4 Recommended Cafes Giving You Unique Experiences in Kyoto City

Kyoto has a unique culture of flexibly incorporating new ideas and things while also valuing the goodness of traditional things that have been passed down from generation to generation. In this issue, with the theme of “newness” in Kyoto, we made research regarding cafes where you can have quirky experiences with which you can’t help being excited like a kid. Since all of them introduced in the article are located in popular touristic neighborhoods in Kyoto, you can stop by during your sightseeing.

Edible straps!? “Shiden Cafe” full of retro-cuteness

In Umekoji Park (梅小路公園) adjacent to ‘Kyoto Railway Museum’ (京都鉄道博物館), you’ll find four tram cars that are just like the ones you often see in movies in the theme of Showa era (1925-1989) placed. Since trams used to be the main transit system in the city of Kyoto up until the 1970s, they remind visitors of the good old times of Showa era. One of the four tram cars is “Shiden Cafe” (市電カフェ, tram cafe) with the ‘Open’ sign. The signature of the cafe is ‘Katakata Tsuriwapan’ (カタカタつりわぱん, thick strap bread) which is shaped just like a strap on a tram. A ring-shaped dough made from additive-free and non-colored bread is baked in breadstick-ish. The more you chew, the thicker you can enjoy the rich aroma of the wheat. The cafe’s soft ice cream made with milk from Miyama, Kyoto is another popular item here.

Opening Hours	10:00AM – 6:00PM　Open All Year Round
Address	Shiden Hiroba 505, 1-15 Kankijicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Access	Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo: A 15-minute walk from Kyoto Station Bus stop which is a 16-minute bus ride away from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae (Kyoto City Hall) Bus stop Hotel Tavinos Kyoto: A 15-minute walk from Kyoto Station Bus stop which is an 8-minute bus ride away from Kawaramachi Gojo Bus stop
URL	https://www.kyoto-umekouji.com/en/gourmet/10.html

Lost in wonderland at “inkcafe”; Monochrome picture book of hand-drawn illustrations on walls by employees

“Inkcafe” just opened in March 2021 in the bustling area of Shijo Kawaramachi (四条河原町) is a specialty cafe of ‘freshly baked 1-minute Kuroffle’ (焼きたて1分クロッフル, hybrid confectionary of croissant and waffle served within a minute once baked). As you step in, you’ll see a world where everything except people and food is in monochrome. The owner’s desire to create a space where reality and fantasy are mixed just like the one in ‘The NeverEnding Story’ is embodied. Surprisingly, all the illustrations on the white wall are hand-drawn by the cafe’s employees. That is why you can enjoy small changes every time you visit, such as the buds changing to petals depending on the season. Why not spend your time in a fairytale-like world while enjoying a freshly baked Kuroffle together with a cup of tea?

Opening Hours	10:00AM – 6:00PM　Open All Year Round
Address	2F, FSS Bldg. 442 Shirakabecho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Access	Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo: A 5-minute walk from the hotel Hotel Tavinos Kyoto: A 6-minute walk from Kawaramachi Sanjo Bus stop which is a 5-minute bus ride away from Kawaramachi Gojo Bus stop
URL	https://tabelog.com/en/kyoto/A2601/A260202/26035610/

“RAU CAFÉ” fascinates you with the ultimate in modeling beauty and the sweets made with carefully selected ingredients

“RAU CAFÉ” on the 3rd floor of the complex ‘GOOD NATURE STATION’ also located in Shijo Kawaramachi is derived from the archaic word ‘rauraushi’ (らうらうし) that refers to ‘noble and beautiful yet refined and cute’. The stone counters are lined with detailed-looking sweets like works of art were so in an art gallery. Not only the presentation but also the ingredients show the commitment of the owner. In particular, the chocolatier co-developed the cacao with Costa Rican producers by visiting small farms in Costa Rica. Enjoy the sweets that combine food and art through your eyes and mouth.

Opening Hours	11:00AM – 7:00PM on Monday through to Thursday and national holidays / 11:00AM – 8:00PM on Friday, Saturday and days before national holidays *Closed irregularly
Address	3F, NATURE STATION, 318-6 Inaricho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Access	Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo: A 9-minute walk from the hotel Hotel Tavinos Kyoto: A 10-minute walk from the hotel
URL	https://goodnaturestation.com/restaurant/rau_cafe/?wovn=en

Picnic with a cup of coffee beside Kamo River empty-handed at the coffee shop “WIFE & HUSBAND” ran by a wife and a husband

If you want to experience a picnic empty-handed beside the upstream of Kamo River (賀茂川 for upstream and 鴨川 for downstream), visit “WIFE & HUSBAND,” a coffee shop ran by a married couple as the name suggests. Though the inside of the shop whose interior is full of antiques is very attractive, why not order ‘PICNIC BASKET’ and get down to the bank of Kamo River when the day is fine? By placing an order of ‘PICNIC BASKET’, you can spend 1.5 hours picnic time for 1,000 yen. The basket provided contains a thermos with coffee, small candies, a mug, a tablecloth, and a hand towel. You can also rent chairs and rugs if you want. Listen to the murmuring of the river and look at the cityscape and mountains, you will feel cool in mind.

Opening Hours	11:00AM – 7:00PM on Monday through to Thursday and national holidays / 11:00AM – 8:00PM on Friday, Saturday and days before national holidays *Closed irregularly
Address	106-6 Koyamashimouchikawaracho, Kita-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Access	Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo: A 4-minute walk from Kitaoji Station which is 4 stations away from Karasuma Oike Station on Subway Karasuma Line Hotel Tavinos Kyoto: A 4-minute walk from Kitaoji Station which is 5 stations away from Gojo Station on Subway Karasuma Line
URL	https://www.wifeandhusband.jp/