Top 10 places to get a taste of Britain in Tokyo

Hobgoblin is the one that everyone knows about, the first English pub most Brits flock to, and one of the key importers of British food in Tokyo. Pub quiz nights and match days bring the pub to life, as football fans gather around the screens with pints in hand. Add the dark green carpets, etched pub mirrors and vintage brewery signs, and you’ll swear you’ve stepped off Japan’s island and right onto England’s. That’s hardly surprising: Hobgoblin Brewery brought the pub’s interior over from the UK.

They, of course, serve Hobgoblin ale, as well as Guinness, Aspall cider and much more. But the menu doesn’t stop at drinks. Like a perfect ‘Spoons, that’s maybe a little bit pricier but worth it for the antique vibes, they’ve got it all. Fancy a tender Sunday roast? Come here, they’ve got plenty of options. Craving a full English breakfast? You’ll find one here. Missing almost anything from home? Don’t worry, they’ve got you sorted.

And when the end of the year rolls around, dazzling Christmas lights twinkle through the pub, making it everyone’s village local.

How about a British supermarket smack bang in the middle of Tokyo? Enter the British Shop. In my first week living in Tokyo, UK expats made sure I knew about this place around the corner from Shibuya Crossing, packed with the essentials: Cadbury chocolate, Jaffa Cakes, clotted cream on scones, English back bacon and cheddar cheese, all under one roof. If you’re not bothered to trek all the way into Shibuya, their online shop will happily do the hard work.

At the back of the shop is a British-style deli serving freshly prepared beef pies, crispy Cornish pasties and piping-hot sausage rolls, alongside an impressive cheese selection. Finish with the shop’s 99 Flake soft serve, complete with a chocolate stick – a taste of childhood for many of us. Imported goods don’t come cheap, but for those craving a breather from Japan, or simply curious about British food, this little shop delivers the goods.

Having visited the UK many times, Tiny Toria’s proprietor Keimoto-san grew fond of the quaint tearooms of the English countryside, and so, using a mish-mash of antique wooden furniture that looks straight out of an English grandma’s home, she created this Cotswold fairytale cottage café. Whimsical trinkets and knick-knacks line the lavender-coloured walls, my personal favourite being the PG Tips sock monkey peeking out from the corner – a friendly face you wouldn’t expect to see around here.

A waitress dressed in Victorian-style maid fashion brings you a finely painted teapot, making your childhood tea parties come to life. Order the afternoon tea (reservations essential) and prepare to tumble down a rabbit hole of fluffy cakes, homemade crumpets and piping hot scones – the only dilemma is whether to spread the cream or jam first. Cake-wise, they’ve got all the classics, including the café’s namesake Victoria sponge.

By the end, you’ll be stuffed and ready to enter a food coma. But if you’re somehow still hungry, they’ve got freshly baked scones to take home, alongside English-themed souvenirs and their own recipe book. Come Christmas, the café gets a delightful festive makeover, perfect for those after a sprinkling of white holiday magic.

Nutty’s Caff brings the charm of a ’60s London coffee bar to Tokyo. Forget dainty afternoon teas, and think builders’ breakfasts with British rock and telly playing in the background. While the corner shelf sits chock-full of Yorkshire Tea and other British pantry staples above the chequered floor, the rest of the café keeps things simple, letting the hearty breakfasts speak for themselves.

Many come for the famous French toast drizzled in maple syrup and pancakes served with crispy bacon and sunny-side-up eggs, but Nutty’s Caff does all types of British breakfasts justice. Whether it’s a full English, cheesy baked beans on toast or buttered toast with jam, every plate is made fresh. Kick-start your day with a cuppa – or, if tea won’t cut it, a Guinness to really get the blood pumping. Either way, you’re doing breakfast the British way.

Hiding within Mr McGregor’s garden, Peter Rabbit greets you warmly into his fairytale café, chomping on a fresh carrot. The interior is Peter Rabbit-themed down to the smallest detail, from little emblems on the teacups, plates and napkins, to the storyboards and illustrations decorating the walls. Don’t even worry about visiting solo: each table has a cuddly Peter Rabbit plush ready to be your tea-time companion, alongside a few of the little books, for those new to Beatrix Potter’s world or those just wanting a bit of nostalgic reading.

Bathing in the sunlight with European music playing in the background may not feel quite like the dreary British experience many of us are familiar with. But this place keeps the best parts of the UK, with a red telephone booth and afternoon tea, which comes with an adorable Peter Rabbit cookie so you can eat him. Even the coffee feels fictional, topped with latte art of Peter Rabbit and his friends. And if you don’t have time to eat – or just don’t want the experience to end – buy a little something at the gift shop to take home with you. They have the cutest teacups and tote bags.

Ever fancied dressing like 007 without the MI6 job description? With British rock strumming softly through the shop, Vulcanize London feels like a Mayfair hideaway, bringing together impeccably tailored suits with English heritage brands and contemporary labels. With their in-house magazine as your guide, mosey through brands like Parker and N.Peal, and, as favoured by the British royal family, Smythson and Fox Umbrellas. It might not make you James Bond, but you’ll certainly look like you know your martini order.

Look beyond the rails and a sweeping photo of an underground escalator stretches down the stairwell, linking the two floors through a snapshot of everyday life in the capital. Should you need a break from shopping, pop into their café to mentally justify that Globe-Trotter suitcase. Then, before calling it a day, go on the Union Jack scavenger hunt – I bet you can’t find their grand vintage Union Jack sofa.

Craving British rock ’n’ roll with hearty pub grub washed down with even heartier pours? Nestled above the streets of Ebisu, behind a heavy iron door, What the Dickens! feels like stumbling through a portal to the UK.

One of Tokyo’s oldest Brit-run pubs, this semi-legendary institution has been thumping away since the ’90s. Inside, the dimly lit, two-storey space unfolds like a rustic Shakespearean theatre, circling the stage with cosy little coves tucked into the corners. Every night, the stage comes alive with British oldies, jazz, comedy nights and poetry readings.

Between the satisfying pub-food favourites and solid selection of draft beers, ales and other tipples to keep you well-watered, make sure you try their buttery apple pie, a slice of Britain in the heart of Tokyo. And if you’re still around for Christmas and feeling the homesick blues, What the Dickens! warmly welcomes you with festive comforts, familiar pints and the unmistakable feeling of an English pub at Christmastime.

Rocking down in Roppongi, a legendary basement is pumping with The Beatles’ music. Leading the show is resident tribute band The Parrots, who famously shared a stage with Paul McCartney himself. This is a venue with a reputation that stretches far beyond Tokyo. World-renowned musicians – Bon Jovi, Sting, Oasis and so on – have made the pilgrimage to meet The Parrots, often joining them on stage before leaving their mark on the wall of fame.

Guests settle in at their dinner tables while the instruments are warmed up, bubbling excitement slowly building. Dressed in suits, The Parrots launch into their first song, their charming voices carrying a wave of nostalgia. Glimmering lights dance to the music as the audience claps and moves in harmony, the room vibrating with the rhythm.

No two nights are quite the same, with request cards keeping the band on its toes, and birthday celebrations inevitably coming with a rendition of The Beatles’ ‘Birthday’. But do yourself a favour and don’t forget to order another round of Guinness or Beatles-themed cocktails between sets, as you sure won’t remember while they’re playing.

Mash Bros’ pie and mash slap. Although the golden puff pastry pies come right out the oven piping hot, they’re impossible not to gobble up straight away. From the creamy mash smothered in garlic butter to the juicy sausage rolls, everything is homemade, ingredients chosen fresh every morning. Plus, you can call ahead for vegan food.

What really sets Mash Bros apart though is the owner and chef, Saad. Anime and Japanese pop culture brought him here and he brought British food with him. His personality is everywhere. Chocolate fingers and Creme Egg packaging is cellotaped to the walls, darts wait in one corner and a retro arcade machine sits in another, making Saad’s spot feel less like a restaurant and more a neighbourhood living room – especially with community events like ‘Queer for Fear’ bringing everyone together. So if you’re after a super chill hangout spot near Shinjuku, just to nerd out and eat smashing food, this is it. At Mash Bros, everyone’s a bro.

The name Full Monty might make some Brits chuckle at the iconic comedy film reference, but ‘the full monty’ also means the whole shebang, the full package – and that’s exactly what this pub delivers, the full British experience. More than that, though, Full Monty is a cider house. As Japan’s oldest, it imports bottles and draught pours from Herefordshire and Somerset, as well as cideries around the world. Since 2004, the lovely fella from London, Clive Poole, and his Japanese wife, Kae Doshin, have made this pub feel like a proper local, always happy to help newbies find the right cider for them.

If you’re making the trip, your best bet’s the weekend, when the kitchen is guaranteed to be in full swing. Tuck into their scrumptious British scran, from classic fish and chips and homemade pies to more outlandish favourites like haggis and Scotch eggs, and settle in for the footy. If you’re looking for an authentic British pub, this is it – a true home away from home.