Hunting for Japan’s best caffeine-free drinks in these temples to caffeine.
For those looking to limit caffeine intake—whether for health reasons, pregnancy, or simply to ensure restful sleep—it can be particularly challenging when dining out or grabbing drinks on the run. Discovering the available caffeine-free options often requires more than just a quick menu glance. Here, we navigate through the caffeine-free offerings available at three of Japan’s leading coffeehouse chains: Starbucks, Tully’s, and Doutor.
To set the stage, let’s confirm standard caffeine levels. According to the 20202 Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan, coffee has approximately 60 milligrams of caffeine per 100 milliliters (around 3.9 fluid ounces), while black tea contains about 30 milligrams.
It’s important to distinguish between terms: “caffeine-less” typically indicates zero milligrams of caffeine, whereas “decaf” items may still have trace amounts of caffeine. Cocoa and hot chocolate also fall into this latter category, containing small amounts of caffeine, yet generally less than decaf coffee. All caffeine amounts listed pertain to a Medium size.
Key:
★ Limited-time beverage
※ Contains trace amounts of caffeine
● Starbucks
Starbucks excels in offering low-caffeine options, allowing almost all espresso-based drinks to be prepared with decaf (which has about seven milligrams per shot) for an additional cost of 55 yen (US$0.35). They also provide a wide variety of caffeine-free herbal teas and juices, along with seasonal drinks that are caffeine-free, like those found in their Spring 2026 menu.
Regular Menu (milligrams of caffeine noted where applicable)
- ※ Decaf Brewed Coffee (Hot 26 milligrams / Iced eight milligrams)
- ※ Decaf Caffe Misto (13 milligrams)
- ※ Cocoa (16 milligrams)
- Iced Tea (Passion)
- Chamomile Tea
- Mango Passion Tea Frappuccino Blended Juice
- Vanilla Frappuccino Blended Cream
- Chamomile Tea Latte
- Caramel Cream
- Milk
- Kids Milk
- Kids Apple Mix
- Kids Orange Mix
Menu items customizable to Decaf for an additional 55 yen (all contain about seven milligrams of caffeine per shot)
- ※ Starbucks Latte (Hot/Iced)
- ※ Soy Latte (Hot/Iced)
- ※ Almond Milk Latte (Hot/Iced)
- ※ Cappuccino (Hot/Iced)
- ※ Caffè Mocha (Hot/Iced)
- ※ White Mocha (Hot/Iced)
- ※ Caramel Macchiato (Hot/Iced)
- ※ Caffè Americano (Hot/Iced)
- ※ Espresso
Limited-Time Menu
- ★ Sakura Sakuyo Peach Frappuccino Blended Beverage
- ★ Sakura Sakuyo Latte
- ★ Sakura Sakuyo Peach Soda
A standout seasonal treat from Starbucks is the Sakura Sakuyo Peach Frappuccino, a caffeine-free delight that combines a smooth texture with the refreshing taste of white peach jelly and a hint of cherry blossom aroma, allowing customers to fully enjoy it without caffeine concerns.
● Tully’s Coffee
While not all Tully’s locations provide decaf espresso, if you locate one that does, you can have any espresso drink made decaf for an extra charge of 65 yen.
Regular Menu (milligrams of caffeine noted where applicable)
- ※ Decaf Coffee (19 milligrams)
- ※ Cocoa (10 milligrams)
- Mango Tango Swirkle
- Yogurt & Açai
- Blood Orange Juice
- Apple Juice 100 Percent
- Milk
- Kids Milk
- Kids Apple Juice 100 Percent
Decaf-Compatible Store Menu (all contain about four milligrams of caffeine per shot)
- ※ Espresso Shake
- ※ Caffè Mocha (Hot/Iced)
- ※ Salty Caramel Latte (Hot/Iced)
- ※ Honey Milk Latte (Hot/Iced)
- ※ Soy Latte (Hot/Iced)
- ※ Cafè Americano (Hot/Iced)
- ※ Cafè Latte (Hot/Iced)
- ※ Cappuccino
- ※ Espresso Macchiato
- ※ Espresso Con Panna
- ※ Espresso
The Yogurt & Açai beverage on the regular menu is exceptionally satisfying, resembling dessert while maintaining a healthy profile, making it a must-try for visitors.
Tully’s Coffee also operates select tea-specialty stores, known as Tully’s Coffee & Tea, where you can find unique options such as the Rooibos Blood Orange Tea, highly recommended for its delightful flavor profile. It would be a great addition at all Tully’s locations.
● Doutor
Doutor has a more limited overall menu, resulting in fewer caffeine-free selections compared to the other chains. However, some locations do offer “Caffeine-less Coffee,” an excellent option, as the caffeine content is extremely low.
Regular Menu (milligrams of caffeine noted where applicable)
- ※ Cocoa (Hot/Iced both 15 milligrams)
- Rooibos Tea (Hot/Iced)
- Unshu Mandarin Orange Juice
- Tapioca Kokuto Milk
Caffeine-less Store Menu (all contain approximately zero milligrams of caffeine)
- Decaf Coffee (Hot/Iced)
- Decaf Caffè Latte (Hot/Iced)
- Decaf Honey Caffè au Lait (Hot/Iced)
- Decaf Soy Latte (Hot/Iced)
Limited-Time Menu
- ★ Sakura au Lait with Fragrant Yuzu (three milligrams)
- ★ Matcha Warabimochi au Lait with Fragrant Yuzu and Sakura~ (10 milligrams)
The limited-time Sakura au Lait with Fragrant Yuzu is a delightful milk drink flavored with cherry blossom and hint of yuzu (a Japanese citrus fruit), evoking a genuine feeling of spring. However, note that the matcha powder topping does contain a small amount of caffeine, so you can opt to request it without the powder if needed.
Moreover, Doutor’s iced drinks are notably large and affordably priced compared to competitors, making it an excellent option for those seeking a refreshing beverage.
Key Takeaways
- Starbucks provides the broadest range of decaf options among the three chains.
- Tully’s locations may have varying decaf availability; check directly with the location.
- Doutor offers caffeine-free beverages but with a more limited selection.
- Seasonal offerings at these chains can include unique caffeine-free drinks.
- Caffeine amounts are generally lower in decaf drinks compared to regular varieties.
In conclusion, after reviewing the offerings of these three coffeehouses, it’s clear that Starbucks leads the pack with a diverse range of decaf and caffeine-free options. Tully’s and Doutor may require some additional legwork to locate decaf versions of their beverages, but all three chains present enjoyable caffeine-free alternatives for consumers.
FAQ
What does “decaf” mean?
Decaf, or decaffeinated coffee, still contains a small amount of caffeine, unlike caffeine-free drinks which have none.
Are seasonal drinks caffeine-free?
Some seasonal drinks can be caffeine-free, but it’s essential to check each item for caffeine content.
How can I customize my drink at Starbucks?
Most espresso drinks can be made decaffeinated for an additional fee at Starbucks.
Do all Doutor locations offer caffeine-less options?
Not all Doutor locations have caffeine-less coffees; availability varies by store.
