Things to do in Kyoto: Top Kyoto Cafes in Kawaramachi & Gojo Areas

Two of the most popular places in Kyoto for sightseeing and shopping are Kawaramachi Street and an area nearby called Gojo. We could recommend you an entire list of things you’ll want to do there. Apart from lots of shops and shrines, there’s the Kyoto Samurai Ninja Museum, the Kyoto International Manga Museum and the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden where the Kyoto Imperial Palace is located. We think all of them are must-sees, but this article isn’t about sightseeing and things to do in Kyoto.

We know shopping and sightseeing can be exhausting. Sometimes you need to sit down, take a rest and refuel your energy levels before continuing. For that reason alone, you’ll be pleased to discover that the Kyoto cafe culture is second to none. And believe us, the Japanese sweets they serve in Kyoto cafes are such delicious treats you’ll struggle to decide which one, or more, you are going to indulge in. There are so many and they’re all so good. We’ve rounded up local favorite Kyoto cafes in the Kawaramachi and Gojo area, perfect to stop by while sightseeing.

murmur coffee kyoto is one of our favorite Kyoto cafes to go to when it’s cherry blossom season in Kyoto. It’s located right next to the Takase River (Takasegawa River),  which is lined with cherry blossom trees. This modern cafe has huge, almost panoramic, windows so even indoors, it almost feels like you’re sitting outside. It’s a superb spot to practice hanami in Kyoto while enjoying bite of a Kyoto dessert or cup of fresh coffee. The cafe is very popular for this reason, so be sure to get here early to make sure you have a good spot for viewing the cherry blossoms.

If you’re looking for a brunch spot in Kyoto then you’ll love murmur coffee kyoto. They make an incredible sweet toast from thick slices of bread topped with honey or marshmallow spread as well as French toast with ice cream. Their coffee is first class as well. If you’re looking for a Kyoto cafe with delicious food, delectable coffee, and a view too good to be true, be sure to make time to visit!

The name of this Kyoto cafe may mislead you into thinking it has a zoo-style décor, but you’ll be surprised to find this cafe has a classic and almost retro feeling interior. Kissa Giraffe has an old fashioned atmosphere, but one that’s totally different to SHIN-SETSU. Think comfortable elegance that’s not over the top and you’ll have the right idea.

We go to this Kyoto cafe for their reasonably priced lunch dishes and the pudding. The Neapolitan noodles are really tasty and so is their pudding. The pudding is similar to a crème caramel with a set custard base and a caramelized sugar topping. What makes it so special is an extra ingredient that the owner keeps secret. See if you can figure out what it is when you try one. If you do, let us know because we’re still guessing!

Walden Woods Kyoto in the Gojo neighborhood is a complete contrast to the omo cafe. Rather than traditional Japanese dark wood, everything inside this Kyoto cafe is bright white and the furnishings are what you can definitely call minimalist. The cafe’s concept is based on a novel, Walden, written by American author Henry David Thoreau, which documented his simple lifestyle in the forest by Walden Pond.

At Walden Woods they specialize in single origin coffee that’s roasted in-house and spicy chai as well as a selection of delicate Japanese sweets which are a perfect flavor match to the drinks. You won’t struggle to find a table here as there are none. Seating is on a bank of steps around the walls, similar to an amphitheater, so the entire coffee drinking experience is certainly something different and unique that you’ll remember!

Walk into this Kyoto cafe and you’ll completely forget you’re in a city environment. Here at 1er ETAGE, the walls and ceiling are adorned with so many sheaves of dried grasses and flowers it’s like an enchanted forest inside. As you might guess when you see it, 1er Etage isn’t just a cafe, but a florist too.

While you may not want a dried flower arrangement to take back to your hotel, you will want to try the homemade brownies or the green tea cheesecake with a coffee or one of their specialty teas. If you need a refreshing drink, we recommend 1er Etage’s lemonade. It’s fresh and zingy and perfect when the weather is warm. If you’re looking for a special place to relax and maybe take some fun photos while you’re there, this is Kyoto cafe for you!

KAEru coffee is a frog-themed Kyoto coffee shop. There are frogs everywhere in this cafe in every form you can imagine – except live of course. It’s a fun environment to take coffee and a Japanese sweet in. The name itself also has a double meaing, as “kaeru” (かえる) can mean both “frogs” and “return home” in the Japanese language. KAEru coffee aims to create an at-home atmosphere where guests can relax in an at-home atmosphere while enjoying delicious coffee and food.

While the frogs may be fun, at this cafe they take their coffee very seriously. They roast their beans in-house and have an authentic, hand-operated Italian espresso machine. Coffee really doesn’t get any better than when it’s made with one of these!

At KAEru coffee, as well as Japanese sweets, they offer cakes you’ll probably be familiar with. If you’re hankering for a taste of home then check out their pound cake and scones or try their chocolate gateau. If they don’t do the trick then go for the banana cake. It’s sensational.