HATCOFFEE — Restaurant in Tokyo

I was concerned going here after reading the negative reveiws but after my experience I think the main issue people face is miscommunication. The art was fantastic, 10/10. The coffee was quite good too considering I'm not a fan of coffee, I was plesantly suprised. Things to be aware of: Make a reservation. You need to have a reservation to get in, chances are you will be waiting 2 hours after you make the reservation so plan ahead.

Dont loiter in front of the shop. You will be asked to move/leave (there is a small park a little bit down from the shop). Even if your reservation says you are first in line dont wait in front of the shop until you get confirmation that you are good to go and no longer waiting. Because you will be waiting a while even if it says you are first in line.

Communication: if you dont speak Japanese, be open-minded and patient. They will use a translator to say more complecated information, which is very helpful. But keep in mind that while they may know some of your language they have no obligation to you to speak it (mind you, they may speak some), so be appreciative of their willingness to communicate. Keep in mind that dealing with people who dont speak your language can be frustrating and rather annoying no matter which country you are from or where you are. So if they seem rather blunt or harsh, try not to take it to personal. You will get told to find a seat, and then you go back up to the counter to order, then go sit until it is time to watch your coffee be made

All in all if you have issues with communication it may be a bit stressful at first but...

Title: Disheartening Experience at HATCOFFEE Asakusa: The Worst Encounter Yet

As a seasoned traveler to Japan, having visited the country twelve times, I've had the pleasure of exploring its vibrant culture and sampling its culinary delights. However, my recent experience at HATCOFFEE in Asakusa stands out as the most disappointing encounter I've had thus far.

Walking into the café, I was met with an atmosphere that was anything but inviting. The male staff member's demeanor was startlingly rude, devoid of any semblance of hospitality. His demeanor, reminiscent of a character from a gangster movie, left me feeling as though I had unwittingly incurred his wrath.

Despite my extensive experience as a patron of Japanese establishments, I was taken aback by the lack of basic courtesy exhibited by the staff member. Throughout our interaction, he spoke to me as though I were inconveniencing him, with no hint of a smile or apology for the café being at full capacity and unable to accommodate takeout orders.

Given my numerous visits to Japan, I have come to expect a certain level of hospitality and professionalism from establishments, especially those as popular as HATCOFFEE. However, this experience fell far short of my expectations and left me deeply disheartened.

In conclusion, my visit to HATCOFFEE in Asakusa marked the worst encounter I have had in my twelve trips to Japan. Until significant improvements are made in the realm of customer service, I cannot in good conscience recommend this establishment to fellow travelers seeking a pleasant coffee...

This was the first of two highlights during my 13 day trip! My only warning is to arrive early. They close at 6pm. I arrived just before 5:30pm and they flipped the Open sign to Closed right behind me! They'll show you the menu, ask if you're looking for 2D or 3D latte art. If 3D, they will show you certain rules for 3D, if what you want does not have a strong base (like thin legs) or is too tall, they will not make it. But they can do a 2D version. Other than that, you can choose any animal, character or person and they will create your request! I wanted to do something a little different and cute, so I found a picture of a fennec fox on Google. They said the ears were too tall, but if I didn't mind them shortening them, it can be done. Once we agreed on that, I chose the latte base (honey latte) and a purin (flan) on the side. You pay, get a chit and wait your turn. You will be called up and get to sit in front of the artist as he forms your latte with spoons for the foam and brush for the details. Feel free to ask as many questions as you want! His name is Maa, he has only made 2 fennec foxes in his career and specializes in Pokémon. He roughly makes 100 creations a day, so if you work that out, about 2000 a month and 24000 a year! The finished product is too cute to drink! I decided to sip from the back and the sides making my fox look like it was shrinking back into the cup. For a ¥1200 latte, this was...