For a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown Kyoto, drop by Otafuku in Kawaramachi. Though it’s right in the heart of the city, you’ll be whisked away to another world in this retro kissaten.

Otafuku – image © Chris Rowthorn
There’s no shortage of good to great coffee places downtown – Inoda Coffee, Drip & Drop Coffee Supply, and Weekenders Coffee Tominokoji all come to mind. But drinking coffee at a kissaten is a distinct experience in itself. These retro cafes serve ink-black coffee, and with their environments recalling hints of European belle époque, they’re perfect for a quiet escape from busy city environments.
Otafuku is one such escape. It’s right in the heart of the Kawaramachi area, but you wouldn’t know it from the inside. Blink and you’ll miss the entrance, but it’s there, and you’ll have to descend the stairs to this warm little basement cafe. As you walk through the door, the motor-driven din of downtown Kyoto subsides, replaced by cool jazz along the lines of Miles Davis. If it is not otherwise serenely quiet, there is the opportunity to eavesdrop on conversations carried out in gentle, melodious, Kyoto dialect.
The house blend here is less darkly roasted than the average kissaten and produces a more balanced cup – juicy and full of depth, without the burnt bitterness many kissaten favour. But this is by no means quick coffee: it is hand-poured through a filter, the beans freshly ground and water newly boiled for each cup.
Should you not want coffee, there are other temptations: tea, cream soda (a brilliant, radioactive green), and egg pudding. The pudding is optional, but know that it is worth ordering. Incidentally, you will know the proprietor Noda-san by his infamous sideburns, which give him an uncanny resemblance to Lupin the Third.
Otafuku features in our 1-Day Kyoto Foodie Itinerary. Check it out here.
For more Kyoto kissaten choices, see our Best Kissaten in Kyoto page.
Name in English:
Otafuku Coffee
Name in Japanese:
御多福珈琲
English address:
609 Teianmaeno-cho, Teramachi-dori-Shijo-sagaru, Shimogyo-ku
Japanese address:
下京区寺町通四条下ル貞安前之町609
Opening hours:
10am-9:30pm
Closed 15th every month
Price:
Non-smoking area: No
Nearest Transport:
1min walk from Kawaramachi Station Exit 10, Hankyu line
Reservations:
No Reservations
Telephone: 256-6788
Website: none
Near To Here:
Otafuku is located in Kyoto’s Downtown district. See our complete list of things to do in Downtown Kyoto, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help