Exploring Specialty Cafés and Tea Culture in Kyoto

We visited specialty cafés in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district to study the local demand for Japanese tea. While coffee dominates the global café scene, Kyoto — our hometown — remains deeply rooted in Japanese tea, especially matcha. Around Kiyomizu Temple, the streets were lively with visitors and lined with many tea-focused shops.

However, many of the prime locations were filled with commercialized souvenir foods that lacked authenticity, which felt a little disappointing. The visit reminded us of our wish to one day open a store in Kyoto — one that truly reflects our values and what Japanese tea stands for.