Kissa Kishin

Kissa Kishin is a brand new stylish cafe located in East Kyoto’s Higashiyama ward. It’s located on top of a slope at the end of a quiet alley, on a fourteen minute walk from Keihan Line’s Shichijo Station behind the Kyoto National Museum and Toyokuni Shrine.

Kishin stands for zen but its literal meaning is joyful mind, with that Kissa Kishin wants visitors and customers to connect with its local culture and food and take home the spirit of Kishin.

The café sits in a renovated Japanese building that used to be a large dollshop. During the renovation the building was split up in multiple sections of which one is the large (kitchen) cafe/restaurant, (bedrooms) three sections have become rentable rooms for guests and one (living room) section that makes place for Poj Studio and its classes .

Kissa Kishin’s menu consists of 5 plates (Kissa Kishin Kyoto “Signature Breakfast”, Weekly special Sandwiches & Soup, Homemade Granola, Kishin’s Koji Bread with homemade jam and Grilled Omusubi (Brown Rice Balls with Japanese style soup.) Each of the dishes is prepared carefully with fresh locally sourced ingredients and the presentation looks absolutely amazing. There are also additional dishes available like Fried Potatoes, Organic Sausages, Vegetable Soup and much much more.

Kishin also has a large variety of drinks like Kishin’s original coffee, Japanese black tea, Matcha Oat milk latte, Seasonal home made soda and more. Some of the dishes are vegan friendly or gluten free, for more info please ask the staff.

The cafe opens early in the morning at 07:30 AM and is conveniently located near Kyoto’s National Museum, Chishakuin Temple, Toyokuni Shrine and of course with their lovely partner’s shop Poj makes for a great outing. Poj studio also offers Kintsugi classes that will cost 6000 yen for two hours.

Kissa Kishin is a absolutely wonderful café with fantastic food, a beautiful interior and a comfortable atmosphere. If you are visiting Kyoto this place is a must-visit.

More info here:

Staffpick – Kissa Kishin Kyoto