed a plan.
Getting Started: The Early Morning Hunt
I woke up around 6:30 am, feeling pretty fresh. My first thought was, “Coffee and something warm.” I stepped out of my hotel near Shinjuku. The streets were already busy with commuters, but lots of the restaurants I’d seen the day before were still shuttered tight. No cute little independent cafes open yet, mostly.
My first move was just walking towards the main Shinjuku Station. Figured that had to be the best bet, right? All those people heading to work need to eat something.
Option 1: The Konbini Lifesaver
Almost immediately, I spotted a FamilyMart. These convenience stores, or konbinis, are everywhere and they’re open 24/7, which is brilliant. I went inside.
- Grabbed a hot canned coffee from the warmer shelf.
- Picked up a salmon onigiri (rice ball).
- Also got one of those egg salad sandwiches – they’re surprisingly good.
Paid up, took maybe 5 minutes total. I ate the onigiri standing outside watching people rush by. Super efficient, cheap, and honestly, pretty tasty for what it was. This is the go-to if you’re in a real hurry.
Option 2: Quick Noodles
Still feeling like I wanted something hot though. The coffee was good, but a cold rice ball wasn’t quite hitting the spot for a proper sit-down feel. I kept walking and saw one of those standing soba noodle shops. You know the type, usually a simple counter, maybe a few stools, and a ticket machine outside.
I decided to give it a try. Put my yen into the machine, looked at the pictures, and pushed the button for a basic ‘kake soba’ (hot soba noodles in broth). A little ticket popped out. I went inside, handed the ticket to the lady behind the counter, and maybe two minutes later, a steaming bowl of noodles appeared. Seriously fast.
I slurped it down standing at the counter. It was simple, warm, savory, and cost next to nothing. Perfect for a quick, warming fill-up. Lots of salarymen doing the same thing. In and out in under 10 minutes.
Option 3: The Cafe Set
After the noodles, I felt more awake and had a bit more time before 9 am. I wandered a bit more and smelled coffee. Found a Doutor Coffee Shop, which was open. Looked inside, saw people actually sitting down, seemed calmer.
They had ‘Morning Sets’. I went for one. It usually includes:
- A piece of thick toast (sometimes with butter/jam).
- Maybe a small boiled egg or some ham/lettuce.
- And of course, coffee (or tea).
This felt more like a ‘proper’ breakfast. I found a seat by the window, enjoyed my toast and coffee, and watched the city wake up properly. It cost a bit more than the soba or konbini food, but it was comfortable and relaxed. Places like Tully’s or St Marc Cafe often have similar deals.
Option 4 (Not Tried Today, but Noted): The Hearty Meal
While walking, I also passed a Yoshinoya, one of those 24-hour beef bowl places. I glanced at their menu and saw they had specific breakfast options too – not just beef bowls. Things like grilled salmon, rice, miso soup, pickles, maybe some natto. Looked like a proper Japanese breakfast set (teishoku).
Didn’t go for it this time as I was already full, but I mentally filed it away. If you need a really substantial, traditional-style breakfast early in the morning, these gyudon chains (Yoshinoya, Matsuya, Sukiya) are definitely an option.
Wrapping Up: Success Before 9 AM
So, yeah, getting breakfast before 9 am in Tokyo? Totally doable. You just need to know where to look. Forget the fancy brunch places, they won’t be open. Stick near the train stations.
My quick takeaway:
- Fastest/Cheapest: Konbini (FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, Lawson). Grab and go.
- Quick & Warm: Standing Soba/Udon shops. Great for a hot bite.
- Relaxed & Western-ish: Chain Cafes (Doutor, Tully’s). Get a breakfast set.
- Hearty & Japanese: Gyudon Chains (Yoshinoya, Matsuya). Proper breakfast sets.
It wasn’t complicated at all. Just took a little exploring on that first morning. Now I know the drill. Hope this helps anyone else trying to navigate the early morning food scene here!
