Meikyoku Kissa Lion: Classical music, classic Tokyo

Meikyoku Kissa Lion is one of the city's remaining classical music cafés -- places where Tokyoites once gathered in great number to listen to the newest LPs. Now the café tends to attract a more select crowd of devoted classical fans. For laymen, however, Lion is the perfect place to find a few minutes solace from the usual Tokyo chaos.

Many customers just come to enjoy the anachronistic environment. The building dates from the mid-1920s and feels like an abandoned dining car from the Orient Express.

The drink menu is also pleasantly quaint, offering not cappuccinos and lattes, but straight-up coffee, 'milk egg' and hot 'orange-ade.' (We don't know what those are either.)

Meikyoku Kissa Lion's soothing atmosphere makes it a great place to get work done, but remember: no talking. Waiters whisper and expect the same level of volume control from the customers. Meikyoku Kissa Lion is a great café for 'me time' but obviously not the best spot for first dates or meetings.