11th February 2014.
Kyoto, Japan.
Unbeknownst to some, Kyoto has a long and vibrant “café
culture” since the introduction of coffee to Japan. One of the oldest café in
Kyoto which has since branched out to other parts of Japan is none other than
Inoda Coffee dating back to 1940 as a coffee merchant related to shipping.
According to my tutor from Kyoto Institute of Technology, a section of the old
café in its flagship shop was constructed from the wood from one of those
ships used in the shipping.
While I did drop by the flagship café along Sakaimachi-dori, my favourite is the
branch at Sanjo-dori which has a round counter where you could watch the
baristas at work, preparing each and every cup of coffee.
Inoda Coffee is more than just a normal café. It is an
institution of Kyoto, equivalent to that of Café Sacher in Vienna. According to
my tutor, if you are lucky, you can spot celebrities and designers patronizing
the café and perhaps strike up a meaning conversation about design or
architecture.
The Arabian Pearl is their signature coffee, which is quite
mellow and fragrant. Along with my cup of coffee, I also had a Chestnut Cake,
all of which is included within the 900 Yen Coffee and Cake Set. The cake was a
little sweet and pretty rich but together with the coffee, it is a good match
as the bitterness from the coffee balances off the rich and sweet Chestnut Cake.
Sanjo Branch
〒604-8111
京都市 中京区三条通堺町東入ル桝屋町69
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