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With so much to explore in Kyoto—from the iconic Bamboo Forest to its many temples and shrines—you’ll surely need some help to keep up with your busy Kyoto itinerary. So here are some of the best coffee shops in Kyoto for both great coffee and beautiful design!
Visiting coffee shops while traveling can come down to the simple fact that you need a little pick-me-up. However, for me, visiting the local coffee shops is also part of the travel experience.
Even with specialty coffee shops looking relatively similar around the world, Japan knows how to make coffee shops stand out.
From Tokyo’s top coffee shops tucked away in the heart of Shibuya to Osaka’s cafes the size of a walk-in closet. There is something unique about coffee shops in Japan.
And with their incredibly consistent preparation of drinks, the unique and stunning minimalistic designs, and gorgeous zen gardens to admire as you sip on a latte, visiting coffee shops in Kyoto will feel different than in any other place in the world. Believe me.
After having lived in Osaka for three months, and visiting Kyoto multiple times, I have compiled this list of some of the best coffee shops in Kyoto with both great coffee and beautiful design, for the coffee and aesthetics lover.
These are spread all around the city, to make sure you are never left un-caffeinated while you are exploring beautiful Kyoto!
Best Coffee Shops In Kyoto For Coffee And Design Lovers
To make things easier for you, I will categorize my favorite Kyoto coffee shops by area. So you can plan your perfect Kyoto itinerary for the day, and then check the list to see what great coffee shop is near you—that’s how I tend to function when I’m out and about.
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Ogawa Coffee Sakaimachi Nishiki in Central Kyoto
Ogawa Coffee is a beautiful and elegant coffee shop set in Central Kyoto, just a few steps away from Nishiki Market.
With a dark and minimalist vibe in the front and a cozy, wood-paneled room in the back with a garden view, this coffee shop is a paradise for design lovers.
Luckily, besides being a gorgeous location, this is also one of the best coffee shops in Kyoto for delicious coffee and an extensive food menu. Perfect to visit at all times of the day.
We visited this spot multiple times and the one thing that kept me coming back for more was their delicious Kujo green onion and shirasu egg sandwich. *Chefs kiss!* But honestly everything we tried was delicious.
Don’t miss out on their pudding, it’s so good!
Blue Bottle Coffee Rokkaku in Central Kyoto
If you have read any of my other coffee guides, you know by now that I am a big fan of Blue Bottle Coffee. I have never had a disappointing drink from Blue Bottle while in Japan or South Korea, which says a lot, considering how often I go.
Besides their constantly perfect coffee, what makes this one of the best coffee shops in Kyoto for coffee and design lovers is its stunning location.
Set inside a beautifully restored machiya, a traditional wooden townhouse, this coffee shop has a one-of-a-kind vibe with its mix of traditional architecture and modern cafe vibes.
You can order on the first floor and then head upstairs to a beautiful room, with wooden interiors and minimalist design. There is plenty of seating space, but grab a sit by the window if you can. Perfect for people-watching and enjoying the rhythm of this cute neighborhood.
Without a doubt one of the best coffee shops to visit in Kyoto for coffee and design lovers!
Stumptown Coffee Roasters in Central Kyoto
After having lived in Portland for a while with our touring show, I was so excited to find out that there is a Stumptown Coffee Roasters location in Kyoto.
The location is set inside the beautiful Ace Hotel, with sitting space extending into the gorgeously design lobby, making it a good place to get some computer work done.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters is one of the best coffee spots in Portland, and their Kyoto location maintains the same high standards, serving delicious coffee made to perfection with the beans they roast themselves.
A coffee shop worth checking out in Kyoto for both great coffee and beautiful design!
Cafe Bibliotec Hello! in Central Kyoto
This Kyoto coffee shop, as the name hints, is filled with books, providing the coziest library atmosphere with dim lighting and a peaceful view of a small garden at the back of the shop.
At Cafe Bibliotec Hello! you will find a decent brunch menu, including pastries, salads, and tasty sandwiches. The coffee is good, not the best one out of all the other ones on this list, but the vibes kind of makeup for it.
This cozy Kyoto coffee shop is tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood, which is a nice excuse to explore a different area of the city and see a little bit more off-the-beaten-path.
Definitely one of the best coffee shops in Kyoto for a cozy atmosphere and lots of space. We were there on a rainy day and it was just the perfect setting.
Master-piece Coffee Kyoto in Central Kyoto
This Kyoto coffee shop was high on our list, but for some reason, we kept missing it when it was open. We were determined to catch it one day, and we were so happy when we finally did!
Master-piece Coffee Kyoto is a hidden gem, tucked away at the back of a retail shop. As you walk in, you’re greeted by a stunning Japanese garden. You can grab a seat at the low bar and enjoy your morning coffee while taking in the peaceful view.
Besides their tasty coffee and gorgeous design, one of the top reasons we wanted to visit this specific coffee shop was for their incredibly-looking egg sando. And let me tell you, it tastes the way it looks!
This is without a doubt one of the best coffee shops in Kyoto to visit for great coffee, beautiful design, and also a great breakfast!
We sadly, visited this cafe on one of our last visits to Kyoto, if not I would have definitely come back a couple of times.
Elephant Factory Coffee in Downtown Kyoto
Located in the heart of downtown Kyoto, you might think that you will inevitably come across the Elephant Factory Coffee, however, you would be wrong.
Tucked away behind the bustling Kawaramachi-dori Street, you will only find Elephant Factory Coffee if you are actively looking for it, and if you are a coffee lover, I would highly recommend you do it.
This off-the-beaten-path coffee shop specializes in pour-over coffee, with not much else on the menu. So not a great option if you are more of an espresso-based drinker, but you can always ask for some milk to add to your coffee.
I am more of a cappuccino or latte drinker, but it was fun to try something different, especially doing it somewhere where I know is going to be good.
You get to choose the kind of beans you want based on your favorite flavor profile. The place is snug, with only just a few seats, tucked away from the bustle of the street, making it a perfect place to slow down during your trip and enjoy the coffee and the cozy cafe vibes.
Blue Bottle Coffee Kiyamachi Cafe in Downtown Kyoto
As previously stated, I am a Blue Bottle Coffee fangirl, and there’s another of their locations worth noting in Kyoto, their beautiful riverfront location set inside the Rissei Garden Hulic Kyoto.
The Blue Bottle Coffee Kiyamachi Cafe is one of the best coffee shops in Kyoto to add to your list due to its central location, making it the perfect pit stop for when you are out and about exploring Downtown Kyoto.
Make sure to try their mocha, is one of my favorite ones ever!
% Arabica Kyoto Higashiyama in Gion District
% Arabica is a Japanese specialty coffee chain that’s gained popularity around the world, even though its locations are still quite limited. Luckily, you can find them in Kyoto, where the brand is originally from(!)
Besides being known for its carefully crafted drinks, % Arabica is also recognized for its minimalist and classy design—an all-white aesthetic with gold accents. It’s truly a dream come true for both coffee and design lovers!
This location in particular is a great coffee shop to add to your Kyoto itinerary as you will surely walk past it on your way to visit the iconic Hokan-ji Temple and the unmissable Kiyomizu-Dera.
While in Kyoto, make sure to try their tasty Kyoto latte.
% Arabica Kyoto in Arashiyama
Another must-visit % Arabica location to add to your maps is the one in Arashiyama. Which might be one of the most popular coffee spots in all of Japan—and for good reason!
With its unbeatable location right beside the scenic Katsura River, this % Arabica location is one of the most unique spots to order a coffee, as you directly see the river behind the barista taking your order.
Because of this unmatched location, you can expect people lining up for it. But to be fair, most things worth visiting in Japan will have queues anyway, so try to arrive a little bit early and you should be fine.
We arrived fifteen minutes before opening time—at 9 am—and it wasn’t too bad.
Still, it’s absolutely worth visiting if you are in the area and want to enjoy a great coffee with one of Kyoto’s most stunning views!
Bread, Espresso, and Arashiyama Garden (Espresso &) in Arashiyama
Lastly, one of the best spots to add to your Kyoto itinerary is Bread, Espresso, and Arashiyama Garden. Especially if you are visiting the Bamboo Forest and Tenryu-ji Temple during your trip.
Set inside an impressive 210-year-old thatched-roof house in the heart of Arashiyama, complete with a tatami mat sitting area, this unique cafe is a gem to Japanese design lovers.
Here you will find an extensive brunch menu consisting of tasty paninis, pastries, and some toast variations. Making it the perfect spot to grab brunch and a great cup of coffee after exploring all of Arashimaya’s must-visit attractions.
From the popular Japanese coffee chain to the tucked-away cafe, these are some of the best coffee shops in Kyoto, offering both delicious coffee and unique vibes.
I hope you found this Kyoto coffee guide helpful and I hope it keeps you caffeinated while you explore this beautiful city.
Is coffee shop hopping part of your travel itinerary or do you just stop anywhere to pick up a coffee and go? Let me know in the comments. To know if we can be friends or not. Just kidding.
Kind of.