
Can’t decide what to get? Then leave it all up to gacha.
For our Japanese-language reporter Mr. Sato, nothing beats sipping a perfectly brewed cup of coffee to kickstart the day. And while Starbucks is currently offering exciting Halloween flavors like Masquerade Raspberry Mocha, Mr. Sato much prefers simple flavors in the morning.
His instincts for the odd and strange, however, delivered him to a cafe in Roppongi Hills called Gacha Gacha Coffee. Its location within the 250-meter (820 feet) high Tokyo City View Observation Deck meant that entry required a fee of 1,800 yen (US$16).
▼ Might as well enjoy the scenery while you are there, Mr. Sato.
If your main purpose is to only drink coffee, then 1,800 yen might be too dear a price to pay. Good thing our adventurous reporter was here for the spectacular view, too. Right, Mr. Sato?
▼ “A crystal-clear view of the city and Tokyo Tower is good and all,
but where’s my coffee?” he muttered grumpily.
▼ Making his way over to Sky Gallery 3, Mr. Sato found what he had been looking for.
▼ The place certainly felt like a cozy cafe, but with no staff around to help and
odd contraptions all over, he was at a loss as to what to do.
▼ “I am in the right place, right?”
▼ Peering at instructions imprinted on the wall,
Mr. Sato realized that everything here was self-service.
Like its namesake, the place had capsule vending machines numbered from one to five, each corresponding to different coffee beans within. What’s more, a special dispenser with a question mark supposedly contained mystery coffee beans as well.
▼ One turn of the crank cost 500 yen.
▼ Out popped his morning pick-me-up.
▼ Cracking it open with glee, Mr. Sato found a pack of Nyeri Hill roast nestled inside.
▼ Never having tried Kenyan coffee in his life before,
our now excited reporter impatiently tore open the packaging and fed it into the mill…
▼ …then gave the switch a flick.
▼ An unseen grinder whirred to life, depositing aromatic ground coffee into the dripper below.
▼ Next was placing it on top of a paper cup…
▼ …and choosing his options.
“Express” offered a 90-second drip that produced a light and smooth finish, whereas the three-minute “rich” option resulted in a deeper and bolder flavor.
▼ “I want to be rich!” exclaimed Mr. Sato as steaming hot water dribbled down.
▼ Gacha coffee all ready to go! The smell was incredible.
▼ “Sipping coffee while appreciating gorgeous scenery… what a classy way to start the day.
Mr. Sato found the entire process of brewing his own cup of random coffee really exciting, not to mention having a stunning Tokyo landscape at his disposal. Sure, he would have spent a lot less and gotten a lot more at other coffee stores, but Gacha Gacha Coffee will forever be ingrained into his mind as one of most stylish places to have a cup of joe.
Images: ©SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]


















We splurge at the new Blue Bottle Coffee vending machines in Tokyo
Will we win a 75,000-yen tub of caviar from this Japanese vending machine?
We spent over US$400 at a Tokyo premium capsule machine, and we’re not sure how we feel about it
We buy random-destination airplane ticket discounts from a Japanese gacha capsule vending machine
Taking a trip using Japan’s random gacha capsule airplane ticket discount【Photos】
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
The top 12 incomprehensible school rules, as chosen by high school students
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Japan releases new ramen sandwiches… that don’t taste like ramen
Starbucks Japan adds a new Frappuccino and Milk to the menu, but are they worth the calories?
Starbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Mt. Fuji hot spring inn gets even more beautiful after dark with Firefly Festival
7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores
Don’t miss the Tokyo Tower City Light Fantasia ~Summer Landscape 2026~ event during your travels
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
A visit to Tokyo’s fanciest coffeehouse for a 16,200 yen (US$143) bottle of coffee【Pics】
Shinkansen coffee and ice cream vending machines make train travel in Japan magical
Mr. Sato’s day made from this gacha capsule toy with a special surprise【Pics】
Mr. Sato visits Gacha Gacha no Mori: The capsule toy store for adult women
Blue Bottle Coffee opens in Japan to two-hour lines; Mr. Sato gets impatient, goes somewhere else
Mr. Sato takes on the “Trap or Treasure” capsule machine for 500 yen
Mr Sato shows us how to buy bubble wrap from one of the most unusual vending machines in Japan
New vending machines in Shibuya set to dispense Blue Bottle Coffee blends, beans, and more
Mr. Sato decides to go out for a cup of coffee…with a giant 20-pound Starbucks mug!
Steampunk vending machines appear in Japan, and here’s how to find them
Mr. Sato orders a box of hot coffee from Starbucks Japan to our office
How to use Japan’s revolving sushi capsule toy for a literal revolving sushi meal at home
7-Eleven releases a secret Cafe Latte Smoothie at select stores in Japan
We try insect snacks from this vending machine in Tokyo, and get a bonus surprise in the capsule
Photos of Complete Strangers: Japan’s new strange, and strangely compelling, capsule toys【Pics】
What’s it like to eat eel from a Japanese vending machine?