Where to Eat Early Breakfast in Japan: The Complete Guide for Travelers
- pwoldow
- Jul 25
- 10 min read
Updated: Aug 11
Part 1 of 2
🍽 Let’s Talk About Breakfast in Japan
At Zen Gaijin, our mission is to guide you far off the tourist trail. But one “conventional” topic floods our inbox so often that we have to address a pressing need: breakfast in Japan—specifically, where to find breakfast meals that are early, familiar, and/or affordable.
So in this post, we digress from the exotic to help you fuel up before heading to those hidden temples, coastal towns, or countryside ryokans.
Here’s what travelers keep asking us, especially travelers visiting Kyoto:
The questions surprised us because cities like Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo offer thousands of early-morning breakfast spots—from national chain restaurants to family-run diners to sleek café chains. We suspect that tourists often walk past restaurants because the outside signage is in Japanese.
📍 About This Guide
We've curated our favorites that open early, are easily accessible, and showcase the diverse morning food scene. This original research represents months of testing and is exclusive to Zen Gaijin readers.
Some of these spots are Kyoto-only, while most others can be found in Tokyo, Osaka, or other regional cities. This guide is divided into two parts: Part 1 focuses on national chain restaurants with locations throughout Japan. Part 2 focuses on regional and local restaurants that are centered in and around Kyoto. In total across both parts, we provide information for more than 150 sit-down, early morning, breakfast places.
Whether you’re a jet-lagged tourist or a hungry early riser, this guide will help you start your day right.
🏨 Why We Often Choose Hotel Breakfasts
Truth be told, when we travel to a new city, we often eat breakfast at our hotel—and love it. Why?
We can eat early and start our day without delay.
We never have to hunt for a café or get lost before having our coffee.
There’s no need to worry about the weather, lines, or closed doors.
And if you book breakfast when reserving your hotel, it’s often a great value.
A solid hotel breakfast means we can focus our eating adventures on lunch and dinner, when local food scenes really shine.
Bonus tip: Hotel breakfasts are often the fastest and easiest choice—especially for families with kids, picky eaters, or anyone who just wants a calm, predictable, and consistently high-quality start to the day. Some travelers skip them thinking they’ll find more “authentic” food on the street, but that often turns into a frustrating search for toast or eggs at 7 AM. Don’t rule out the hotel breakfast—it may be your most satisfying cultural experience of the morning.
🍳 Getting Oriented: What We Mean by "Breakfast"
Before we jump in, here's what this guide covers: early morning, seated breakfast options. We're talking about places that serve food before 9 AM where you can sit down and eat—not konbini food grabbed on the go. If you're hoping to eat and be out the door for sightseeing by 9, this guide is for you.
What Kind of Breakfast Can You Expect?
You'll encounter three main styles, often blended together:
· Western breakfasts feature familiar items like toast, eggs, bacon, and pancakes
· Japanese breakfasts are more substantial—rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and pickles following the "ichi-ju san-sai" (one soup, three dishes) tradition
· Kissaten breakfasts are found at traditional coffee shops that serve simple "morning service"—typically toast, eggs, salad, and coffee in a retro atmosphere.
Two Essential Tips for Success:
1. Search Smarter: When searching online, try using the term "morning set" (モーニングセット) instead of just "breakfast." That's how many Japanese restaurants label their early offerings.
2. Time It Right: Here's the big one that catches tourists off-guard—restaurants typically stop taking orders 30 minutes before their posted closing time. So if breakfast service "ends" at 11:00 AM, you need to order by 10:30 AM. This cultural norm isn't posted anywhere; locals just know it. The takeaway: Arrive at least 30-45 minutes before the posted end time to guarantee you'll be seated and served.
We aimed for quality and accessibility—so these picks are easy to reach for most visitors.
Okay, ready? Let’s eat!
🔗 National Restaurant Chains
Available in many cities, with 118 restaurants in Kyoto
☕ Coffee & Light Breakfast
Perfect for a quick coffee and pastry or light breakfast before sightseeing
The City Bakery locations offer familiar Western breakfast in Japan.
🥐 City Bakery
Locations: 44 in Japan, 3 in Kyoto
Breakfast Hours: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Tourist-Friendly Locations: (1) 502 Nakauoyacho, Nishikikoji-dori Takakura-higashi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto (in Nishiki Market), and
(2) 569 Nakanocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8032 (convenient for exploring and shopping downtown on Teramachi-dori)
Why We Like It: Our go-to for a Western-style breakfast. Fantastic bread, great coffee, and the pretzel croissant is not to be missed. You will find several cooked options and a wide range of pastries. The location in Nishiki Market has a small Zen courtyard.
☕ Doutor Coffee
Locations: 900 in Japan, 11 in Kyoto
Breakfast Hours: 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Tourist-Friendly Location: 113 Hashimotocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto 600-8011 (near Gion, Yasaka Shrine)
Why We Like It: High-quality fare, affordable coffee, welcoming atmosphere, and a varied menu. Self-service system with an English menu available.
Website: doutorcoffeestore.com
☕ Hoshino Coffee
Locations: 200 in Japan, 4 in Kyoto
Breakfast Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Tourist-Friendly Location: Hoshino Coffee Asty Kyoto is 8-3 Higashishiokoji Takakuracho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8214 (in Kyoto Station)
Why We Like It: A Japanese-Western fusion style café-restaurant with a limited breakfast menu. Wonderful French toast. Please note that some locations serve fluffy pancakes only after 11:00 AM.
☕ Ogawa Coffee
Locations: 36 in Japan; 6 in Kyoto
Breakfast Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Tourist-Friendly Location: 519-1 Kikuya-cho, Sakaimachi-dori Nishikikoji-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8127 (Near Nishiki Market, on the east side of Sakaimachi St., north of Nishikikoji St.)
Why We Like It: Menu items use the delicious bread baked on premises. If you are seriously hungry, we recommend the Charcoal-Grilled Toast Full Breakfast—a hearty plate with thick-cut toast, German-style sausage, eggs, vegetables, seasonal fruits and yogurt. For smaller appetites, there are plenty of choices. Reservations are accepted. We especially enjoy the airy interior that fuses traditional Japanese atmosphere with modern design, and includes a tsubo-niwa garden (small, enclosed garden typical for Kyoto townhouses).
View Breakfast Menu (Click the down arrow to the right of “Morning Menu”)
Website: oc-ogawa.co.jp/shop
🍽️ Pronto Coffee Shop
Locations: 334 in Japan; 2 in Kyoto
Breakfast Hours: 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Tourist-Friendly Location: 33 Toboko-cho, Shijo Karasuma Building, Fukoku Seimei, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto 600-8008 (near Shijo Karasuma station)
Why We Like It: For the lactose-intolerant, Pronto’s Oat Milk is AMAZING. Try the Oat Milk Iced Latte. Good but limited breakfast offerings in a polished, modern setting.
Website: pronto.co.jp
🍽️ Family Restaurants
Restaurants great for families or leisurely meals
Gusto family restaurants in Japan feature basement locations with robot service and multilingual breakfast menus
🍱 Gusto Restaurant
Locations: 1,300 in Japan, 13 in Kyoto
Breakfast Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Tourist-Friendly Location: 2 Shijoomiyacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto 600-8389 (near the Hankyu Omiya Station)
What We Love: A cat robot delivers your food!
Broad selection of Japanese and Western options at family-friendly prices. Fully automated ordering system where you place your order using a tablet; menu is available in multiple languages including English. Very popular with local families. Located in the basement.
Website: skylark.co.jp/en/gusto/menu
🍽️ Royal Host
Locations: 200 in Japan, 5 in Kyoto
Breakfast Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Tourist-Friendly Location: 143 Samegaicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto 600-8337 (Near Higashi Hongan Temple)
Best For Families: Great family restaurant, offers a more Western-style dining experience (featuring pancakes, eggs, sausages, and toast). Cute kids menu.
Website: royalhost.jp
🍚 Japanese Quick Service
These popular national chains specialize in Japanese breakfast sets but also offer Western options like fried eggs, bacon, and sausage. Think of them as Japan's answer to fast-casual breakfast—authentic, affordable, and efficient.
🍛 Matsuya
Locations: 1,080 in Japan, 7 in Kyoto
Breakfast Hours: 8:00 AM
Tourist-Friendly Location: 305 Narayacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto 604-8033. Walking distance to Gion, Nishiki Market, Kyoto's historical district, shopping, department stores.
Why We Like It: Matsuya offers 10 different breakfast sets mixing Japanese (seared salmon) and Western (cheese omelets) options—ranging from ¥350 to ¥720. A great value for a filling, nutritious meal.
Website: matsuyafoods.co.jp
🍚 Nakau
Locations: 470 in Japan, 6 in Kyoto
Breakfast Hours: 5:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Tourist-Friendly Location: Daiichi Civil Engineering Building, 53-1 Higashikujo Kamitonodamachi, Minami Ward, Kyoto 601-8002 (across from Kyoto Station Hachijo Entrance)
Why We Like It: Good breakfast sets for a great price. Orders are placed at a self-service kiosk that has an English interface. Quick service and affordable prices, providing a convenient and budget-friendly breakfast option.
Website: nakau.co.jp/en (To view full Breakfast Menu, click on Menu, then Breakfast Sets)
🍚 Sukiya
Locations: 2,000+ in Japan, 13 in Kyoto
Breakfast Hours: 5:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Tourist-Friendly Location: 109 Hashimotocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8011. (Near Pontocho and Gion)
Why We Like It: Great value for early risers. Offers affordable Japanese-style breakfasts like grilled salmon, AND Western ingredients like fried eggs and bacon. We like that you can order breakfast sets or a la carte.
🍽️ Yayoi-Ken
Locations: 2,000 in Japan; 11 in Kyoto
Breakfast Hours: 5:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Tourist-Friendly Location: Shijo Hirano Building, 716-1-2 Shin-kamanzacho, Shijo-dori, Nishinotoin Higashiiru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
Why We Like It: Yayoi-ken specializes in freshly made teishoku (Japanese set meals typically consisting of a main dish--meat or fish-- miso soup, rice, and side dishes like vegetables and pickles). Free rice refills.
Authentic and budget-friendly Japanese dining experience. The clean, minimalist interior and efficient service make it a reliable choice. Order from a kiosk with English option.
🍚 Yoshinoya
Locations: 1,200 in Japan, 17 in Kyoto
Breakfast Hours: 4:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Tourist-Friendly Location: 59-2 Tachiuri Nishimachi, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto 600-8007
Why We Like It: Quick and affordable, with tasty food—great for early risers or a fast sit-down meal. They serve their standard teishoku (Japanese set meal) options like salmon, natto, egg, as well as ham and egg sets.
🌍 International Familiar
The comfort food option when you need something completely familiar and predictable.
🍔 McDonald’s
Locations: 3,000 in Japan, 20 in Kyoto
Breakfast Hours: 5:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Tourist-Friendly Locations: 610-5 Teianmaenocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto 600-8031 (Great Location on the Main Street of Kawaramachi)
Our Fav Location overlooking the Kamo River and a short walk to Shosei-en Garden, Hoko-ji Temple, Chishakuin Temple: 229 Hiyoshichō, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0993
Why We Like It: Yes, seriously. Sometimes you just want a classic McDonald’s breakfast sandwich, you know? It hits the spot. Of course, there’s hotcakes, great hashbrowns, and a Samurai burger, too. Efficient service and ample seating.
🌅 You're Set for the Reliable Route
There you have it—13 dependable chain restaurants with 118 locations across Kyoto (and thousands more throughout Japan). Whether you need a quick McDonald's fix at 5 AM or want to watch a cat robot deliver your pancakes at Gusto, these chains will never leave you hungry or lost.
But here's where it gets interesting.
While chain restaurants solve the "where can I get breakfast?" problem, they don't solve the "how can I eat like a local?" issue. That's where Part 2 comes into play.
Unlock the full Kyoto guide! Part 2 dives deep into Kyoto's hidden breakfast gems—the family-run kissaten that have been perfecting their morning sets since before World War II, the modern cafés tucked away in converted machiya townhouses, and the neighborhood spots where locals actually start their day. This is where Zen Gaijin's real mission begins: taking you far off the tourist trail to discover the breakfast spots that don't have English signs, don't appear in guidebooks, and definitely don't have cat robots. Part 2: Kyoto's Best Local Breakfast Gems & Hidden Morning Treasures is available exclusively to Zen Gaijin subscribers. 📩 Subscribe for free here to access our complete guide to Kyoto's most authentic breakfast experiences. No cost, no spam, no selling your information—just insider access to the local gems that make travel truly memorable. Because sometimes the best adventures start before 9 AM. |
We hope this guide helps you discover something amazing! This content represents our original research and personal experiences. Please don't reproduce it without permission - we put a lot of love (and early mornings) into creating it. © 2025 Zen Gaijin
