Hidden inside the stylish Ace Hotel is Stumptown Coffee Roasters, a spacious café and coffee specialty shop originated from Portland Oregon.

It's located right above Karasuma Line's Karasuma Oike station in a building called the Shinpuukan, which used to house the Kyoto Central Telephone Office but has been renovated into a small stylish complex that now houses cafes, shops, bars, restaurants and hotel Ace.

While the original design of the building was left untouched, the new extension was designed by British architect Richard Rogers and is a beautiful glass and wood building with an inner courtyard that gives the complex a warm atmosphere similar to a European patio.

Stumptown is accessible through the foyer of hotel ACE which was designed by the renowned architect Kengo Kuma. The foyer combines a modern aesthetic with the brick retro exterior of the former Shinpuukan building. The entrance of the café is a large concrete doorway inside the brick wall.

The interior of the café is spacious and combines a transitional style with a mid century style, with a green tiled wall and dark concrete floor that contrast against the light wood kitchen and order-counter. Inside the café are only counter chairs on either side of the café as well as on the elevated level. Besides sitting inside the cafe itself you can also sit in the foyer of hotel Ace that has comfortable sofas with deep seats where you can stretch your legs and relax as well as a long table where you can study and comes with electrical outlets to charge your devices.

Stumptown has a small menu but makes up for it in quality. Their coffee comes from Portland, Oregon and they have espresso, americano, macchiato, cortado, cappucino, mocha, latte, and hand drip coffee as well as hot chocolate and juice.

They also sell delicious pastries like cookies, scones and donuts.

If you are interested in enjoying interior design and architecture while drinking delicious coffee then this Stumptown Coffee Roasters and adjacent hotel ACE is a MUST visit.