Michikusa Gurus
A delicious treat after visiting a temple. 7 sophisticated cafes in front of the gate in Kyoto

As the words "Monzen-chaya" (teahouse in front of a gate) and "Monzen-gashi" (sweets in front of a gate) suggest, resting and enjoying a sweet treat after visiting a temple or shrine is an indispensable treat for Japanese people. Even as times have changed, this has not changed. Here we introduce seven sophisticated cafes that can be found near temples and shrines in historic Kyoto. We hope you will add these cafes to your travel itinerary.

Enjoy a lunch full of the bounty of the earth in Ohara village where the air is also delicious!

Today's Lunch
Today's Lunch" 1,200 yen. The photo shows an example of one day's menu, including ratatouille, cold pumpkin soup, and grilled beef shoulder.

At the foot of Mt. Hiei, the village of Ohara has a peaceful rural landscape. KULM," located on a path along the clear waters of the Takano River, is a café recommended for a break during a trip to Sanzen-in Temple, Jakkoin Temple, and other historic temples in the area.
Renovated from an old warehouse of a former pickle shop, the interior has a cabin-like atmosphere filled with the warmth of wood, and the background music is the murmuring of the river and birdsong. Visitors can spend a leisurely time while enjoying a lunch plate made with fresh local Ohara vegetables.

Take a leisurely snack break with homemade desserts and coffee.

The restaurant's interior is impressive with its large old beams. In front of the entrance is a panoramic view of the fields, and in front of the counter seats is the clear stream of the Takano River.
The restaurant's interior is impressive with its large old beams. In front of the entrance is a panoramic view of the fields, and in front of the counter seats is the clear stream of the Takano River.

The owner of KULM was trained at an Italian Restaurant and other restaurants, and then ran a popular restaurant with his brother. The owner of KULM has been trained at Italian restaurants and other places, and his brother used to run a popular restaurant. Each dish is deeply delicious and satisfying. It is no wonder that the restaurant has many repeat customers.
For dessert after dinner, we recommend the "pudding-style cheesecake. As the name suggests, it is a rich cake with the visual appearance of pudding, and goes well with drip coffee from Kyoto's Uffu Coffee, which sells fair trade beans.

Michikusa's expert comment
On the lawn next to the store, there is also terrace seating on a wooden deck. When the season is good, you can eat your meal outside while overlooking the Takano River.
KULM
  • Address 117 Raigo-in-cho, Ohara, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto MAP
  • Direction 3 min. walk from "Ohara" bus stop by Kyoto Bus.
  • Business hours 11:30 - evening *Evening cafe 17:00 - 22:00 (reservation required)
  • Closed Closed on weekends and holidays
  • TEL 090-9234-0770
  • Parking None

Experience the deliciousness of domestic fruits with a beautiful parfait!

Left:
Left: "Wazukucha Parfait" 1,800 yen, Right: "Kitano Labo Original Fruit Parfait" 1,650 yen

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, known by the nickname "Tenjin-san," is dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, the god of learning. Right in front of the large Ichino-torii (first shrine gate), the store with the lovely red door is Kitano Labo. The store specializes in confiture and syrups made from domestic fruits, which the pastry chef says he met by visiting farmers all over the country. The patissier offers about 10 kinds of parfaits and drinks made with seasonal fruits. The gorgeous visuals are a must-see that will make you sigh in admiration.

The store interior, lined with colorful bottles, looks like a jewelry store!

Elegant red-colored interior. Bottled confiture and syrups are all additive-free.
Elegant red-colored interior. Bottled confiture and syrups are all additive-free.

One of the specialties is the "Wazuka Tea Cafe," which is covered with a chocolate dome that resembles a tea field in Wazuka, one of Kyoto's tea-producing regions. When warm matcha sauce is poured over the top, the dome cracks open to reveal a landscape of satoyama with berries and hojicha (roasted green tea) jellies.
The "Fruit Parfait," filled with seasonal fruits, is also popular. The rich sweetness and refreshing aroma of "Setouchi mikan" confiture accentuates the sweet happiness that lasts until the very last bite.

Michikusa's expert comment
The fruits purchased from the store are mostly close to the original variety, so you can enjoy the original acidity and sweetness of the fruit. Please visit there as well.
Kitano Labo
  • Address 914 Bakuro-cho, Ichijo-agaru, Gozen-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto MAP
  • Direction 6 min. walk from Keifuku (Randen) Kitano Shiraume-cho Stn.
  • Business hours 12:00-18:00 (L.O.17:30)
  • Closed Monday and Tuesday (open on national holidays)
  • TEL 075-496-8777
  • Parking None

Enjoy a relaxing time on the terrace with a spectacular view of the Fushimi Inari forest in the background. Enjoy a relaxing moment on the terrace with a spectacular view.

Terrace seats facing Yashimagaike Pond of Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. Feels like being in the mountains!
Terrace seats facing Yashimagaike Pond of Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. Feels like being in the mountains!

Fushimi Inari Taisha is famous for its thousand torii gates, and the entire 233-meter-high Mount Inari, where the shrine stands, is the object of worship. The "Oyama Meguri" tour, which takes about two hours from the foot of the mountain to the summit, is an enjoyable way to visit the shrine and take a walk in the forest.
Vermillion Cafe is located on the back approach to the mountain on the way back from the Oyama Meguri tour. There is a terrace with a large wooden deck, beyond which the forest of Fushimi Inari Shrine stretches. Don't miss the beauty of fresh greenery, cherry blossoms in spring, and glossy autumn leaves in fall.

Melbourne-style coffee and food are also popular.

Vermillion Brunch
Vermillion Brunch" inspired by the Australian breakfast "Big Breakfast" 1,400 yen (with drink)

The interior, decorated with vintage furniture and brick walls, is based on the concept of a café in Melbourne, where the owner lives between Japan and his two bases. The coffee is also made in the local style, with a special flavor that combines a clear acidity with a chocolate-like richness. The coffee is roasted by Weekenders Coffee in Kyoto.
The "Vermillion Brunch," an Oceania-style breakfast, is a great way to recharge your energy for your trip. This hearty set includes poached eggs, herb-scented roasted potatoes, and sausages from Fushimi butcher store "Iwaya".

Michikusa's expert comment
This is a hidden café that cannot be found simply by following the tourist route along Omotesando Boulevard. If you are heading to the store from the shrine grounds, turn left on the road immediately after the shrine office and exit to the back approach, which is easy to find.
Vermillion Cafe
  • Address 5-31 Fukakusa Kaidokuchi-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto MAP
  • Direction Approx. 6 min. walk from Inari Sta. on JR Nara Line or Fushimi Inari Sta. on Keihan Line
  • Business Hours 10:00-16:00
  • Closed Wednesday
  • TEL 075-644-7989
  • Parking None

The freshly made texture is impressive. Try the exquisite warabimochi in a sukiya-style mansion.

Warabi Mochi
Warabi Mochi" 1,300 yen. Slightly sweetened, but also delicious with a drizzle of Hateruma's Kuromitsu (molasses), which is served separately.

Shimogamo Shrine, one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto, is a World Heritage Site. Saryo Hosen is the perfect place to take a break after touring the lush green shrine grounds. A 10-minute walk from the northwest approach to the shrine, Saryo Hosen is run by Hosen-do, a Japanese sweets store that has been a favorite in Shimogamo for more than 70 years.
Founded as a store specializing in cooking azuki (sweet red beans), Hosen-do is particular about the ingredients it uses. The famous warabi mochi is made by kneading rare domestic warabi flour after receiving an order. The smooth, smooth texture and comfortable elasticity can only be obtained by freshly making it. The smooth texture and pleasant elasticity can only be obtained by freshly making the mochi.

The Japanese garden, which changes its expression from season to season, is also beautiful.

The cool summer room (usually from June to September) is decorated with sliding doors. Outside of summer, the room is decorated with sliding doors to create a warmer atmosphere.
The cool summer room (usually from June to September) is decorated with sliding doors. Outside of summer, the room is decorated with sliding doors to create a warmer atmosphere.

The building of Saryo Hosen is a residence built over 100 years ago in the sukiya style. From the dignified gate to the interior design, every detail is aesthetically pleasing. The Japanese garden can be viewed from every room, so the time spent waiting for your order to be ready can be spent with a sense of contentment.
In Kyoto, there is a culture of "changing fittings." In summer, when the heat is intense, the fittings are replaced with cool "misu" (bamboo blinds) and "reed doors" (reed screens), which allow air to flow through and block out the light. The garden is also beautiful in the fall when the leaves turn red, and in the winter when it is softly covered with snow. Please visit in each of the four seasons to feel the change of the seasons.

Michikusa's expert comment
Within the precincts of Shimogamo Shrine is the tea store Saruya, run by Hosen-do. Here you can taste the shrine's traditional "sarumochi" (monkey rice cake), zenzai made with the finest Tanba Dainagon azuki beans, and Uji kintoki shaved ice (available only in summer).
Saryo Hosen
  • Address 25 Shimogamo-nishi Takagi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto MAP
  • Direction 3 minutes walk from Shimogamo-higashi-honmachi bus stop by Kyoto City Bus.
  • Business hours 10:00-17:00 (L.O. 16:30)
  • Closed Wednesdays, Thursdays, Year-end and New Year holidays
  • TEL 075-712-1270
  • Parking Yes (8 cars)

A tea salon where you can find hints for enjoying Japanese tea

Chamyo Setsudaira,
Chamyo Setsudaira," a fluffy rice cake topped with thin tea, is 1,430 yen. Gyokuro and thin-skinned steamed buns, a seasonal combination, are also available.

It is a 5-minute walk from Nandaimon (South Gate) of To-ji Temple, a World Heritage Site. A renovated 100-year-old merchant's house, "◯MA-MA" is a tea salon that introduces the free way to enjoy Japanese tea and the diverse culture that spreads from there.
A popular menu item here is "Samyo," a Japanese-style confectionary topped with tea. Mochi rice cakes filled with clove-infused brown sugar bean paste are served with matcha green tea, or fresh green tea is poured over lemon-scented kuzu manju (kudzu manju). Even after the skin has softened and the red bean paste has melted like oshiruko (sweet red bean paste), it is still delicious. The unique appearance, aroma, and texture of the tea stimulates all five of the senses.

Cherish the time you spend drinking tea in a chic atmosphere.

The tea room has a high ceiling and is decorated with clay walls, old fixtures, and antique furniture.
The tea room has a high ceiling and is decorated with clay walls, old fixtures, and antique furniture.

Good tea is also good to eat. I wanted people to enjoy tea without being bound by rules, so I invented ochazuke sweets," says the owner, who also has a deep knowledge of the tea ceremony. By appointment only, a casual tea ceremony experience is available at the bar counter. A wide variety of Japanese teas are available, mainly green teas from various regions of Japan, as well as Japanese black tea and domestically produced Chinese tea.
The interior of the restaurant, with its impressive pillars, beams, and clay walls that have been carved over time, has a tranquil and serene appearance that makes you feel at home. Enjoy a cup of the finest tea while listening to the sound of the kettle boiling.

Michikusa's expert comment
The original building used to be a charcoal wholesaler. The original building was a charcoal wholesaler that was also used as a pawn shop, and you can feel the remnants of each era everywhere. The selection of tea utensils is also wonderful. Art and music events are also held to enrich your "time with tea.
Ma-Ma
  • Address 59 Nishi-Kujo Hinagi-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto MAP
  • Direction 5 minutes walk from Toji Station on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line
  • Business hours 11:00-17:00
  • Closed Wednesday
  • TEL 075-748-6198
  • Parking None
  • Memo Reservations are required; please use the reservation form on the website or call.

The taste of "Tarte Tatin" passed down from grandmother to granddaughter.

Tarte Tatin and Coffee Set
Tarte Tatin and Coffee Set" 1,397 yen. The taste is recognized by the Association of Tarte Tatin Lovers in France.

The Okazaki area is home to the Heian Shrine and many art museums. La Vature" is a café that is well-loved in this town and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2021. The signature item on the menu is tarte tatin, a traditional French pastry made with apples. It was first created by the previous generation, who fell in love with the tatin they tasted in France. Today, the recipe is passed down to the second generation, his granddaughter.
More than 20 apples are used for each tart, and after simmering for 4 hours, the tart is covered with tart dough and placed in the oven. The sweetness of the fruit is concentrated in the cake, and the deliciousness of the cake will make you smile.

Each time you visit, you will find a different apple flavor.

The store is tastefully decorated with retro tile flooring and antique furniture.
The store is tastefully decorated with retro tile flooring and antique furniture.

At La Vatueur, which offers tarte tatin throughout the year, you can enjoy the changing flavors of the apples depending on the season. In addition to the standard Fuji and San Fuji varieties, there are also tarte tatin comparison sets made with three other apple varieties, including the juicy "Merci," an extremely early variety, and the sweet and sour "Cox, Orange, and Pippin.
The white and blue exterior and the spacious interior with antique furniture and sofas make it look like a Parisian street corner café. Enjoy your tea time in a chic atmosphere.

Michikusa's expert comment
There are two other types of cakes: "Opera," a French chocolate cake, and "Walnut Tart," a traditional Swiss pastry with caramel and walnuts in the cookie dough. Take-out is also available.
La Vature
  • Address 47-5 Entonbi-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto MAP
  • Direction 5 min. walk from Kumano Jinja-mae bus stop by Kyoto City Bus.
  • Business hours 11:00-18:00 (L.O. 17:30)
  • Closed Closed on Mondays and irregular holidays
  • TEL 075-751-0591
  • Parking None

Even the ice container is a work of art. Shaved ice from a long-established ice store in Gion

Shaved ice filled with fresh orange fruit and juice:
Shaved ice filled with fresh orange fruit and juice: "Shaved ice with fresh squeezed orange" 1,000 yen. Peach and pineapple flavors are also available in summer only.

Located on Shimogawara-dori in Gion, at the foot of Yasaka Shrine, this café-bar is run by the fifth generation brothers of Morita Himuro Honten, the oldest ice store in Kyoto, established in 1883. The pride of the shop is its shaved ice, which is made from ice that is slowly frozen over a 72-hour period. This is served in ice vessels that are hand-crafted by artisans who shave ice cubes by hand.
The flavors are mainly fresh fruit "nama-squeezed" and Uji-kintoki, etc., with the aim of "letting customers simply taste the deliciousness of ice. The ice is free of impurities and hard and firm, with a smooth taste. It melts softly on the tongue, leaving a refreshing aftertaste.

At night, the restaurant transforms into a stylish bar. Amber-colored whiskey served on round ice.

The cafe bar is located in a machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse) two doors down from the Morita Ice House. Sofa seats by the window with a view of the tsuboniwa garden are the best seats in the house.
The cafe bar is located in a machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse) two doors down from the Morita Ice House. Sofa seats by the window with a view of the tsuboniwa garden are the best seats in the house.

Shimogawara-dori Street, where the store is located, connects the south gate of Yasaka Shrine and Yasaka-no-to, a landmark of the area, with many tasteful ryokan and ryotei. There are also many traditional Japanese inns and ryotei restaurants along the street. You can relax in a calm atmosphere.
If you have good quality ice, you will want to experience fine sake on the rocks. At night, it becomes a bar, where you can enjoy whiskey and Kyoto-made craft gin. Distilled spirits served on pure round ice are exceptional. Please take a look at both the daytime and nighttime faces of this long-established ice store.

Michikusa's expert comment
Since the ice cube is shaved by hand, no two are alike. Thanks to the coldness of the ice cube, you can enjoy the cool and fluffy ice until the very last bite.
Gion Shimogawara page one
  • Address 435-4 Kamibenten-cho, Shimogawara-dori Yasaka-torii-mae-gamoru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto MAP
  • Direction 12 min. walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line
  • Business hours 11:00-18:00, 18:00-24:00
  • Closed Wednesday
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.