Recently, the number of "cafes run by long-established businesses" has been increasing in Kyoto. They have a luxurious appearance, but are more casual than their main stores, and are gaining in popularity. Not only are there restaurants such as traditional Japanese restaurants and Japanese sweet shops, but long-established businesses of various genres are opening new stores. This time, we will introduce some luxurious cafes in Kyoto that are a little more mature.

 

[Gion: Hanbei Kitagawa]

Gion Kitagawa Hanbei opened in January last year (2018) in a Kyoto machiya townhouse just a short walk from Yasaka Shrine.

The famous stone-paved Hanamikoji street, which has now become a popular tourist spot, and the Yayoi Kusama Museum are just a stone's throw away.

This Japanese tea salon is run by the Uji tea wholesaler "Kitagawa Hanbei Shoten," which was founded in 1861, and is a place where you can casually enjoy tea made with the finest tea leaves. During the day, the salon mainly serves tea and sweets, but from 6:00 p.m. it becomes a night cafe, offering an evening-only sweet menu and tea-based cocktails, creating a stylish space with an adult atmosphere.

One of the most popular menu items is "Chayomi," which can be enjoyed day or night. You can compare five types of tea: matcha, sencha, hojicha, Japanese black tea, and Japanese oolong tea, and enjoy pairing each with a bite-sized snack that matches the tea. Even if the tea leaves are the same type, the taste and aroma can be completely different depending on how they are processed.

Business hours: 11:00-22:00 (Evening cafe opens at 18:00, last orders at 21:30)

Closed: Irregular holidays

《電話》075-205-0880

Access: About 6 minutes on foot from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line

 

[ZEN CAFE]

Gion is a place where many tourists come and go. Zen Cafe, quietly located at the back of an alley, is run by Kagizen Yoshifusa, a Japanese confectionery store founded during the Kyoho era (1716-1736) and famous for its kuzukiri (kudzu starch). The fresh sweets served in specially selected dishes and plates are original to Zen Cafe and not sold at the main store. The cafe is also full of attention to detail, using sencha and hojicha (roasted green tea) from the long-established Ippodo Tea Shop. In addition to counter seats with a view of the beautiful garden, there are also seats for single diners in the back of the store, allowing you to spend a relaxing time.

The "Special Kuzumochi" is made with the same kuzu flour as the main store's kuzu-kiri, and is a popular staple with a jiggly texture. The kuzumochi itself has a subtle sweetness, so we recommend trying it without anything on first, and then adding the brown sugar syrup and kinako that come with it, to vary the taste.

Business hours: 11:00-18:00 (last order 17:30)

Closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday)

《電話》075-533-8686

Access: 3 minutes on foot from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line

 

[Fufufuan by Hanbei Fu]

Hanbeifu Main Store is located right next to Gojo Ohashi Bridge. This is a new type of cafe proposed by a long-established gluten shop. Founded in 1689, this specialty store for Kyoto gluten and yuba (tofu skin) uses high-quality water and ingredients to continue the traditional food culture rooted in Kyoto. The cafe "Fufufuan by Hanbeifu", located opposite the main store, offers new and innovative sweets made with gluten, and the sales area sells "Fufufuan" brand products such as "Soup de O-fu", which can be used as a crouton substitute, and chocolate sweets "Kozue". Made from gluten, they keep well and many people buy them as souvenirs to take home.

The popular menu item "Matcha Shiruko" is a colorful dish made with matcha bean paste, and contains millet gluten and sesame gluten instead of mochi, as well as the soft-hued "hana-fu."

Business hours: 10:00-17:00 (last order 16:30)

Closed: Irregular holidays

《電話》075-561-0371

Access: 1 minute walk from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station on the Keihan Main Line

 

[Play Salon de The]

Tawaraya Ryokan is a world-famous, long-established inn that was founded over 300 years ago. Right next to it is Yugata Salon de The, a cafe and salon produced by the 11th generation owner. The restaurant is a renovated Kyoto townhouse built in the Meiji period, and the interior retains the atmosphere of its earthen walls. The counter seats offer a view of the beautiful courtyard.

"Tawaraya's Warabimochi," which is also served as a "gift gift" at the neighboring Tawaraya Ryokan, is the most popular sweet menu item. It is a special dish that does not use any "binding agents" such as sweet potato starch, but is made only from 100% rare genuine warabi powder, high-quality brown sugar, and water. There is no doubt that anyone will be captivated by the flavor and soft, jiggly texture when they put it in their mouth.

Business hours: 11:00-18:00

Closed: Tuesdays (open every day in April and November)

《電話》075-212-8883

Access: About 5 minutes on foot from Kyoto City Hall Station on the Tozai Subway Line

 

[Kaikado Café]

Founded in 1875, Kaikado is a specialty store that makes tea caddies using copper, brass, and tinplate using the same manufacturing methods that have remained unchanged since the store's founding. Kaikado Café, which opened in Shichijo Kawaramachi, is a retro café that was renovated from the former Kyoto City Tram Uchihama overhead line station building, and the store's interior is brimming with attention to detail, with Kaikado tea caddies displayed in glass cases and original tableware made by artisans. Tea caddies are also lined up in the shop on the second floor, and can be purchased.

The popular "Kaikado Cheesecake" is a rich cheesecake specially ordered from Nasu Highlands' "Cheese Garden" and has a cute shape based on a tea caddy. Drinks include a wide variety of drinks, including the original blend coffee of "Nakagawa Wani Coffee" and black tea from London's "Postcard Teas".

Business hours: 10:30-19:00 (last order 18:30)

Closed: Thursdays and the first Wednesday of every month

《電話》075-353-5668

Access: A short walk from the city bus stop "Shichijo Kawaramachi"

 

This time, we introduced a luxurious cafe for adults that is within walking distance or a few bus stops from our VASARA Kyoto Gion store.

Just wearing a kimono will allow you to enjoy a special and extraordinary time, but why not also savor the atmosphere and charm of Kyoto while enjoying carefully selected dishes in a wonderful space?

 

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