Is there anyone who is a coffee lover? Although tea is famous in Kyoto, Arabica coffee is also well-known here. Let’s take a journey to explore one of the world-famous coffee brands: %Arabica Kyoto.
What is %Arabica Coffee?
%Arabica was founded by Kenneth Shoji, who grew up in multicultural environments due to his family. He found his answers to his quest of what he can pursue in his life, which was pursuing a business with his passion for drink: coffee. Today, %Arabica coffee has 191 shops worldwide, bringing the taste of Kyoto to coffee lovers around the globe. %Arabica not only sells coffee but also merchandise, including tumblers and coffee equipment, featuring its iconic % sign. In addition to coffee shops, %Arabica has %Shokudo (restaurants), where people can enjoy authentic Japanese breakfasts alongside their renowned coffee.
My Experience with %Arabica Coffee Near Shijo Station
There are four %Arabica shops in Kyoto, and I visited the one in the Kyoto Fujii Daimaru department store near Shijo Station. The shop operates in line with the department store’s hours, opening from Monday to Sunday, 10:30 am to 8 pm. Located on the first floor next to the escalator, it was easy to find. The prices are as follows:
– Americano (Hot): 450 yen (8oz), 500 yen (12oz)
– (Iced): 500 yen
– Coffee Latte (Hot): 550 yen (8oz), 600 yen (12oz)
– (Iced): 650 yen (12oz)
The shop offers alternative milk options: soy milk (+50 yen) and oat milk (+100 yen). Decaf is also available for those who prefer less caffeine. I noticed a menu item called “Kyoto Latte” and asked the barista about it. She explained that it’s a sweet coffee. I tried both the iced Kyoto latte and coffee latte. I highly recommend the Kyoto latte for those who prefer a less bitter taste. The sweetener blended well with the deep bitterness of the coffee, making it taste like coffee milk (coffee gyunyu) often enjoyed at Japanese hot springs. The iced coffee latte had a strong coffee flavour with a profound taste. As a person who likes drinking coffee, I found it a delightful experience to try %Arabica coffee. There are other beverages available, such as matcha latte and lemonade, which may be worth trying if you are not a coffee person.
Where to Find %Arabica Coffee Shops
There are seven %Arabica stores in Japan. The northernmost shop is in Niseko, Hokkaido. Tokyo has two stores: one in Minato Ward between Roppongi and Toranomon, and the other in Azabudai Hills near Tokyo Tower. In Kyoto, besides the one along Shijo Street, there is a shop in Arashiyama with a lovely view of the Togetsukyo Bridge. The other two are in Higashiyama, located across the street from each other. One of them is %Shokudo, serving Japanese breakfast with selected ingredients and, of course, coffee. The last location, opposite %Shokudo in Higashiyama, is the very first %Arabica shop in Japan. It blends well with traditional Japanese housing and is near Kiyomizu Temple. If you plan to visit Kiyomizu Temple, why not stop by?
For more information about this shop, click [here]
