For some wonderful Japanese takes on Western pastries paired with excellent green tea, check out this gallery/café on Muramachi, a short walk northwest of downtown.

Zenkashoin exterior – image © Chris Rowthorn
If you’ve had your fill of chain coffee restaurants and you’re near the Oike-Karasuma intersection (near downtown), then walk a few blocks to the serene Zenkashoin. This stylish gallery/sweet shop has a lovely little café that overlooks a nice courtyard garden.

Zenkashoin interior – image © Chris Rowthorn
There’s an English menu and you can get a variety of sets that include a pastry or two and a nice cup of matcha. The sweets are Japanese versions of Western pastries and they’re delicious, as is the tea. Most sets allow you to choose one, two or three of the shop’s signature pastries and pair them with hot or cold matcha, but there are many other choices as well.

Zen to Zen sweet set – image © Chris Rowthorn
For more Kyoto Japanese Tea and sweet shop choices, see our Best Japanese Tea and Sweet Shops in Kyoto page.
English name
Zenkashoin
Japanese name
然花抄院
English address:
271-1 Takoyakushi-cho, Muromachi-dori Nijo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku
Japanese address:
中京区室町通二条下る蛸薬師町271-1
Opening hours:
11am-7pm
Closed 2nd and 4th Monday
Price:
Cheap
Non-smoking area: Yes
Nearest Transport:
6-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station Exit 2, Karasuma and Tozai subway lines
Telephone: 81-75-241-3300
Website:
Official Website (Japanese)
Customer Reviews:
Read customer reviews of Zenkashoin on TripAdvisor.
Near To Here:
Zenkashoin is located in Central Kyoto. See our complete list of things to do in Central Kyoto, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.

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