Cafe Marble Bukkoji

Operating for more than 15 years, the beloved and inviting ‘ Cafe Marble Bukkoji ‘ has been a staple since its opening in July 2007. Nestled within an 120 year old authentic kyomachiya, the café is conveniently situated just a five-minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto Line – Karasuma Station (exit 15). It rests adjacent to Bukkoji Temple, running parallel to the lively Shijo Kawaramachi shopping street, offering a serene escape from the bustling city in a tranquil, quiet street.

Cafe Marble was envisioned by the design team of marble.co, deliberate in their choice of the serene kyomachiya setting. The traditional charm of the kyomachiya remains untouched, with its exterior retaining the characteristic mushikomado, lattice windows and the roof adorned with the iconic Japanese ichimonjigawara rooftiles.

Stepping inside through the sliding door, you’re greeted by a quaint waiting room doubling as a shop area, where Marble showcases an array of goods, gift sets, and tableware. To the left, the kitchen beckons, emitting tantalizing aromas of freshly prepared dishes. What catches the eye is the kitchen’s turquoise counter wall adorned with bold white letters spelling out ‘MARBLE,’ a striking feature that instantly draws attention.

Cafe Marble is a spacious cafe that spans two floors, with access to the second floor by a narrow steep wood stairs and requires customers to take off the shoes before ascending. Downstairs, the café occupies a long, deep space. The former kitchen area on the right features a ‘hibukuro,’ a narrow and tall atrium historically used for releasing smoke and heat from cooking, while allowing light in and preventing fire spread. To the left and at the rear, plush upholstered seating offers a comfortable vantage point overlooking the serene Japanese garden in the back.

Moving upstairs, the second floor presents a Japanese-style section with tatami flooring towards the rear and table-and-chair seating at the front, encircling the ‘hibukuro.’ Openings in this area allow guests to peer down into the ‘hibukuro.’ Adorning the walls surrounding the ‘hibukuro’ are artful renditions of the Marble bear logo.

Cafe Marble has gained its reputation primarily for its delicious daily and seasonal quiche plates created using fresh local ingredients. Additionally, the menu features tempting options such as curry, risotto, and pasta plates. For those with a penchant for something sweeter, an array of delectable tarts is also available. Each dish is meticulously prepared with a focus on ensuring that flavors are savored and appreciated. The café welcomes families with a kid-friendly atmosphere.

Cafe Marble Bukkoji is a cozy cafe, situated in a lovely traditional Kyoto townhouse that sells absolutely delicious lunch and sweets. Make sure to come early because it gets absolutely packed due to its popularity.