Reading material
Kyoto and Coffee Culture
Kyoto and Coffee Culture
- A special cup of coffee to enjoy in the ancient capital -
Kyoto is a city where traditional Japanese culture thrives, with shrines, temples, gardens, and traditional townhouses. Did you know that this city, where the tea ceremony and matcha culture are deeply rooted, also has a surprisingly deep coffee culture? In fact, Kyoto is known as one of the cities with the highest coffee consumption in Japan. Coffee, which has developed in harmony with the city's historic tea culture, is now an essential part of walking around Kyoto.
The history of coffee in Kyoto
Kyoto has long been a center of learning and culture, and has always had a culture that is receptive to new ideas. Coffee shop culture began as early as the Meiji period, and from the Taisho to Showa periods, long-established coffee shops such as Inoda Coffee became an integral part of Kyoto residents' lives. Even today, if you walk around the Shijo and Sanjo areas, you'll find a wide variety of shops, from retro coffee shops to modern cafes.
Characteristics of Kyoto Coffee
Kyoto's coffee culture has its own unique characteristics.
・Strength of coffee shop culture : The custom of leisurely enjoying breakfast and afternoon meals is deeply rooted
・A fusion of Japanese and Western styles : A unique style of pairing coffee with Japanese and Kyoto sweets
・Craftsmanship : From roasting the beans to brewing, the craftsmanship is focused on each cup, giving the impression of a town of traditional crafts.
Coffee in Kyoto is not just a drink, it exists as a "culture."
The modern Kyoto coffee scene
In recent years, the number of cafes and roasteries serving specialty coffee has rapidly increased. Even near tourist spots such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Gion, and Arashiyama, there is an increasing number of stylish cafes that tourists can easily drop into. The unique charm of Kyoto is spreading through coffee, with shops that offer combinations of coffee with traditional Japanese sweets and hidden cafes renovated from traditional Japanese houses.
The connection between Kyoto and BONGEN COFFEE
BONGEN COFFEE , which has stores in Ginza and Nihonbashi, is a brand that values Japanese aesthetics and resonates with Kyoto culture. The tranquil space decorated with bonsai trees and the pairing with Japanese sweets and rice balls evokes the same spirit of "harmony between Japanese and Western" that Kyoto possesses. If BONGEN COFFEE were to exist in Kyoto, it would be an ideal example of the fusion of tradition and innovation.
Summary: The charm of tasting coffee in Kyoto
Kyoto is a city that has developed not only matcha and tea culture, but also a unique coffee culture. The coexistence of historic coffee shops and new specialty cafes exudes the charm that can only be found in an ancient capital.
BONGEN COFFEE , which projects a Japanese aesthetic into its coffee, is a brand deeply connected to the spirit of Kyoto. Just like experiencing coffee in Kyoto, enjoying a cup of its coffee in Ginza or Nihonbashi is an experience of enjoying both Japanese tradition and innovation at the same time.
👉 BONGENCOFFEE | OFFICIAL SITE
https://ginza-bongen.jp/
