Japanese cafes
January 23, 2023
A list of traditional Japanese kyomachiya, kominka, nagaya, sentou renovated into cafes.
Last updated: 2023/03/28
“T’is the season to be jolly, falalala lala lala.” Nope! It’s not Christmas season we are talking about, but it definitely ranks as one of THE most important and popular seasons in Japan. It’s of course……
Cherryblossom Season!
Please note that many of these cafes are of course extremely popular to visit during the cherryblossom season so come early or expect some waiting times.
On a 5 minute walk from Esaka station is ‘Triproom’, a lovely café located in front of Esaka Park that opened its doors in November 2020.
Located in Kitahama is the popular Spectacle bar & cafe. Even though its located in the middle of a business district you will still be able to see and enjoy some cherry blossoms from the cafe.
The best seats are counter seats on the second floor in the back. However there is also a table on the third floor with a window looking down on the cherry blossom but come early because this café is very popular.
Cherry blossom not pictured here「update planned」
Located on a 7 minute walk from either Temmabash or Minami Morimachi station is this pet friendly cafe called ‘R J Earl Jay café’.
The cafe is sits along Minamitenma park and has a retro & cozy interior.
It serves coffee and ice-cream in edible cups, with ice creams you will also receive an edible spoon.
During cherryblossom season you will have a nice view from the café or you can take out and eat/drink at the park in front of the café.
2022/03/29 Well, the cherry blossoms are not clearly visible from the first floor cafe as the trees are located behind the small tennis-court so you will have to go outside and visit the park which is right across the street, however you will definitely have a nice view from one of its hotelrooms upstairs, IF you are a guest that is.
Amore Kiyamachi sits along the Kamo river and with seats both in the front and the back of the café it offers a lovely view over cherry blossoms on either side of the café.
Murmur Coffee is a cozy cafe located along the narrow and shallow Takase river that flows parallel to the Kamoriver.
The river has cherry blossoms trees that are hanging over the river, so especially in the Spring season when the cherry blossoms are blooming it’s great to have breakfast or lunch at this café with the doors open and have view over the beautiful cherry blossoms.
Brown Eyes Coffee is located along the famous Philosopher’s path in North-East Kyoto, one of the most popular cherry blossom locations in Kyoto.
The window seats on the second floor have a beautiful view over the cherry blossoms right in front of the café that you can enjoy while having delicious coffee.
Granted, it might not be directly in front of you, but very nearby and surrounding ‘Bread, Espresso and Arashiyama Garden’s café’ are many cherry blossom trees.
This entry is a bit more special because there are various types of cherry blossom trees growing in this area and further around Arashiyama.
The weather is getting warmer, which means that Kawama, located along the Kamo river will be opening it’s doors in the back of the café so that customers can enjoy a panoramic view over the river side.
In cherry blossom season this means you will be able to view the beautiful cherry blossoms blooming on the other side of the river.
Blue Bottle Coffee Kiyamachi cafe near Kawaramachi station is located right next to the Takase canal which has a long row of cherry blossom trees.
When you are sitting inside the cafe (especially the sofa seat) you will have a beautiful view over the cherry blossom trees outside.
In the green is a spacious cafe/restaurant, located right next to Karasuma’s line Kitayama station and partially inside Kyoto Botanical Garden.
Right next to the restaurant is a field with cherryblossom trees that when blooming is a lovely sight while having lunch.
Inside the restaurant there are 3 sections as well as some outdoor seats.
The cafe is extremely popular so we highly recommend coming early or to make an appointment.
Lignum is a stylish cafe located on a 5 minute walk from Higashiyama Station.
Right in front of Lignum, across the street are a row of cherry blossom trees that can be viewed from inside the cafe.
Cafe & Restaurant Cava is a cozy restaurant located to the north of Kyoto on a 15 minute walk from Karasuma Line’s Kitayama station.
It has big windows and faces the Kamo river that has a cherry blossom trees lined up on the riverbank. Making for a scenic view while eating delicious lunch.
Is this cherryblossom? We can’t confirm yet but it definitely looks promising. Growing in the front of the popular sweet-potato flavored sweets café RanRan in Minami-Ibaraki is this last year planted cherryblossom tree. There might not be many flowers on it yet but give it some time and you will be able to enjoy RanRan’s super delicious sweets outside while this beautiful cherryblossom tree is blooming.
A list of traditional Japanese kyomachiya, kominka, nagaya, sentou renovated into cafes.
Located in one of the oldest cities of Japan. is this modern-style cafe called Chami, a bit out of place but not in a bad way.
