tōno coffee project

Love Tōno! I call the white coffee as the feel-good-coffee. Love the subtle, light, and balanced sweetness of it, which I can drink anytime of the day (unlike the super strong Vietnamese coffee.) The owner, I think 🤔, is quite friendly and making small talks to the customer with his gentle soothing voice. There's no restroom available as it's like a pop-up shop, but the tiny bar is very well-kept and super clean. The atmosphere was calm at 9am. Easy parking on the street as well. Definitely come back for the matcha next time!

It does only one thing, and that is coffee which is great for coffee purists. It’s located in the lobby of a residential building, so there isn’t much space indoors to sit, but they have some chairs and tables outside, which is nice on a clear day. The menu is super simple. You can either choose coffee or coffee with milk or non-coffee drinks. I got the ice latte, which is simply espresso and oat milk and then sweetened with simple syrup. I asked for flavours but did not have any and they also did not ask me my choice for milk which makes me assume that they do all the drinks with oat milk, which is not a problem for me at all. The latte was super creamy and smooth. My only issue with the latte was that it wasn’t strong enough for me. I probably would have liked one more shot of espresso. Although this is my fault because I probably could have asked for it in the beginning, but I just assumed that it will be pretty strong. Had a lovely chat with the barista, who is very welcoming and patient. I think this place is really good for people who enjoy “coffee” coffee and not coffee based drinks like I do. Also, the prices are super reasonable.

Tōno is a pretty cool little spot to grab a coffee. Not a huge selection of stuff, but given that it’s kind of a popup situation, that’s to be expected. What they do have is quite nice, however. The latte was delicious, and the PB&J rice crispy treat was quite good as well. Definitely recommend checking this place out. Do check their IG for hours, though. Google seems to be showing this place as being temporarily closed, but as of writing this, they aren’t.

My favorite local coffee shop that my partner and I go to every weekend. Their drink menu is limited but they're all expertly crafted. We like to get the White, Extra, and Matcha Oat Latte. They also sell exotic-flavored chocolates which we try every week. The owners are kind and friendly. I love this coffee shop so much ❤️

It’s such a cozy spot! As the gentleman at the register takes your order, the lady beside him is already prepping—so efficient! The coffee tastes like heaven. We tried several other highly rated coffee shops nearby, and this place easily comes out on top. With the warm service and excellent etiquette they have, there’s no doubt their business will keep growing.

Excellent coffee, coming from someone who is a bit picky. Perfect flat white ratio of milk to coffee. Unique in house pastries that are not too sweet. I have tried the Korean cheese bun, green bean casserole pie, and chocolate chip walnut cookie, oatmeal raisin rum cookie. Parking can be tricky since it’s close to the center of Japantown and there aren’t much indoor seating options. That said this still currently my fav coffee place out of the ones in the area.

I don't know if this was the worst cup of coffee I've ever had but it's in the running. I ordered hot black coffee from the limited menu. I was served a cup of very thin lukewarm coffee. The consistency and color were akin to green tea. On the plus side, the space is cozy, warm and inviting. The line was short and moved quickly

It’s a pop-up coffee shop, seemingly set up inside an apartment building — there’s no indoor seating, but my friends and I sat in the apartment lobby. Hopefully we didn’t make too much noise! I ordered a white (espresso with oat milk), which was pretty good, though there don’t seem to be any milk alternatives. The barista was super friendly and made a real effort to chat with each guest and make everyone feel welcome.

This is seriously some of the best coffee around! Was happy to find out Tono has a brick and mortar store now, inside the lobby of Exhibit J Town Apartments. It's a small spot but very chic and modern. Their menu is simple with only a few options that are done very well. Their coffee has a unique and distinct taste. They usually have a few baked goods as well. The barista was very friendly and knowledgeable. There's a few couches since it's an apartment building lobby, but most people get their coffee to go. Will definitely stop by any chance I get whenever I'm near Japantown!

Tiny & quiet coffee shop tucked away in the corner of SJ's Japantown with friendly baristas and no frills. The drink menu consists of three coffee options as well as matcha & hojicha. We went on a Saturday afternoon; there didn't seem to be a ton of parking by the shop in the residential area, but it is a short walk from the main downtown area with paid parking. We got the extra (coffee+chocolate milk) and a sweetened hojicha latte. The drinks were made quickly and tasted great-- very simple and straightforward. With nothing to hide behind, you can tell the drinks are well balanced and that there's a lot of care put into making sure they're good. They have interesting pastries with an asian twist that I'll need to try more of. We only got the persinamon muffin this time, but it was moist, lightly spiced with persimmon chunks and a yummy crumble on top. They also have fun miscellaneous items (chocolate, coffee beans, dried fruit, etc.) to purchase that often change. I bought the Monsoon roasted strawberry chocolate malt balls and Fossa duck shit dancong chocolate (rest assured, despite the name, there is no poop involved). Both on the pricier end at $16 and $14 respectively but are novelty items that did end up being enjoyable. If you enjoy coffee without tons of sugar pumped in (don't get me wrong, Starbucks has its time and place!), Tono coffee project is the place for you.

Easily the best coffee in Japantown, San Jose! I think I've visited Tono at least 10 if not 20 times now. Convenience plays a big part, but the coffee and service is what really keeps me coming back. The menu is simple and straightforward with just a few options -- Black - coffee only White - coffee + milk (my personal favorite and go-to) Extra - chocolate, coffee, + milk (when I'm looking to switch it up) They also have matcha and hojicha latte options, all of which are great! Their baked goods are all made in-house and of the items, I've only tried the Korean Cheesy Bun, but I absolutely love it and get it almost every time. Maybe I'll get tired of it one day and then I'll be ready to try the other bakery items! The location is almost like a semi-permanent pop-up out of Exhibit J Town Apartments. Not a lot of seating, just a few inside and a few outside, but a cute and charming little locally-owned spot.

I've visited Tono Coffee Project a couple of times recently, and I'm consistently impressed. It's such a charming little spot, offering a straightforward coffee selection and some really interesting snacks that are a nice complement to their drinks. What stands out the most is the staff; they're always incredibly friendly and very helpful when it comes to making recommendations, which is great for someone like me who isn't always sure what to order. The coffee itself is good quality, and I also appreciate that they have a small outdoor seating area, perfect for catching up with friends over a coffee and a chat.

Love visiting Tono when I'm in Japantown! Small spot, easy to order with no frills. I usually opt for coffee + milk or matcha + milk (both sweetened)! Their hojicha is also really good. They make their drinks quickly and sometimes have beautiful latte art so service is top tier. The taste def shows that they use quality ingredients! There's some seating indoors and outside too. It's next to an art shop/studio so it's nice to walk over and check out their items

I would come here again when it's a slow day Pros Really affordable matcha and expresso at a nice apartment lobby Everything tastes high quality Cons Not enough space inside the store. The cashier is the batista so it might result in some wait time

4.5 Located in Japantown, might be hard to find parking. It was initially hard to find because it is in an apartment complex. I love the simplicity of this spot. Very simple menu, which is nice for indecisive ppl. There is black, white, and extra on the menu. If you're not a coffee person, there is also matcha and hojicha. My friends and I got the hojicha, extra and white drinks along with two pastries to share. Every thing was amazing, I will def be back!

[REVIEW WRITTEN: 17 Nov 2025] This pop-up-ish is EPIC. Great neighborhood addition! The deets: + Set up is outside on sunny days. For colder days, they set up in the lobby of the Exhibit at JTown Apartments. + All drinks with the option of milk use OAT MILK. No dairy available. + My fave is the matcha latte lightly sweetened! + Pastries and chocolate are available to pair with their excellent coffee. + Owners are rad and very personable. Staff are friendly and the team is always asking how your day is going. + For hours of operation, check out their IG: https://www.instagram.com/tonocoffeeproject/ + Will sometimes make an appearance at JTOWN Farmer's Market (May - Oct) (https://www.japantownsanjose.org/sunday-farmers-market)

Tono Coffee is tucked around the corner next to the railroad tracks, but it's a cute space with little chocolates and coffee beans for purchase. There was a few seats inside but I believe outside they have more seating in a sectioned off area with plants and murals. There was just one person working and he was very friendly and talkative to all the customers. I like that the menu is very simple and straightforward. My friend ordered a sweetened "white" and I got the sweetened matcha latte, and their only option is oat milk. The matcha was okay, it was batched for a squeeze bottle because I'm guessing their main focus is coffee, but it was overpowered by the taste of the oat milk. I didnt try the coffee but my friend said it was good!

I've been trying to go to the little place for the longest time!! I didn't realize it was on the other side of Japan town by the new tall condo building with a beautiful murals and a little Parkside dog run!! There's also a cute local gallery, seventh empire over here as well! This café was actually inside of the condo/liming community but open to the public. I ended up getting an iced Matcha latte with oat milk, and it was perfectly mixed and tasted delicious! I also got one of their almond cookies, and it has the perfect almond taste to it! Not overwhelming, but not so fat I couldn't taste the almond within the flavor itself!! My friend got the roasted Matcha, hojicha and it traditionally does not come with sugar so she asked if they could add a little pump of simple syrup and she loved her drink also!! We were very impressed with this cute quaint little coffee shop, as well as their customerservice and unique drinks and the mural was beautiful to look at outside while we got to play catch-up! We will definitely be back and next time we'll just walk since it was two blocks up from the Manju shop. We thought it was farther away so we drove on Accident. Lol.

Wonderful hidden lil caffeine pick me up spot with unique snacks! There's not a lot of parking in this area depending on what time you come but def worth checking out. Lots of cool artwork nearby as well for some aesthetic photos if you'd like. There's not much seating inside though but that's fine if you weren't planning on coming here to do work. It's inside an apartment complex (lucky for the people who live there) and the owner was super friendly. He's the only person working so he takes one order at a time and makes your drink on the spot quickly! When we got there I thought they only had coffee drinks, since the menu on the wall only had 3 coffee drinks, which is pretty cool for those who are indecisive! When i got to the front of the line, I saw a paper menu showing they also had some teas so i opted for a Hojicha since i was in a tea latte mood at the moment. I asked for light sweetness which he accommodated and it came out perfect and a nice pick me up for the day! Very cool pop-up spot to check out :)

Quite a unique coffee shop located out by the front lobby of an apartment complex right next to an art gallery. Menu selection is quite limited so I chose the iced milk chocolate comes in one size for a mere $5 nothing really special. Exact change is required or pay by debit/credit card. Appertizers are very slim which they had more to choose from. Staff very friendly and attentive they do have a great outdoor seating and parking is along on the residential street just a walking distance from Japantown. It would be nice if they were open seven days a week and extend their hours.

The menu is straightforward, and the drinks are simple but very customizable to your liking. I ordered the white with less sweet- I liked how it automatically came with oatmilk. The drink was refreshing and had a good balance of milk and coffee. I enjoyed the simplicity of the drink! The space feels like a good spot to catch up or take a short break. There's not a lot of seating, but perfect for a quick pause in your day.

If I opened a cafe, I'd want my menu to be as minimal yet customizable as tono coffee project. It's tucked in an apartment complex in Japantown next to an art gallery and you can either get a water-based "black", milk-based "white", or chocolate milk-based "extra" at whatever ratio you'd like. I got a white at a latte milk ratio. The coffee is toasty and subtly sweet and they only offer Oatly oat milk which was a bit strong, so I'd probably try a 1:1 ratio next time, but I still really enjoyed my drink! The barista was sooo friendly too! There's no bathroom or WiFi but there's some outdoor seating and some couches inside that make it a great place to sit and yap.

Super cute little shop in an apartment complex! I'm so jealous of the tenants that can get good coffee right in their lobby. It's a one-man team but he is very friendly and efficient. I got an iced matcha drink and my partner got a hot coffee. We took it plain w no milk/sweetness and it was very tasty. I would definitely come again! There's a few sitting areas outside but it is very small. There's street parking but you may have to search a little since there's a few apartment complexes nearby.

Came across this place via social media. I didn't know it was a pop up concept inside an apartment complex, but it was nice, clean modern look. There is seating outside in the shade and inside there's a long couch and 2 chairs. There's no restroom but you can go to the grocery store that's about a block away. The menu is straight forward which I believe helps customers out. The drinks automatically come with oat milk. The menu on the wall is the original menu, but they had a special menu where the matcha was added. I ordered an iced matcha w/ a bit of sweetener and my boyfriend ordered the black coffee. Simple easy. I think because the matcha is premade, it loses a bit of the taste, but it was still good. The barista was friendly and approachable. They greeted us when we walked in as they were helping a customer. Whenever we're in SJ again, we will be back!

I visited Tono coffee project for the first time a few weeks ago. Their concise menu and reasonable prices are refreshing in comparison to other cafes, which sometimes have an overwhelming list of options. I ordered the White, which is essentially a latte - this was on the lighter side compared to what I'm used to. There is also the option to add some sweetener if desired. Staff are outgoing and will make conversation if it's not too busy. While there is indoor and outdoor seating, tables are small so I would not recommend coming here to study or work. Street parking is available, but otherwise there isn't a parking lot. The coffee was 4/5, but giving an overall 5/5 for the vibes, menu, prices, and kind staff. I'll be back on weekends to try out Tono again!

I've been to Tono a long time ago when they were in Palo Alto! One day they disappeared so I did always wonder where they went. Then realized they opened this next little pop up location here in Japantown! I like how simple their menu is and how affordable their drinks are. Or maybe I'm overpaying elsewhere but I got a white (latte) and a bar of chocolate for $9. Decor is also super cute!

We got the iced chocolate + coffee (Vietnamese chocolate syrup, buncho honey coffee and oat milk). Flavor is balanced and good for an afternoon pick me up. It's a one man show, you have a to wait a little bit if there's a line.

Beautiful pop up in the Exhibit Japantown apartment complex. The entire building inside and out serves as an art exhibit, including the latte art of tōno. Simple menu, straight forward prices, amazing artistry and service. I got the iced "extra", which is chocolate milk + coffee. It was well balanced and not overwhelming in either direction but coffee resonated over the chocolate which I loved. Mochas often miss that mark. Highly recommend following them on instagram to check out their schedule and content: @tonocoffeeproject

Finally checked out this small popup tucked inside an apartment building! The person working said they've been around for about 2 years and having another location around east side SJ soon. I got the matcha with oat milk, pretty authentic matcha flavor Not too sweet. It was okay, not sure I'll come back

Very cute coffee shop in San Jose! The menu is small (which honestly I prefer) so it's easy to choose what to order. The barista is very kind and knowledgeable about the drinks. I will note that this is not a place to come and do work if that's what you're looking for, but that aside it's a very good coffee shop with good coffee and reasonable prices.

vibe is kinda cute! really quiet inside tho menu is nice & simple (I didn't get a pic of the matcha options oops), but it's basically plain coffee, coffee w milk, or fancy coffee aka mocha lol same w matcha - plain matcha, matcha w milk (idr if there was a fancy matcha) bonus points bc it's all oat milk for my fellow TUMMY OWWIE people brew was nice but I would expect nothing less from a properly calibrated la marzocco the girl there was super nice too forgot to take a picture of the dried wax apples I got, but they were good - I 100% prefer the real wax apples from Taiwan but those are SO HARD to get here got a lil bag of coffee beans for $24 but the beans were diff darkness - so it tasted a lil strange when we did a pour over

It's nice to have a new option for coffee in Japantown! I visited Tono Coffee Project right when they opened, which was relatively late (9 AM). This location was in the lobby of a luxury apartment building, and only had one staff member operating it. The menu was also tiny with only three options for coffee - Black, White, and Extra. I decide on an Iced Extra (coffee + chocolate milk) because it was the most interesting option. They also had some merch, chocolate, and coffee beans for sale. Service was quick and super friendly - the guy at the counter was chatty and very knowledgeable. The Extra was nice, and tasted exactly as expected. Would probably return!

Brian was super kind. We ordered a coffee and tried the matcha, and we felt the coffee was better. Definitely a spot worth checking out! They make great use of the space they have.

Tono coffee project is an absolutely darling little coffee pop up that is really passionate about their product and really knows their stuff -- so much so that they have just three menu items. They use oat as their one and only milk, which I thought was quite unique but proved delicious! I usually spring for soy or dairy milk, but the oat had a perfectly creamy and not to heavy nature to it that really complemented the fresh coffee well. The staff were the highlight of my visit. They shared with me that they've been in business for seven years but at this location for just one. They were extremely friendly and kind. The location is a bit tucked away and perfect for an early morning coffee walk. Parking is only on the street, so you may have to be a bit patient, but it is well worth the wait. I will definitely be back!

Only two reviews?! WHAT? You'll find some of the best coffee in the best Bay Area at this coffee pop up! My husband and I love making weekend morning coffee runs to Tono Coffee Project. They used to pop up in Palo Alto (and had the legendary Love for Butter pastries) but now they're popping up in San Jose close to Japantown. I hope they start partnering with pop up bakers again because it was always great to get a two in one! They only have three options (technically six since each drink can be made iced or hot) - black, white, and extra (chocolate milk + coffee) but you can't go wrong! Bryan is frickin' awesome!

I first encountered Tono Coffee Project at a pop-up event in Downtown San Jose, and safe to say - I LOVED my experience. Not only were the drinks were tasty, but the baristas are so, so kind! They're super accommodating and friendly, engaging regularly with customers both new and old. My order was the "Extra," which is a cup of hot chocolate with coffee for $6. It is exactly what you think it is: rich, chocolate-y sweetness, with the extra kick of espresso. Perfect for a cold, sleepy winter day! Bonus points for the latte art -- a lovely touch they add to every customer's beverage (besides black coffee, of course). Looking forward to our next encounter, Tono!

I've seen Tono in Palo Alto but never got the chance to go. Pretty excited when it popped up in Japantown SJ and have been a handful of times. I've gotten their white, extra, and matcha which are all reasonably priced (Around $4-7). Overall my favorite is the white with a bit of sugar. They also carry one of my favorite chocolate brands Fossa so I tend to buy them whenever I visit. There's some seating outside and it's all street parking. Owners are super nice and they're only opened from Thursday to Sunday.

A nice little take away coffee shop. The coffee shop owner is so friendly and he made very good coffee. It's very smooth, strong coffee flavor and not bitter at all.

Well, there's not much to say considering it's a tiny shop that only sells coffee and tea drinks, and I just wanted a to-go coffee, but the hot Americano I ordered was truly fantastic. It was way more aromatic than most American I'd I've ever had. Clearly freshly roasted, lightly roasted, and just tasty. It had almost a cocoa flavor to it. Outstanding coffee work all around by the barista.

Tono Coffee Project is an oasis of ease and art in Japantown San Jose. The coffee is delicious and coffee menu carefully curated to focus on the quality of the brew and experience of enjoying it; whether inside or outside on the simple and lovely patio. The coffee makers have a clear vision they've brought to life in this space; they are friendly and personable, and Tono Coffee enhances this artful corner of Japantown.

I've had this place bookmarked to try. My daughter eats a plant based diet,and for her coffee she likes oat milk. Based on the limited hours it's hard to make it here. It's a small pop up in the corner of a lobby. I usually get my latte with regular milk,but today I got it with the oat milk. It gives it a creamy, slightly nutty flavor. It wasn't bad. I definitely would have liked a bigger cup,but the barista said that they only have one size for hot drinks. They only serve espresso based drinks.Also no regular milk, only Oat milk.

Brian and Seth are really kind and make great coffee! I enjoy black coffee and the "filter" black coffee was very smooth. Definitely recommend.

Best coffee in Japantown. Yes I said it. I lived in Japantown for close to 10 years. The whole time I tried liking the "other" coffee spot everyone raves about but after like 5 tries I gave up. Resorted to driving all the way to Philz. Tono moved in in my last year of living in Japantown. We initially discovered them at the Japantown Farmers market. I was soooo happy to have found them but also super sad when I had to move. I'm in Rose Garden now but still make the drive to Tono to get some coffee. They make some great quality coffee and their matcha is also good. The owners are super sweet and we enjoy making the drive to continue supporting them.

Small but upscale coffee place next to an art gallery in a modern apartment building. Friendly barista and very high quality coffees, snacks and chocolates. Benches and chairs outside. Couches inside. Always my first stop when I come down to San Jose!

Boutique coffee shop with friendly personal baristas and great coffee - what more can you ask for. Nice and quiet with seating both inside and outside - a pleasant space to enjoy a good cup of coffee. Ordered a cappuccino with an alternative sweetener called dates. A bit pricey but the quality was commensurate with what I paid for. Definitely would come here again when I'm in the area.

Tono takes you to a place of solace, and sincerity. It's a relaxed experience, with a dialed in expertise. Absolutely amazing coffee and the best people you'll meet.

They've been open at this location for around a year now, located inside the Exhibit apartment complex. First tried Tono at palo alto, and glad to see they have a SJ location now. Nice owner, smooth coffee, not super acidic, would come again. I got the White coffee with some sugar.

Recently moved to JTown and discovered Tono last week while walking my dog. Stopped in this morning & will def be back. Appreciated the vibe from owners & warm atmosphere and enjoyed the cup of Joe!

Best coffee ever! Located in a very cool building in Japan Town. I really appreciate how everything the coffee shop is super organized and clean. They also sell Fossa chocolate!

I got the iced matcha no sugar or milk, AMAZING! I plan on coming back to this coffee spot!

Love this coffee pop up! Used to go to the one in Palo Alto and so happy this one is closer! Simple menu for easy ordering, good price point, and quality is always consistent. Hours vary but seems to generally be open Thursday - Sunday. Has become my go-to caffeine pick me up spot, hope they stay at this location!