Local tells Top 10 Cafes in Kyoto!Have a great tea time!

Hi,I’m Keiko from Osaka!

Walking around Kyoto, you will come across charming looking cafes all over the city.

Kyoto offers great cafe scenes, from a major coffee chain to a hidden traditional shop.

I will introduce you to some of my favorite cafes, which offer distinct Kyoto characteristics.

Any of these popular cafes can be a tourist destination in itself.

Here are Top 10 Cafes in Kyoto!

Local tells Top 10 Cafes in Kyoto!Have a great tea time!

1.Salon de the Francois/フランソワ喫茶室

Established in 1934, this coffee shop perhaps is one of the most famous cafes in Kyoto.

The European-inspired building stands out amidst the traditional Machiya-styled traditional townhouses in Kiyamachi, and is a registered cultural property.

The interior was designed like a cruise ship.

Salon de the Francois is historically significant, as it originally used to be a place where academics, students, artists and activists gathered to rally against the Japanese government that was increasing displaying the fascist tendency.

Get lost in the history here while you enjoy a great cup of coffee and famous rare cheesecake (non-bake cheese cake).

Salon de the FRANCOIS
Address:184 Sendocho, Shimogyo-ku,Kyoto
Location:3 minutes walk from Hankyu Kawaramachi station
Phone:075-351-4042
Open Hour:10:00～23:00（L.O.22:30）
Closed:31th Dec.,1st Jan.
Price:～1,000 yen
Map

2.Chorakukan/長楽館

: Photo credit: 445g via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Built in 1909 by a business tycoon, Chorakukan was once a guesthouse for VIPs and foreign guests.

It has welcomed movers of the Meiji era as well as numerous foreign dignitaries.

Chorakukan is now a restaurant, café, and hotel where people can enjoy the great architecture as well as historical artifacts.

Cafe offers great afternoon tea options, along with a live piano music.

Why don’t you enjoy an afternoon tea here and a VIP treatment?

Chorakukan is conveniently located in one end of Maruyama Park.

Chorakukan
Address:Gion Maruyama Park,604 Maruyamacho, Higashiyama-ku,Kyoto
Location:10 minutes from Keihan Gion-shijo station,15 minutes walk from Hankyu Kawaramachi station
Phone:075-561-0001
Open Hour:11:00〜19:30（19:00 L.O.）
Closed:Irregular holiday
Price:1,000～2,000 yen
Ohters:You cannot make reservations, but you need to reserve only afternoon tea set.
Map

3.Kissa Soiree/喫茶ソワレ

: Photo credit: amespiphoto via Visual hunt / CC BY-NC-ND

Kissa in Japan means a coffee shop or a tea house.

Kissa Soiree is a photogenic café with a charming retro outer and futuristic blue-lighted interior.

This Cafe was built in 1948 and its romantic interior displays its long history.

The Cafe has many paintings by popular artists, thus has a museum feel to it.

On weekends, people line up outside of the shop, waiting to get in.

The item they are interested is the famous Jelly Punch.

It is so colorful especially in the cafe’s blue light.

Jelly Punch is a soda drink with colorful jelly cubes.

It looks so cute and amazing, definitely instagram-able.

Kissa Soiree
Address: 95 Shinmachi Shimogyo-ku Kyoto
Location:3 minutes from Keihan Gion-shijo station,5 minutes walk from Hankyu Kawaramachi station
Phone:075-221-0351
Open Hour:Tue.-Sun.13:00～19:30(L.O 1F-18:00 2F-18:45)
Closed:Monday(the following day if Monday is a public holiday)
Price:～1,000 yen
Map

4.KANO/喫茶 KANO

If you are taking a stroll around Kiyamachi, I am sure you will be attracted to Kano’s exterior.

The huge windows with the brick exterior look warm and inviting.

Inside, the time runs slow.

You can have a quiet time though the shop is practically in the middle of bustling Kyoto.

From the windows, you can enjoy beautifully lined trees that change their colors every season.

It is within a walking distance from Shimizu Gojo Station on Keihan Line.

KANO
Address:785 Nishi Hashizumecho, Shimogyo-Ku,Kyoto
Location:5 minutes from Kiyomizu-gojo station,10 minutes walk from Keihan Shichijo station
Phone:075-351-2677
Open Hour:Mon-Thu,Sat 7:30～18:00,Sun,Public holiday 9:00～18:00
Closed:Friday
Price:～1,000 yen
Map

5.efish/エフィッシュ

: Photo credit: kojilin via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-SA

efish is a cafe/gallery/shop owned by a Japanese designer.

It is located along the Kamo River.

It is a great coffee shop to just sit and relax with friends.

From their big windows, you can see the Kamo River.

The menu (English menu is available) offers great options for anyone looking for a great cup of coffee as well as a light meal.

The shop also has a great alcoholic menu.

efish
Address:798-1 Nishi Hashizumecho, Shimogyo-Ku,Kyoto
Location:3 minutes from Kiyomizu-gojo station,10 minutes walk from Keihan Shichijo station
Phone:075-361-3069
Open Hour:11:00～22:00(L.O.21:30)
Closed:ー
Price:～1,000 yen
Map

Next,let’s go to the cafe where you can read books!

6.Cafe Bibliotec Hello

: Photo credit: Stephen Kelly Photography via VisualHunt.com / CC BY

This is a unique cafe you must visit while in Kyoto.

It is a book cafe, gallery, and bakery combined into one in a Machiya (traditional Japanese townhouse) style charming building.

You won’t miss this cafe since the entrance has a unique atmosphere decorated with banana and palm trees.

Filled with great aroma of the bakery, this is a very popular place where you can relax or get lost in your reading.

Cafe Bibliotec Hello
Address:650 Seimei-cho, Yanaginobanba-higashi-iru, Nijo-dori, Nakagyo-ku,Kyoto
Location:6 minutes from Kyoto subway Tozai Line Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae station
Phone:075-231-8625
Open Hour:12:00～23:00(L.O)
Closed:Tuesday,Irregular holiday
Price:1,000～2,000 yen
Map

7.Zen Cafe/ゼンカフェ

Zen Cafe is a stylish modern cafe that is located in Gion area.

It is operated by one of the esteemed Japanese sweets makers.

Japanese sweets are usually paired with a bowl of Matcha, bitter green tea.

However, at Zen Cafe, they serve dark coffee that perfectly match with the Japanese sweets.

Kuzumochi (kuzu starch cake) is a must try sweets here.

It is a jelly like mochi, healthy and yet rich.

Zen Cafe
Address:570-210 Gionmachi Minamigawa Higashiyama-ku Kyoto
Location:3 minutes from Gion-shijo station,5 minutes from Hankyu Kawaramachi station
Phone:075-533-8686
Open Hour:11:00～18:00 (L.O.17:30)
Closed:Monday(the following day if Monday is a public holiday)
Price:1,000～2,000 yen
Map

8.Gion Cafe/ギオンカフェ

Gion cafe is another Machiya style cafe, conveniently located near Yasaka Shrine.

It has a modern yet Japanese feel, and extremely photogenic, thus particularly being popular among expats.

There is a small garden in the Cafe, which sets a very relaxing atmosphere.

This cafe has a great lunch menu.

Gion Cafe
Address:484 Kiyoi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Location:5 minutes from Gion-shijo station,7 minutes from Hankyu Kawaramachi station
Phone:075-744-6997
Open Hour:10:00～22:00
Closed:-
Price:～1,000 yen
Map

9.Moan/茂庵

: Photo credit: detsugu via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC

On top of a hill, hidden away from the hustles of the city, Mo-an is a nice relaxing cafe.

It is a perfect cafe to have a relaxing lunch or afternoon tea being surrounded with green.

A nice walk path on the way to the cafe is also a pleasure of its own.

You might want to reserve a seat for a weekend visit, since it is very popular.

Also once in a month, they have a tea ceremony that is open to public.

Moan
Address:On top of Yoshida mountain,8 Yoshidakaguraokacho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Location:Take Kyoto City Bus #5 or #17 from Kyoto Station and get off at Ginkakuji-michi bus stop and walk for 15 minutes
Phone:075-761-2100
Open Hour:11:30～18:00(L.O.17:00)
Closed:Monday(the following day if Monday is a public holiday),17th-31th August,New years days,
Price:1,000～2,000 yen
Map

10.Tsukiji/築地

: Photo credit: boff_hiroshi via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-SA

Tsukiji is a historic coffee shop loved by Kyotonian, established in 1934.

It is known to be the first coffee shop that served a Vienna Coffee (coffee served with a whipped fresh cream on top).

Everyone comes for this coffee here, where the fresh cream is perfectly matched with dark bitter coffee.

Just a warning for those who don’t smoke, it can get a little bit smokey here.

And there is time limit so you can’s stay here for a long time.

Tsukiji
Address:384-2, Komeya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Location:1 minute from Hankyu Kawaramachi station,3 minutes from Gion-shijo station
Phone:075-221-1053
Open Hour:11:00～21:30
Closed:-
Price:1,000 yen
Map

Summary

Top 10 best Cafes in Kyoto

Salon de the Francois・・・Established in 1934, this coffee shop perhaps is one of the most famous cafes in Kyoto.
Chorakukan・・・Built in 1909 by a business tycoon, Chorakukan was once a guesthouse for VIPs and foreign guests.
Kissa Soiree・・・Kissa Soiree is a photogenic cafe with a charming retro outer and futuristic blue-lighted interior.
Kano・・・From the windows, you can enjoy beautifully lined trees that change their colors every season.
efish・・・From their big windows, you can see the Kamo River.
Cafe Bibliotec Hello・・・It is a book cafe, gallery, and bakery combined into one in a Machiya style charming building.
Zen Cafe・・・Zen Cafe is a stylish modern cafe that is located in Gion area.
Gion Cafe・・・Gion cafe is another Machiya style cafe, conveniently located near Yasaka Shrine.
Moan・・・On top of a hill, hidden away from the hustles of the city, Mo-an is a nice relaxing cafe.
Tsukiji・・・Tsukiji is a historic coffee shop loved by Kyotonian, established in 1934.

I hope you’ll have a great time at cafe in Kyoto!

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