October 2022: Please note Somushi Kochaya has now permanently closed. Please see our Downtown Kyoto page for other places to eat and drink in the district.
On the west side of downtown, on Sanjo-dori, this wonderful Korean-themed teahouse is a fantastic place for a light meal or a delicious cup of tea.
Somushi Kochaya exterior – image © Chris Rowthorn
This place is totally unique: It’s a Korean-style teahouse in a city where every other teahouse is Japanese. The décor is cool, subdued and relaxing. They serve surprisingly good food, with plenty of vegetarian choices (all explained on the English menu). But, the place bills itself as a teahouse (chaya) and tea is their specialty. The tea menu, which is heavy on Chinese and Korean teas, is fascinating and there are many appealing choices. And, to top it off, they’ve got some great sweets, which change with the season.
Pumpkin porridge set – image © Chris Rowthorn
English name
Somushi Kochaya
Japanese name
素夢子 古茶家
English address:
73 Mikura-cho, Sanjo-dori Karasuma-nishiiru, Nakagyo-ku
Japanese address:
中京区三条通烏丸西入る御倉町73
Opening hours:
11am-7pm
Closed Wednesday
Price:
Cheap
Non-smoking area: Yes
Nearest Transport:
3-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station Exit 6, Karasuma and Tozai subway lines
Telephone: 81-75-253-1456
Website:
Somushi Kochaya (Japanese)
Customer Reviews:
Read customer reviews of Somushi Kochaya on TripAdvisor.
Near To Here:
Somushi Kochaya 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.
Where Is This Place Located?
See these places on our Kyoto Google map:- Open the Kyoto map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
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
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
- 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
