Top 5 Kyoto-like town house cafes to stop by while shopping

The best part about traveling is shopping for the special things that can only be bought at your destination. But going around looking for those things, you get tired easily… and when you get tired you want to rest a bit at a relaxing place. And if that place would happen to be tasteful and great that would be even better. I think many people must feel this way.

This time I’m going to introduce to you five cafes just like that, where you can take a break from all the shopping at a Kyoto-like town house café. These cafes are all close to the major shopping areas of Kyoto, so how about taking a break at them?

KAWA CAFÉ looks fashionable inside too! The retro black and white pictures on the wall were all taken in Kyoto in the past. Through them you can look into the past of the Kamogawa River and the bridge over it, so looking at them is interesting.

Café Marble Bukkouji is a retro café in a renovated old town house on Bukkoji-dori Street (the third parallel street from Shijo-dori Street). In a building that screams Kyoto town house, this café with the vivid blue sign is Café Marble Bukkouji.dori Street (the third parallel street from Shijo-dori Street). In a building that screams Kyoto town house, this café with the vivid blue sign is Café Marble Bukkouji.

Even though the café is located in a machiya town house, it doesn’t feel old but the modern interior with the antique furniture create a fashionable space. This café is great for a girls’ night out and couples both young and old. 

The tarts at Café Marble are really delicious so many people also buy them to take home. After walking a lot while shopping, how about taking a break at the Café Marble where time flows slowly, and have a cup of coffee and a piece of tart. 

This café I’m going to introduce next, BEL AMER Kyoto Betteri Chocolat BAR is on the fashion street of Kyoto, Sanjo-dori Street, among many clothing and zakka stores. 

The chocolate specialty shop of BEL AMER Kyoto sells chocolate on the first floor, and on the second floor they have their café. It’s great how they have left many of the historic features of town house like the maple tree intact. 

The only BEL AMER with a café is right here in Kyoto! For a break from shopping, or even with a reservation, this is a café you have to visit. 

The fourth café is Umezono Café & Gallery famous for their matcha pancakes. This store is a sister store of the long established Japanese sweets café Umezono. This café aims to create a new type of space, a fusion between café and an art gallery. 

Umezono is most famous for this matcha pancake. The pancake that is made after you order it, and it’s exceptional. 

Eating this pancake topped with brown sugar butter and anko red bean paste with chopsticks is Umezono Café & Gallery style. This café is a 10-minute walk from subway Shijo Station so how about visiting after a day of shopping?

Lastly I’m going to introduce the Hawaiian café Fukumimi. The café is by a narrow street called Aneko-ji Street, but it’s also a 5-minute walk from subway Karasuma Oike Station and a 10-minute walk from Nijo-jo Castle so access is good.

The town house Fukumimi is located was built 100 years ago, and retains its Kyoto-likeness while having tropical things like palm trees inside. The café mixes Japanese and western influences well and creating a mysterious atmosphere. 

I recommend you have this pancake when you take a break! On top of the soft and piping hot pancake there is whipped cream and strawberry sauce, which is sure to make you satisfied both with its taste and portion. This pancake can also be shared among friends.