
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】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
National Geographic names Yamagata Prefecture on its “Best of the World 2026” travel destinations
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Japanese breakfast ramen for US$3.50 in Shinjuku is the morning meal you didn’t know you needed
New Studio Ghibli collection includes a US$2,450 wooden Totoro 【Video】
Guangdong would rank as the world’s 12th most populous nation, and other fun with China’s census
New Okonomiyaki Burger flips up the fast food scene in Japan
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
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】
Blue Bottle Coffee opens in Japan to two-hour lines; Mr. Sato gets impatient, goes somewhere else
Mr. Sato visits Gacha Gacha no Mori: The capsule toy store for adult women
Mr Sato shows us how to buy bubble wrap from one of the most unusual vending machines in Japan
Mr. Sato takes on the “Trap or Treasure” capsule machine for 500 yen
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】
Leave a Reply