Sumire Coffee

‘Sumire Coffee’ (instagram.com/sumire.coffee) is a coffee stand that opened on July 12, 2025, about a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Station. In the back of the cafe sits an archaeological company that excavates sites in Kyoto, which also inspired the concept of the coffee stand. The name Sumire comes from “Sumire Shoten,” a tobacco and sweets shop once run by the owner’s grandmother in Nara Prefecture. It is also the name of a flower, which serves as the cafe’s logo, tying together family history and symbolic charm.

A traditional Japanese house over 100 years old was partially renovated to create the space for both the archaeological company and the coffee stand. The design blends a nostalgic Japanese ambiance with modern touches. The exterior retains the charm of a classic townhouse, while the facade showcases playful ingenuity that reflects the excavation company’s identity. The cafe’s standout features are its historical concept and sense of fun, from displays of excavated artifacts to art cookies shaped like haniwa (terracotta figures from the Kofun period) and clay figurines.

The menu offers a variety of items perfect for breakfast or a light meal. Drinks include coffee, café au lait, iced coffee, lemonade, and smoothies. Coffee floats topped with homemade vanilla ice cream are both eye-catching and delicious. For food, there are buttermilk scones, handmade haniwa and clay figurine cookies, and sandwiches made with fresh vegetables from a nearby greengrocer. Everything is carefully handmade, adding to the coffeestand’s warmth and character.

As a coffee stand that blends the familiar charm of a café with a touch of history and discovery, Sumire Coffee makes any peaceful moment near Kyoto Station feel a little more special.