Summer Lovin’: The Joys of a Cute Cafe in Kyoto

Posted on 08/01/2023 Last updated on 01/11/2024

Now that it is summer, we find ourselves with much more time on our hands. Maybe use that time to take a well-deserved rest in the beautiful city of Kyoto. There is no better feeling than finding a cute cafe where you can escape the heat, so coffee lovers, this one is for you.

There are many areas of Kyoto that pride themselves on the plethora of cafes that line their streets, but the best area to explore a less-crowded Kyoto is Karasuma. Whether it is taking yourself out for a date, or bringing along that special someone, this is a cute area of town that never fails to amaze.

Photo by miiinaamiii

The first cafe that I want to introduce to you is called La Voiture. The atmosphere is designed to look like a French cafe in Paris. There is indoor seating (of course, with air conditioning) that is well known for its tarte tartin.

If you have never had this delicacy, it is a tart made from stewed apples with a light flavor of cinnamon and different spices in a flaky crust. There are other dessert options at the cafe, but you will be missing out if you do not get this one!

You have the option to get the tart made from either tart green apples, or sweet red apples. I opt for having a plate of both served with a light cream to drizzle on top. Check this cafe out and you will not be disappointed.

Photo by くまなな

The next cafe is more of a chain and is well known for being high quality and serving a large customer base. I am of course talking about Blue Bottle Rokkaku. This cafe is set in an old machiya style building and has indoor seating on the second floor. It is tucked away in the corner of a street right beside a bicycle rental store that they have partnered with.

Have coffee with a cute atmosphere. I recommend this cafe to sit and read a delightful book or talk with friends. The staff are friendly and many of them speak English, so you should not have any issues if your Japanese skills are limited. After you finish your coffee, think about renting a bicycle from their partner store and taking a ride alongside the nearby river.

The river nearby is one of my favorite places in Kyoto to escape the heat and relax. There are natural stone steppingstones that you can cross the river or cool down with a relaxing foot bath under the shade of the bridge.

Often, you will be welcomed with the pleasant sound of shamisen players practicing under the bridge. If you thought that Karasuma could not get any better, there are also many cultural buildings and museums that you can explore.

Take a journey to a more local area of Kyoto, escape the crowds, and have delicious, iced coffee from these cute cafes. This area has many more, but these are my go-to’s. Enjoy your summer while exploring the quieter side of Kyoto!

Photo Credits

Top photo: シャオ00 on PhotoAC

Additional images by miiinaamiii and くまなな