Brewed in Tokyo: An Interview with the Creator behind Shelby’s Café Diary

Let us introduce you to Shelby Shikashio, the passionate creator behind Shelby’s Café Diary. Having spent four years soaking up Tokyo’s vibrant energy and dedicating countless hours to exploring its unique coffee shops, bakeries, and stylish corners, Shelby has become a knowledgeable friend for those seeking the city’s countless hidden spots. She shares her curated finds on Instagram and TikTok, offering a warm and authentic look into the daily life and café culture of the capital. Her recent digital mini-zine, a collection of her favorite personal recommendations, is a meaningful invitation to fall in love with Tokyo through its culinary and caffeine-fueled experiences.

Join us for this exclusive interview to discover how Shelby Shikashio transformed her four years of exploring Tokyo’s unique coffee and sweets into the authentic expertise of Shelby’s Café Diary.

Could you introduce yourself and share how your passion for Tokyo’s café scene developed over the past four years, which led to the creation of Shelby’s Café Diary?

My name is Shelby, and I was born and raised in Northern California, USA. I am a 3rd/4th-generation Japanese-American and have always had an interest in learning more about Japanese culture and the language as well, so I moved to Tokyo back in March 2022 to go to language school here. What was supposed to be a short one year in Japan ended up turning into four years and counting, living in Tokyo!

There are two things about me that have always been true: being introverted and having a sweet tooth. Because of these two things, my love for cafés just came naturally. On my days off, I enjoy spending time alone and either writing, reading, or knitting while sipping on a latte. Cafés are also my go-to spot for catching up with friends, so after a while, I accumulated quite a few spots saved in my Google Maps. When I started Shelby’s Café Diary, I wanted to make an account about something I actually liked and was passionate about, and so I thought, why not make it about cafés?

For you, what makes the act of visiting a café in Tokyo a uniquely meaningful cultural experience, beyond just enjoying the food and drinks?

Tokyo’s café culture is unlike any other; you’ve got your traditional kissaten, but also a ton of modern third-wave coffee shops, and even themed cafés. I feel like there’s a spot out there for everyone, depending on your tastes and interests, and that makes going to each café a unique opportunity to discover more about Tokyo’s café culture. Through Shelby’s Café Diary, I’ve learned so much about the origins of these cafés and why or how they started, and the more you research, the more you realize that every café has its own special story and place in the world of Tokyo cafés.

Your Instagram bio mentions an interest in coffee, sweets, fashion, bars, and izakayas. How do these broader elements of Tokyo life influence your approach to shop discovery and your overall content?

My love for all those things just naturally leads me to always look for new spots to try. Of course, I have my tried-and-true favorites, but what I think is so special about Tokyo is that there are so many places to discover. Whenever I pass by a shop on the street that I think looks interesting, or I hear a friend talking about a spot, I’ll save it on my Google Maps and wait for a good opportunity to try it.

Regarding my content, I think it’s a natural progression that once I try it and like it, I’ll share it with my followers.

As a content creator, how do you approach balancing the showcasing of popular, trending locations with highlighting truly lesser-known, special local spots? And while new business is great, are you ever worried about drawing too much attention to a single place?

I try to stray away from showing super “trendy” spots amongst tourists and highlight other places people might not have yet discovered. Of course, there is some overlap with the popular spots, but it’s something I’m always thinking about when creating videos.

I do worry about showcasing cafés or other places and it blowing up on social media to the point of it being a nuisance to the owners; however, when I visit cafés, I try to ask beforehand, either via DM or in person, if I can film there (and I have been rejected a couple of times!). I would never want to showcase a place that doesn’t want it. And for most, it’s been very positively received. I’ve even had a few of the owners reach out and thank me for helping grow their foreign customer base!

You’ve explored countless spots in Tokyo. What are your criteria for one to truly earn a spot in your personal “diary” and ultimately be included as a recommendation in your new guide?

When I go to a new spot, I have several criteria: quality/taste of the food and drinks, customer service, atmosphere, and accessibility. If a café has a good rating in most of these areas, then of course I think it’s fitting to recommend it; however, even if a place isn’t perfect all around, if they particularly excel in one area (for example, fantastic food but the customer service is just so-so), then I still think it deserves recognition and a place on my recommendations list. In those cases, I try to be transparent about the good parts and the so-so parts.

Speaking of your guide, the new digital mini-zine is described as a curated collection of personal favorites. What sets this guide apart from other Tokyo café lists, and what’s included?

The cafés I included in this zine have all been personally tested by me and are part of a collection that I have been growing for the past four years. It includes cafés that were recommended to me by locals, cafés that I became a regular at, cafés I spent countless nights with friends catching up over a pastry, etc. They aren’t just “the best cafés in Tokyo,” they’re cafés that make the perfect backdrop to your time in this city.

Of course, I also only include the cafés that have a good balance of good food, good drinks, good customer service, and great vibes! Having been to over 150 cafés in Tokyo myself makes me think I have a somewhat balanced idea of what makes a café stand out from the rest.

Could you share one of your current favorite Tokyo café recommendations, a place you find truly stands out among the rest, and what specific dish or element makes it a must-visit spot?

One café that I really love but have never mentioned anywhere else is Nem Coffee & Espresso in Hiroo. My absolute favorite type of café is one that feels homey and cozy, and this one, with the wooden interior and soft jazz playing in the background, is exactly that. Their avocado toast and coffee are both so flavorful, and the staff are very kind and warm. Walking into that café feels like walking into a friend’s home, and to me, that’s what makes it a must-visit.

Looking ahead, what are your future aspirations for Shelby’s Café Diary, such as plans for more zines, different content formats, or expanding your exploration to other cities in Japan?

I only started Shelby’s Café Diary less than a year ago, so I still feel like there is so much to do with it! I plan on making more zines, and already have plans for new creative content in 2026, which may or may not include exploring other cities in Japan…! I am excited for what’s to come, and I hope viewers are too.

Anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Thank you for reading my interview and sharing my love for Tokyo’s café scene. And even if you aren’t a frequent café-hopper, I hope reading this inspires you to discover something new in this city!

Thank you, Shelby, for sharing your passion and expertise on Tokyo’s café scene. Her insights remind us that a city’s charm can be found in the quiet moments, the perfect cup of coffee, a unique sweet, and the story behind a beloved neighborhood spot. Follow Shelby’s Café Diary to unlock the authentic, delicious heart of Tokyo.

Follow Shelby on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelbysCafédiary/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shelbysCafédiary

Zine: https://payhip.com/b/PXmhG

Featured Photo Credit: Shelby Shikashio

Next time you’re in Tokyo exploring the cafe scene and coffee culture, join us for a deep dive into the city’s other amazing culinary experiences by booking one of our Unique Food Tours guided by a local.