With its first location in Omotesando, Tokyo, the popular bakery café chain, Bread and Espresso has expanded its shop to various other areas. In July 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 same state as they were back then. The entire Kyoto café is divided between two buildings: the bakery, called Pan-to (or "Bread"), and the café, Espresso. A cobblestone path connects both.

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, 3,000 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 in the Fukuda Art Museum. 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.

There are three types of Panini lunch menu options: Beef Pastrami & Camembert Cheese, Garlic & Shrimp with Salsa, Anchovy with boiled egg. Each item is 1,800 yen (tax included) and includes a salad and a drink. We also recommend their dessert menu, such as the Seasonal Fortune Parfait (1,500 yen, tax included, available after 1 PM). Ingredients vary by season.

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 (1,850 yen, tax included), 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.

We also recommend the roll cake, Kyoguro Roll Kuromaru (1,350 yen plus tax), the summer limited-edition Kakigori (Shaved Ice), and the winter limited-edition (available from October to mid April) Hokkori Zenzai Set (1,850 yen tax included).

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 690 yen each (tax included). Takeout available in cups at 680 yen each (tax included), or a bottle at 820 yen each (tax included). 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! Matcha, Hoji-cha, and limited edition flavors are available as a Tea Soft-Serve (590 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!

English menus are also available.

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!

*The photos show the menu offered at the time of the interview. As of September 2024, the menu has changed.

*The photos show the menu offered at the time of the interview. As of September 2024, the menu has changed.

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.

*The photos show the menu offered at the time of the interview. As of September 2024, the menu has changed.

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.

*The information in this article is from August 2020 and has been updated in September 2024. Please check the official website for the latest details.