Best Cafe near Ueno : Murasaki Coffee Review
Hidden Coffee Gem Near Ueno – Murasaki Coffee
Staying Around Okachimachi
During this trip, we stayed near Okachimachi Station, which is close to both Akihabara and Ueno. The area had plenty of local and hip handmade cafes to explore. We tried places like KIELO COFFEE Akihabara, SHI-TEN Coffee, and コーヒーとホットドックのお店 Bock 御徒町.
Overall, the quality of coffee was consistently good, and each cafe had its own charm. However, the reason I’m writing about Murasaki Coffee in particular is because it stood out — not only for its smooth coffee but also for the surprisingly delicious desserts.
A Hidden Café Run by Murasaki Sports
While wandering about 10 minutes from Ueno Station, we stumbled upon a small cafe run by the Murasaki Sports Company. At first, I was surprised to see a sports brand operating a coffee shop, but they clearly know what they’re doing — their coffee was a delightful find.
Review: Smooth and Easy-to-Drink Coffee
We both ordered oat milk lattes (soy milk and oat milk are available for a small extra charge). Neither of us is a fan of highly acidic coffee, but this latte had a rich, smooth body with a clean finish, and no acidity at all. It was easy to drink, perfectly balanced, and genuinely enjoyable.
Small, Cozy Atmosphere
The shop itself is small and cozy, with:
- A bar table facing the kitchen
- Another bar table on the opposite side
- A simple bench outside
The atmosphere was casual and quiet, ideal for a midday break. Interestingly, it seemed like there were more tourists than locals, which explains why the menu is written in English first (before Japanese). They also accept all major credit cards, making it convenient for travellers.
Must-Try: Red Bean & Purple Sweet Potato Treats
One of the highlights of this cafe was their freshly baked red bean paste and purple sweet potato paste treats.
At first, I hesitated to order since both items had “sweet” in the name — and I don’t usually have a sweet tooth. But to my surprise, they weren’t overly sweet at all. Instead, they were soft, moist and chewy - the perfect match for coffee.
There was even a small machine in the kitchen for baking them, which probably explains why they tasted so fresh — they weren’t pre-made and sitting for days, but baked right there in the cafe.
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| Red bean, Purple Sweet Potato and Oatmilk Latte |
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| We ordered an extra purple sweet potato dessert and, luckily, just before my husband finished the last bite, he remembered to take a photo.👍 |
Final Thoughts
Great Value for Money
For the quality, the price point was excellent. It felt like one of those rare finds in Tokyo where you get great coffee and unique desserts without breaking the budget. I usually go to cafes and order two drinks and two desserts, which easily comes to around 3,000 yen. However, this time, we had two drinks with alternative milk and three desserts — we ordered two at first and then added one more — and we only paid about 2,000 yen.
A Bit Out of the Way, But Worth It
The only downside is the location — about a 10-minute walk from Ueno Station, with not much else around the cafe itself. If the seating (both inside and outside) is full, the best option is to grab your coffee to go.
That said, the walk isn’t too bad, even on sunny days, since the street is lined with buildings that provide shade.
The National Museum, Ueno Park, and other attractions aren’t too far from the cafe, but they also require about a 10-minute walk across the overpass.
So while it’s a great place to grab coffee to go, the small space and lack of nearby activities make it less ideal for sitting down to relax for a long time, especially during busy hours.If you’re near Ueno or Okachimachi and don’t mind walking a little, Murasaki Coffee is absolutely worth a visit — both for its smooth lattes and its freshly baked treats.
*What else can we try in Ueno? There is a good Ramen place near Ueno/Okachimachi: https://reviewsinaus.blogspot.com/2025/08/discovering-local-duck-remen-ueno.html
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