With their first location in Omotesando, Tokyo, the popular bakery cafe Bread and Espresso has expanded their shop to various other areas. In July of 2019, they opened another branch in Arashiyama, Kyoto: Bread, Espresso, and Arashiyama Garden.

This space has been renovated from the Old Kobayashi Home, a cultural property designated by Kyoto Prefecture. The buildings and spacious gardens are nearly 200 years old, and remain in almost the exact same state as they were back then. The entire Kyoto cafes is divided between two buildings: the bakery, called Pan-to (or "Bread"), and the cafe, Espresso. Both are connected by a cobblestone path.

The bakery sells all kinds of breads: sliced bread, hard breads, croissants, and even special, limited-edition breads made with local Kyoto ingredients. You can eat in the cafe, or order as take-out.

There are three types of lunch sets at the Espresso cafe: Matsu, Take, and Ume. This gorgeous two-tiered 'Bran Tea Set' (Matsu, 2,300 yen, tax included) looks cute, and tastes even better! It includes five types of bread, ham, cheese, a mini salad, pound cake, canele, hojicha tiramisu, and a fruit sandwich.

There are also popular morning and dessert menus available. You can even try a delicious Kyoto style bread made with dashi stock. So grab some bread or pastries and enjoy your lunch as you admire the delightful gardens.

There is one more Bread and Espresso location in Arashiyama. That is Bread, Espresso, and Fukuda Art Museum, a Kyoto cafe that opened in the Fukuda Art Museum in October of 2019. The cafe has a great view of the Togetsukyo Bridge, one of the most symbolic landmarks of Arashiyama. After an afternoon of art appreciation, why not stop by for a quick, relaxing meal?

Foreign language menus are available, and social distancing is maintained between seating throughout the shop. Please ask for sanitizer before entering.

There are three types of Panini lunch menu options: Pork Belly Confit & Kyoto Kujo Scallions, Kamo Eggplant and Tuna Ratatouille, and Raw Ham & Mozzarella. Each item is 1,200 yen (tax included) and includes a salad and a drink. We also recommend their dessert menu, such as the Seasonal Fortune Parfait (1,200 yen, tax included). Ingredients vary by season.

Though the menu has temporarily been changed as a result of measures taken against coronavirus, the panini set and parfait are scheduled to resume from August 2020. Currently, breads are sold in bags.

eX cafe Kyoto Arashiyama Honten is a cafe in a narrow alley off the main street. It is a renovated Japanese-style building that has retained its authentic atmosphere. This spacious shop offers a variety of seating options, including sofas, table seats, and Japanese-style rooms. The exterior walls and inner partitions are decorated with stunning paintings such as the one seen here, painted by a well-known mural artist, Hideki Kimura.

If you would prefer to visit at a quiet time, we recommend weekday mornings.

The Kyoto cafe's specialty is the Hokuhoku Dango Set (1,350 yen plus tax), which includes three skewers each of yomogi and white dango, and green tea. You can roast the dango yourself over a charcoal brazier, and add toppings such as azuki beans and mitarashi sauce. Cooking instructions are available in English, Chinese, and Korean.

We also recommend the roll cake, Kyoguro Roll Kuromaru (650 yen plus tax), the summer limited-edition Kakigori (Shaved Ice) (880 yen plus tax), and the Hokkori Zenzai Set (1,350 yen plus tax).

The shop is well ventilated, and alcohol sanitizer is provided when entering. If it's too crowded, you can even order your drinks to take out and enjoy along your walk.

CHAVATY is a Japanese tea latte specialty shop. It has become so popular, you will often see people waiting in line to get in at their original branch in Omotesando, Tokyo. The second branch opened in July 2019 right here in Arashiyama, which is their first branch in the Kansai Region. Their hope is to spread Japan's unique tea culture to people all around the world, by serving authentic teas made using their special ingredients and production methods.

Their main drink item is the Tea Latte (Hot/Ice) at 680 yen each (plus tax). There are three flavors: Uba, Hojicha, and Matcha. We especially recommend the Uba Tea Latte, made with carefully-selected, high-quality ingredients from Sri Lanka that pair perfectly with milk.

They also have a great dessert and sweets menu! The same three flavors are also available as a Tea Soft-Serve (480 yen plus tax), with a smooth, creamy texture and a delicious tea scent. They're also cute and photogenic, so you'll want to take a few snapshots of them with the Arashiyama scenery in the background!

As of March 2020, the Matcha Churros (380 yen plus tax) are also available as take-out. Sprinkled with Uji matcha, it is mildly sweet and holds the original taste and aroma of the matcha. It is also the perfect snack to enjoy while walking around!

English menus are also available. Staff members are required to scan their temperatures, as well as wear masks and gloves. You can ask for alcohol sanitizer when entering the shop.

Arashiyama Rilakkuma Sabo is a Japanese themed cafe based on the popular character, Rilakkuma. You can buy sweets and drinks, made with Rilakkuma's own favorite honey, at the take-out corner on the 1st floor! There is also a shop full of miscellaneous collaboration goods and traditional Kyoto crafts.

The 2nd floor is the tea house, where you can enjoy food, drinks, and sweets featuring the characters Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, and Kiroi-tori. This is a must-see spot that all Rilakkuma fans will love!

While there are many regular menu items available, there are also plenty of seasonal items to try. The summer menu, Sasafune Yurari Somen & Omusubi Set (1,380 yen plus tax) includes chilled somen noodles, making it the perfect meal for a hot summer. It also brings two cute Rilakkuma-shaped omusubi (rice balls) for a completely satisfying lunch.

The Rilakkuma Honey Kakigori Soft Cream (500 yen plus tax) is a take-out menu item served with strawberry shaved ice and soft ice cream topped with honey. Both of these summer items will only be available until mid-September.

Staff members are required to wear masks, wash hands frequently, gargle, disinfect their hands, and use money trays for checkout. Customers are also asked to cooperate when entering the shop by wearing a mask and disinfecting their hands, and standing apart when lining up at the register.

SNOOPY Chocolat is a chocolate brand from Kyoto based on the lovable characters from PEANUTS. In October 2019, they opened two shops in Kyoto: one in Arashiyama and another in Kiyomizuzaka.

The exterior decor of the Arashiyama branch building blends in perfectly with the surrounding townscape. Their chocolate brings a unique taste of Japan, blending the flavors and aromas of cacao with Japanese ingredients such as matcha and hojicha. Other unique flavors available are yuzu, wasabi, and kinako.

These are the Arashiyama Limited-Edition Tablet Chocolate Gift Set (2,500 yen plus tax). Available in limited quantities, these cute chocolates feature little comics drawn on them. The brown wood frame of this adorable set also makes them the perfect souvenir!

There is also a take-out menu, with 9 flavors of their special Kodawari Gelato. It is available in three sizes: Single Cone (530), Double Cone (730 yen), and Single Cup (500 yen). (All prices do not include tax). The Take-out Corner menu is also annotated in English and Chinese.

All staff members are required to wear masks, wash hands frequently, gargle, and disinfect their hands. When paying, customers are asked to maintain distance and use the trays when handling money. Also, please wear a mask and sanitize your hands when entering the store.

Arashiyama is a treasure trove of photogenic Kyoto cafes and sweets, with so many cute shops, you'll have fun just walking around! Pay a visit to your favorite shops, and take in the charming atmosphere of Arashiyama.