Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Matcha Cafes in Kyoto (with Reviews and Map)
Heading to Kyoto and dreaming about sipping authentic matcha in a cozy Japanese cafe? Looking for the best matcha latte to zip or the best matcha powder to bring home as a souvenir? From hidden gems to popular spots, we will be covering the best matcha cafes in Kyoto in this article.
In this guide, we ranked and reviewed the best 30+ matcha cafe’s in Kyoto, along with our top 5 choices based on our personal experience, so you can pick the best one.
- Best Matcha Cafe in Kyoto – Overall Winner: Nakamura Tokichi Honten, Uji
- Best Matcha Cafe in Kyoto – Overall Runner-up: Tsujiri Tea House, Gion City Center
- Best Matcha Cafe in Kyoto – Hidden Gem: Umezono, Kawaramachi City Center
- Best Matcha Cafe in Kyoto – In a Garden: Okochi Sanso Garden, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- Best Matcha Cafe in Kyoto – Luxury Experience (issued in Japan): Entoku-in
Where Are the Best Matcha Cafes in Kyoto Located?
Before you start diving deep into the matcha scene in Kyoto, there’s another adventure you simply cannot miss: a visit to Uji, recognized widely as Japan’s matcha capital.
For anyone enchanted by Japanese matcha, our guide to a day trip to Uji is an essential read, for you to explore the very roots of Japan’s matcha culture.
UJI in Kyoto is Japan’s Matcha Capital City. However, most tourists do not go to Uji due to limited time (a one-day or half-day trip is needed) for this historical city.
Aside from Uji, the best areas to find Matcha Cafes in Kyoto are in Shijo Area, Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and Kyoto Station.
You can also checkout our other articles below for your further reading:
- The 3 Best Kyoto Ryokan with Private Onsen
- Best Place to Stay in Tokyo for Families
- Crafting a Luxurious Japan Itinerary 7 days
- 2-week Japan Itinerary
- 3 Best & Unique Japan Food Tours
- 50 Unique Japanese Honeymoon Ideas
Best Matcha Cafe in Kyoto – Overall: Nakamura Tokichi
Location: Nakamura Tokichi has its main branch in Uji, Kyoto, but they also have several branches including the one near Kyoto Station.
- Address: 1,10, Uji, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Nearest Station: Uji Station (2 minutes walk)
- Nearby Attraction: Byodo-in Temple (10 minutes walk)
- Operating Hours: Fine tea shop 10:00-17:30, Matcha Cafe 10:00-17:30 (Last Order 16:30)
- Reservation: Not accepting reservation (customers have to go directly to the store to get their queuing number)
Why Locals and Visitors Love This Matcha Cafe in Kyoto: the Best Matcha Dessert
Nakamura Tokichi Honten stands out as the matcha cafe in Kyoto with the most number of reviews and a stellar rating of 4+ stars on Google Maps, solidifying its reputation for offering the best matcha dessert in the area.
Esteemed by both international visitors and discerning locals, including the Japanese who deeply appreciate authentic matcha flavors, this cafe, with its 165-year legacy, specializes in crafting the Matcha Maruto Parfait, a must-experience dessert that beautifully encapsulates the rich, traditional flavors of Uji matcha in every layer.
The cafe has a systematic queuing system, allowing you to explore nearby attractions like the Byodo-in Temple while you wait. And once inside, every minute is a celebration of matcha, from the free tea tasting to the meticulously crafted desserts.
Most Popular Menu (with price):
Matcha Maruto Parfait (1,650 Japanese Yen, around 2300 Japanese Yen if ordered with a tea set) which is only available at their Uji Main Store
As detailed in my Uji day trip guide, Nakamura Tokichi is a place where the wait (which can be several hours!) becomes a part of the experience.
Another great feature of Nakamura Tokichi Hoten as the best matcha cafe in Kyoto is they have outdoor seats where you can eat their Matcha Maruto Parfait viewing this beautiful Japanese garden.
Local Tip: there are a lot of several menus in Nakamura Honten such as matcha soba (buckwheat Japanese noodle) but I can honestly tell that their Matcha Maruto Parfait set alone is already quite heavy for one person so I suggest going here as an afternoon tea.
Best Matcha Cafe in Kyoto – Overall Runner-up: Tsujiri Tea House, Gion Main Shop
Location:
Tsujiri Tea House, Gion Main Shop, is conveniently located in the heart of Kyoto’s historic and culturally rich Gion district.
- Address: 573-3 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0074, Japan.
- Nearest Station: Gion-Shijo Station.
- Nearby Attraction: Yasaka Shrine, a vibrant and historic shrine that is especially beautiful during the cherry blossom season.
- Operating Hours: 10:30 am – 8:00 pm
- Reservation: Not accepting reservation (customers have to go directly to the store to get their queuing number)
Price Range:
Expect to budget around 1,000 – 2,000 Japanese Yen for a fulfilling matcha experience, though exact prices might vary.
Why Locals and Visitors Love This Matcha Cafe in Kyoto:
Tsujiri, established in 1860, has been serving high-quality matcha for over 160 years, making it a significant player in Japan’s tea culture.
The main advantage of Tsujiri compared to Nakamura Tokichi is Tsujiri’s main shop is in the city center – located in Gion, which in particular, is loved for its strategic location in Kyoto’s geisha district, offering a matcha experience that is deeply intertwined with the local culture and history.
Best Matcha Cafe in Kyoto – Hidden Gem: Umezono Kawaramachi
Location:
5-minute walk from Kawaramachi Station, few-minute walk from Nishiki Market
- Address: 234-4 Yamazakicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8032, Japan.
- Nearest Station: Kawaramachi Station.
- Nearby Attraction: Gion District, renowned for its traditional wooden machiya houses.
Operating Hours: 10:30 am – 7:30 pm. It’s advisable to visit earlier in the day or check their official website (Japanese) for detailed hours.
Price Range: budget around 1,160 Japanese Yen for their Mitarashi Dango with Matcha Set
Why Locals and Visitors Love This Matcha Cafe in Kyoto
Umezono Kawaramachi is a hidden gem that offers an intimate, cozy, and traditional setting, making it a lovely place to rest and enjoy exquisite Japanese desserts after exploring Kyoto.
The cafe is small and intimate, providing a tranquil environment where you can immerse yourself in the authentic Japanese tea experience amidst the vibrant Kyoto city life.
Most Popular Menu:
I personally love their warabi mochi set with matcha drink (around 1,300 Japanese Yen) and they also have a popular menu for the mitarashi dango, although we also have tried ordering a separate warabi mochi below with two flavors of kinako (roasted soybeans powder) and matcha.
My Personal Experience
Unlike Nakamura Tokichi and Tsujiri Tea House where the bestsellers are matcha parfaits, Umezono is straight to the point – you get a much “simple” dessert with a matcha drink set. The parfaits in Nakamura Tokichi and Tsujiri Tea House are very heavy and even though they are “dessert”, they actually feel like a heavy meal.
Best Matcha Cafe in Kyoto – In A Garden: Okochi Sanso Garden
Location: Okochi Sanso Garden is nestled in the scenic Arashiyama district of Kyoto.
- Address: 8 Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8394, Japan
- Nearest Station: Arashiyama Station (around 15 minutes walk)
- Nearby Attraction: Bamboo Groves, Togetsukyo Bridge, and other Arashiyama highlights.
- Operating Hours: 9:00-17:00 daily
- Reservation: Not typically required, but visiting early is recommended to avoid peak tourist hours.
Why Locals and Visitors Love This Matcha Cafe in Kyoto:
When you visit Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, you will be overwhelmed by the amount of tourists. Personally speaking, I think that paying 1000 Japanese Yen for Okochi Sanso Garden is more than worth.
To be completely honest it wasn’t until probably my 6th time visiting Kyoto when I randomly saw Okochi Sanso Garden when we were very exhausted in the extremely crowded area of Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – just look at the image below.
The picture below is the interior of the Myōkō-an Hall inside the Okochi Sanso Garden where you can spend time in doing meditation.
As a background, the garden, once the residence of the famous silent film actor Okochi Denjiro, is a masterpiece that showcases the elegance and tranquility of Japanese landscaping. The café complements this by offering a place to pause, reflect, and immerse oneself in the moment, sipping matcha while gazing upon the verdant surroundings.
Most Popular Menu (with price): The entry fee to Okochi Sanso Garden, which is 1,000 Japanese Yen, includes a matcha tea and a sweet treat, served in a teahouse with a view of the stunning garden.
Visitors often rave about the experience of enjoying their matcha in such a tranquil setting, where every sip is harmonized with a gaze upon the lush greenery and historical structures around.
Additional Note: As detailed in various travel guides, Okochi Sanso Garden is not just a place to enjoy matcha but is an experience in itself. The winding paths through the garden take you through various scenic spots, each offering a different view and ambiance, culminating in the teahouse where you can enjoy your matcha with a view.
Local Tip: Allocate enough time to wander through the garden before settling down in the teahouse. In our case, we actually took some “zen” time and just seated in their zen houses after going to their Matcha Cafe.
By the way, Okochi Sanso Garden, similar to other destinations in Kyoto have different sceneries per season making it a year-round destination choice.
We suggest allocating around 1-hour to 1.5-hour when visiting Okochi Sanso Garden for the full experience of their Matcha at the cafe, meditation at the Myoko-an Hall, as well as exploring the gardens.
Best Matcha Cafe in Kyoto – Luxury Experience for American Express Gold Card Holders (issued in Japan): Entoku-in
Location: Entoku-in is around 15-minute walk from Kiyomizu-dera
- Address: 530-0041 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Teramachi Dori Shijo Agaru, Japan
- Nearest Station: Gion-Shijo Station (around 10 minutes walk)
- Nearby Attraction: Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Gion District, and Yasaka Shrine.
- Operating Hours: Varies, but generally open during daylight hours.
- Reservation: NA
Why Locals and Visitors Love This Matcha Cafe in Kyoto: If you want some exclusivity, you should definitely go to Entoku-in which is a sanctuary in the middle of Kyoto
Please note that there is a part of Entoku-in, the Amex Lounge, that is exclusive only for Japan-issued AMEX Card Holders where you can have the luxurious and exclusive experience of enjoying a Japanese tea (not matcha).
When we go to their Japan-issued AMEX lounge, we really appreciated the tranquility and enjoyed matcha while being enveloped by the serene and meticulously maintained Japanese garden.
Most Popular Menu (with price): After exploring the exclusive American Express Lounge in Entoku-in, we proceeded to the general area where we (again) ordered a matcha.
We really loved the setting that allowed us to enjoy drinking matcha while being surrounded by historical structures and lush greenery, providing a truly luxurious and tranquil experience.
Actually, it was also quite cute that you could ring a bell when ordering Matcha.
Additional Note: Entoku-in provides a unique experience, especially for American Express Gold Card Holders from Japan, by offering an exclusive lounge within the temple garden.
This allows visitors to enjoy their matcha in a setting that is both luxurious and serene, providing a moment of respite amidst the historical and natural beauty of Kyoto.
There are also quite a lot of Japanese traditional art at Entoku-in which we recommend you to explore.
Local Tip: Please make sure to bring your Japan-issued AMEX Card (they do not accept AMEX Cards issued abroad). In our case, I forgot my AMEX Card and we have tried to convince and showed my digital card through the AMEX app, they did not allow us to enter that’s why I had to go back to our hotel and came back in the lounge to be able to enter.
Best Matcha Cafe in Kyoto – Runner-ups
There are of course hundreds, if not thousands, of Matcha Cafes in Kyoto. Indeed, another way of enjoying it is to “randomly” pick cafes as you walk and explore with your Kyoto itinerary.
However, to make sure search easier, we also have compiled the best-rated matcha cafes in kyoto in the infographic below.
WRAP UP
Kyoto is undeniably a matcha haven, even having Uji as Japan’s Matcha Capital. Whether you’re diving into the rich history of Tsujiri Tea House or soaking in the serene views at Okochi Sanso Garden, there’s always something new around the corner. And let’s not forget the exclusive retreat at Entoku-in for those carrying a Japan-issued American Express Gold Card – talk about sipping matcha in style!
Remember, each Matcha Cafe in Kyoto brings something special to the table (literally!). From the bustling streets of Gion to the tranquil gardens of Arashiyama, your perfect matcha moment is waiting in one of Kyoto’s many charming spots.
As you wander through Kyoto’s scenic streets and explore its rich history, keep our guide handy for whenever those matcha cravings hit. And trust us, with so many options to explore, you’ll want to try them all 🙂
