We were taking an early morning walk around the alleys near Kiyomizu in Ninenzaka and came across an outlet of Inoda Coffee. I enjoy visiting Japanese kissatens with their old-world charm. Despite having just had breakfast at Hotel Mume, I wanted to eat another one. I had a thick slice of buttered toast and fruit sando in mind.
When I entered Inoda Coffee, I was bracing myself for strong wafts of cigarette smoke typical in many kissatens. I was surprised that this wasn’t the case for Inoda Coffee. Instead, we were shown a spacious dining room that was smoke-free with wide-panelled windows that had gorgeous views of a Japanese garden.
I couldn’t stop snapping photos of the interior of Inoda Coffee, especially the windows and garden beyond. The shop seen in the garden is Yoyaji, well-known in Kyoto for its cosmetics and blotting paper. I haven’t tried the blotting paper but the yuzu lip-balm is good.
We placed an order for a fruit sando, French toast and coffee. I love Japanese fruit sandwiches especially the ones with filled with orange slices and whipped cream. I love eating bread in Japan. The Japanese shokupan is so soft and fluffy – I really should try making a loaf at home.
It was nice spending a slow morning at Inoda Coffee, with no particular destination in mind. That’s my idea of a holiday. Slow mornings. Lots of coffee stops to rest our feet and relax. See what we like and not what we have to.
Inoda Coffee Kiyomizu
Address: 334 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan.
