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Lost in Time
Timepiece Cafe
Address: Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Otabicho, 19 ๆฑ ๅใใซ 3F
Instagram: timepiece_cafe_kyoto
Today’s cafe is a second visit for me, and one of my first cafe’s to go to with my mom. She was living in Kyoto with me for 2 months, and I was struggling with my Izakaya (Japanese Bar/restaurant) job, so I was scoping the place out before applying to one of their barista openings! It was actually 1 year ago, which feels so long ago, but also like it was yesterday haha.
Anyway, Timepiece Cafe is really easy to miss since it’s behind an ally and up a flight of stairs. The only hint of their existence is the simple sign above that’s microscopic compared to the bright McDonalds sign next door. Never the less, like all the other cafe’s I visit, this place is so much more than this little sign!
After climbing the stairs and making the minute walk through a narrow hallway, a warm and welcoming space opens up before my eyes. The biggest thing to me was how homey and heartwarming the place felt. There was minimal decorations with a variety of sofas in different sizes and shapes that made up the seating.
My favorite section of the cafe was counter near the entrance. The seating there is small but the wall has an amazing set of trinkets and plants that are laid out on simple wooden, wall shelves. The looked beautiful under the hanging lights.
I don’t know if this is just me, but whenever I go somewhere or experience something, my memory attributes a song to it, kinda of like my head’s very own sound track haha. Anyway, all I could hear was “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles, and so of course I used that song for my Instagram Reel. What is it with these places and the Beatles?! ๐
Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun;
And I say, it’s all right ๐ต
The BeatlesAside from the shelves, the other main wall decor was the GIANT menus. I think they were blackboards with the menu written in white chalk on them, but I’m not 100% sure. Either way it gave me a DIY vibe and reminded me of school. It was also an easy way to gauge what they served here. Plus it’s all in English!
Ok, enough interior design talk haha, I know you guys are waiting for the good part: the FOOD!!! Me and my friend Sara went at around 4 pm so it was kind of a weird time of day. I wasn’t very hungry so I got a cup of hot coffee, black of course, and for desert I ordered an apple soufflรฉ which was to DIE for. Imagine a fancy apple pie that melts in your mouth ๐
My friend, on the other hand, just got off work and was starving so she got more of a lunch then a desert. She ordered a fancy grilled cheese that came with a little salad on the side. For her drink she got a grapefruit juice that came with an adorable Moomin-Papa coaster.
Given the time of day, the rest of the cafe was pretty empty with only 2 other customers. The menu had a lot of lunch & dinner options, and apparently the 3rd floor is a diner, while this 2nd floor is just a cafe. Still, the quiet and homey atmosphere was perfect for relaxing and releasing steam. We were both able to catch up and even have a little rant!
Everything tasted great and the staff were totally cooperative with my photo shoots. Now that I’m taking photos on my camera and filming on my phone for TikToks & Instagram, every cafe visit is a hectic mix of ordering and content creation!
For those looking for a quiet place for lunch or afternoon tea, go check out Timepiece Cafe, and make sure you don’t miss the sign! ๐ Also go check out the new Instagram reel too!! As always, Happy Eating!!
-Maririn ๐
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More than a Bakery
Coco Kirari Bakery
Address: Kyoto, Fushimi Ward, Fukakusasu Jikaibashi, 2 Chomeโ433-1 ๅฑ ้ ๅฑ่ฑๆฐดๆจ
Instagram: cocokirari
Today’s bakery has a special place in my heart with years of memories and emotions. Coco Kirari is a family run bakery located just a couple buildings down from my house. I live in a shopping district, so all of my neighbors are clothing stores, flower shops, and of course, this bakery. The food is amazing, but more than that, the people are amazing. I practically grew up here.
This bakery is actually built from an old Machiya, which is a traditional Japanese house. My house and most of the other shops are also renovated Machiyas. Coco Kirari, in particular, just did another renovation, and the already cozy place became even cuter!!
The name is actually a combination of the first Japanese letter (consonant & vowel) from the names of each family member!
My favorite addition to the bakery is the ground in front of the entrance. Little gold letters spelling bonjour are set into the cement in an arch like shape, which is super cute me. I honestly missed it the first time I went in after the construction was over.
With this sweet welcome, I walked into the little bakery to see the day’s selection of breads. They have everything from loafs, pastries, sandwiches, and even little treats. They also have a tiny fridge of juices to enjoy your bread with. Every week, me and my grandma buy a fresh loaf of their Shoku-pan to eat for that week, and I can’t get enough!!
They also added some really cute and vintage decorations to the shelves above the bread. I really liked the playfulness of the dolls and little blocks. I also felt a subtle retro vibe from some of the older items on display.
I also got some close up shots on my favorite treats they have. As a kid I always got melon bread or one of the little scones on display here. It brings back memories of when me and my dad, along with my sister, would bring our own plates and make the 2 min walk over to pick up our freshly baked breakfast!
Today, I decided to try their new desert item that looked too good to eat. It was a simple doughnut, that had the texture of a croissant and was filled with freshly whipped dream, strawberries, and covered in chocolate. Trust me, it tasted even better than how pretty it looks.
The strawberries look like little rubies and they were super juicy. I don’t know why, but fruits just taste so much better in Japan! The best part of this bakery is that I can see them baking all the bread and making the dough while I do my shopping. I always get to catch up with the owners when I go to pick up my weekly loaf and they are both super sweet.
I love this bakery and both of them so much. They were always so sweet to me when I was a kid, and they often tell me about how crazy I was when I was kid haha. Apparently I used to run back and forth in front of their shop and they had to scold me for bothering traffic lol ๐ . Anyway, it’s safe to say this place is so much more than a bakery to me, and I hope my readers also get the chance to feel the love and warmth of Coco Kirari some day!
As always, the rest of the photos are on the photo album page, and a new TikTok & Instagram post are also up!! Happy Eating!
-Maririn ๐
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A Wolf in the Woods
Walden Woods Kyoto
Address: 508-1 Sakaecho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8194
Instagram: waldenwoodskyoto
I’m back in Kyoto!! The last few posts have been more like a tour of the Kansai Region than focusing on Kyoto, but the break is over, and I’m here with my 1st Kyoto cafe post in a HOT minute haha ๐
Today’s cafe is unlike any of the past posts. Walden Woods cafe felt like a pocket of winter. For those who don’t know me personally, I LOVE Game of Thrones and binged that show 1 too many times with my dad. Anyway, the all white interior and wolf mascots gave me Winterfell vibes that were too strong to ignore!!๐คฉ
See what I mean?! 
Standing outside and looking in, Walden Woods look pretty small, but once I stepped in, the openess of the 1st floor really changed my perspective. It was nice because the counter for ordering doubled as a small wall, allowing me and other customers to watch them grind and brew the coffee in real time!
Aside from drip coffee, this cafe specializes in the Canelles. I tried this french pastry for the first time in my first blog post ever, feels so long ago haha ๐ , and I’ve been wanting to try it again ever since. They had a ton of flavors in glass cases so you can see what you’re ordering.
They also had a wide selection of drip coffees that all looked really good, and the menu was in English so it made ordering a lot easier. I ordered the Walden Wolf Blend to continue with the Dire Wolf theme, and it did NOT disappoint!
As for the canelles it was a tough choice but I got an iced lemon flavored one and a blueberry flavored one. My cafe date got the same iced lemon one with a chocolate flavored instead!! They all looked super cute and smelled amazing!! The real treat, however, was in the upstairs seating area.
After getting our food, we headed upstairs to sit down and get to eating, but to our surprise there was a whole TREE in the center of the room!! Beautiful doesn’t begin to encompass the view.
The tree itself was cool, but in my opinion, the ceiling and the shadows created on the floor were the real stars of the show. Since the entire room was white, the white tree almost blended in. On the other hand, the black of the shadows contrasted against all the white to create a hypnotic spiderweb like pattern! I felt like this was mirrored in the ceilings intricate pillars too.
The seating was also a first for me. Unlike the previous cafes that had individual tables with chairs or sofas for seating, Walden Woods had one long and continuous bench that surrounded the tree while lining the room. To be honest, it was a little uncomfortable to eat on my lap, but the simple lamps that were aligned with the bench was a nice accent.
The low lighting and the all white interior was giving major whimsical and ethereal vibes, and there was even a corner with little ceramic birds that was super pretty. I was also able to get some cool pictures of the food and drinks with it.
These were too gorgeous to not post ๐ 
I thought the wolf mug was super cute and the canelles tasted amazing. The Blueberry one was a little dry but it had a strong blueberry flavor. The Lemon one on the other hand was SUPER moist, and the icing was also lemon flavored. It was definitely my favorite of the two.
Aside from the food, Walden Woods also had 2 cute Merchandise corners, and it was also fun to watch the baristas working the coffee dripper.
Anyway, photos aside, Walden Woods was new and fun cafe experience. It’s actually surrounded by traditional housing and there’s a little playground across the street. When I was navigating the location with Google Maps, I kept refreshing to make sure I wasn’t going to a dead end haha. They’re coffee and interior was definitely the highlight, and if you become a fan like me, then I suggest you pick up one of their point cards for a free coffee and canelle after 10 orders!!
As always, Happy eating!!
-Maririn ๐
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Snoopy & the Peanuts Gang
Peanuts Hotel Kobe
Address: 1 Chome-22-26 Nakayamatedori, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0004
Instagram: peanutshotel
On this cloudy Wednesday afternoon, I got to spend my time with a classmate and friend, Akiko, at this adorable Peanuts themed hotel. I actually didn’t realize it was a hotel until my post photoshoot research! Once again, I am out of Kyoto for this post and am taking a short trip to Kobe, in Hyogo Prefecture!
Despite this being my 4th or fifth visit to Kobe, I, like always, got lost in Sannomiya’s intricate train station. There’s like 3-4 different lines that intersect there, and they each have their own exit/headquarters, so it’s safe to say I got lost more that once haha. But once I got out, the Urban landscape was a site to see. Coming from Kyoto, seeing tall industrial buildings is always a refreshing experience haha.
After meeting up, and the whirlwind of hugs and greetings, we set our sights to the Peanuts Hotel, with the help of Google Maps of course ๐ FYI Akiko is a classmate of mine who has a youtube channel so it was nice to be with someone who was also going to take their time getting content. I always take a little extra time from all the camera work and filming I do ๐ Anyway I will link her youtube channel at the end of the post and the footer of the homepage so definitely go check her out ๐๐ป!!
After a bit of walking and struggling with the directions we found the Peanuts Hotel and the iconic Snoopy logo. The outside was all black and white, which was very chic, unlike the cutesy interior. Upon entering, we found a little gift shop and a small counter to order. On the opposing wall was a tiny sitting area with barstools and little tables. I was a little disappointed by how small and limited the menu and area was, but we soon realized that this was only the Cafe.
Little did we know that there was a whole diner and hotel on the other levels of the building. We quickly decided to head upstairs to the Diner on the 3rd floor. On our way up the stairs, we kept taking photos of the cute little bits from the peanuts comic painted on the walls. The elevator was also painted bright red, with the hotel’s logo on it.
After making it up the stairs and entering the diner we knew we made the right choice. Everything was open and much bigger with proper tables and chairs. Again, there were many different wall decors to fill the room with Peanuts nostalgia. It also had a nice balance of natural light from the windows and artificial interior lights making for perfectly exposed photos!!
Of course, the best part of every cafe experience is the food and this diner had a diverse menu of Lunch/Dinner options as well as cute desserts and milk shakes to enjoy. Thankfully the menu came with photos of the food, so don’t worry if you can’t read Japanese! We took a long time to choose what to order since they all looked AMAZING ๐คฉ !
After some internal struggles and flipping through the menu a few too many times, we finally decided on our orders. Akiko went with the Peanut Butter milkshake and the Mille Crepe, both looked amazing! I, on the other hand, still needed my daily caffeine fix, so I stuck to my usual black coffee and decided to try the event special!
As you may have noticed from the photos, the event special I ordered was everything Strawberry for Valentines. I know it’s a little late, but hey, everyday is Valentines day to my tummy ๐ With a crunchy Oreo crust and refreshing Strawberry mouse, it was a perfect mix with my coffee!
While we were eating I noticed the small details in the silverware and coasters that added to the Snoopy feeling!! I’m always amazed by this place’s attention to detail.
After eating we also had a mini photoshoot with the props and cute wall art. My favorite was the snoopy stuffed animals on the 1st floor. The workers there let us rearrange them and they even took our photos for us!! (everyone was too sweet ๐ญ)
All in all, the Peanuts Hotel was amazing! This place was a little different from my usual choice for a cafe but I’m really glad Akiko recommended it. Everything from the food to the interior and the staff was super welcoming and heart warming. This place easily gets a 10 out of 10!! If you don’t want to sit down and are looking for something quicker then the 1st floor cafe is a good choice. There’s even a gift shop there! Next time you’re in Sannomiya, Kobe, go check it out!!
-Maririn ๐
Lately I have been branching out of Instagram and Facebook into the world of TikTok!! I made my first video on this place so you can see the cafe from my POV. I hope you guys like it and please leave recommendations on what you all want to see more of or what I can improve on!! I really appreciate your support!! Click the icon below to check it out ๐๐ผ
Also, I mentioned this earlier in the post, but my friend Akiko is an amazing Youtuber and Vlogger so definitely check out her videos. They focus on her life in Japan as a university student and you might see me a couple of times too!! Click the Icon below to check her out and show some love and support to her too!!
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Lost in Nature
La Collina by Club Hare
Address: 615-1 Kitanoshocho, Omihachiman, Shiga 523-8533
Tel #: 0748-33-6666
Following our strawberry binge, me and the rest of the group headed to La Collina, a fun cafe/garden. I had been here before in the summer, but it still amazes me how the living vegetation becomes one with the buildings, literally. In the summer everything was super green, but now that it’s winter there’s a certain elegance to the dead grass and moss. It gives me house on the prairie vibes.
This place is located in the neighboring Shiga prefecture, and, though named La Collina, is actually a branch of the dessert company Club Hare. Known for their Baumkuchen, the first building is completely dedicated to showcasing the massive cylinder on which the batter is poured in layers to create the classic rings. The best part is that the outside is coated in a thin layer of simple icing creating a little crust of sugar!
Even the display is shaped like a Baumkuchen! The other side of the front building was dedicated to the Wagashi, or Japanese sweets, that they produced. My favorite part of the display was an entire wall decorated with traditional wooden moulds that artisans would use to create the detailed designs in their Wagashi.
At the center was a simple black staircase that led up to the 2nd floor housing a cafe to enjoy some freshly baked Baumkuchen! Unfortunately I was too full to eat their, but it lead right up to the highlight of the building: The Ceiling!!
I found this design so hypnotic that I couldn’t stop staring at it ๐ฑ La Collina is HUGE, and this is just the 1st building of many. They had a super cute map that looked like a hand drawn picture colored with crayons and colored pencils. It also showed some of the insects you might see on your walk around the garden!
I LOVE how cute this is. Also, there’s a Baumkuchen with a mask ๐ท Once we exited the building, the large open field was exposed with a curving hallway that surrounds the grassy area. The ceiling was made with Black and White alternating pieces making a cool illusion as you walked through. To the left there was an open plaza with a number of small vendors offering different food options to enjoy in the outdoor seating. Given the freezing temperatures and snow it was pretty empty, but the overall look was very rustic and slightly industrial.
The blue staircase is actually connected to the next buidling which was more of a gift shop than a cafe with a very USA theme. There was a ton of vintage cars, bikes, license plates, and even buses that matched that rustic look outside of it!! These cars were definitely a highlight of the entire experience.
Aren’t these cars super cool, may favorite one is actually on the outside and is taken over my vegetation, almost like the manmade object was lost in nature.
Once we exited the building we walked to an open area with colorful beach chairs and a wall covered entirely in murals and paintings. There was also a big yellow school bus and a cute pink Baumkuchen food truck that gave me Valentine’s day vibes. Me and my cousins has a mini photoshoot haha ๐ . There’s even a stage so I highly recommend it for people who like set’s with their photos on Instagrams!!
My favorite part of La Collina is the sculptures found on the right-hand side of the trippy hallway I mentioned earlier. They are organically shaped with little doors at the bottom that give fairycore vibes and make for the cutest photos. It kind of reminds me of Studio Ghibli movies haha! And, yes, the doors actually work, and the door to the farthest right actually leads to a mini room!
After a quick photo shoot and getting my little cousins, who are in 5th and 8th grade, to go thruogh the doors and into the little room, we made our way to the last section of La Collina which is the Castella building. Aside from Baumkuchen, they also serve Castella which is a type of sponge cake with a distinctive flavor that, unless you’ve tried it, is impossible to describe. All I can say is that it’s DELICIOUS!
When you walk, the first thing you notice is all the wooden beams that seam to sprout out of the ground and act as see through walls! There is also a large glass window so you can watch the cooks bake and cut the Castella cakes!
Though we didn’t eat there at the cafe, we bought some for the road, and they were soft and spongy inside with a slightly crispy crust on top. They are usually sliced into think rectangles, but we got the muffin shaped one in the photo above. 10/10 would recommend you guys to try it out for yourselves.
Though we didn’t get to properly sit and eat at any of the spots it’s definitely a unique experience. I recommend coming during the summer since its a little warmer and everything is bright green. I actually made an Instagram post of my first visit on my main Instagram page so you can see just how green it is during the warmer weather. Still, it’s a great place for dates and for kids as well!! Happy Eating!
-Maririn ๐
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High on Strawberries
Felice Strawberry Farms
Address: 2269 Hie, Yasu, Shiga 520-2434
Instagram: felice_1583
Though I focus on food places in Kyoto, this post, along with the following La Corina post, will feature the neighboring Shiga prefecture. For those wondering why the shift in location, I have cousins, an 8th grader and 3rd grader, who live there, and I always love having fun sleep-overs at their gorgeous house. Plus, they have a car which means I can go to places, like an actual strawberry farm, that a train cant really get me too haha.
Felice is a Strawberry farm that has huge green houses with endless rows of strawberries. This being my first ever strawberry picking, it was safe to say I was jumping in my car seat to eat!! We had an hour for all you can eat, so me and my cousins prepared ourselves for fierce strawberry eating competition.
Before entering the actual greenhouses, there was a cute little reception tent where we got to set out 1 hour timer and set our bags and coats down to get down and dirty in the strawberry fields.
Once we got into the green house, I was hit with the intense heat and humidity that filled the plastic covered room. Talk about a 180 shift from the blizzard raining down on us outside haha. The humidity clouded my lens so at times I’d get this cool blurry photo that reminded me of the Beatles song ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’
“Let me take you down, ’cause I’m going to Strawberry Fields~”
BeatlesThis song brings back so many memories of road trips with my dad, and after the amount of strawberries I ate in the sweaty heat, I felt like I was literally high on strawberries haha ๐
Anyway, we grabbed our containers and headed straight to the rows to collect all the best looking strawberries. I was pretty busy getting pictures at the beginning, but once I tasted one of the plump, red strawberries I was immediately taken aback by the juiciness and how sweet they were!! American strawberries have nothing against these babies!
After some eating, I noticed a growing buzzing sound, and when I looked down I saw a mini bee hive, where the busy pollinators brought back their collected nectar. kneeling down to take their photo also exposed me to a new point of view which made for this beautiful picture. Absolutely in LOVE!
Isn’t this view just STUNNING ๐คฉ After a while my hands were dripping in Strawberry juice and stained red, almost like a crime scene, guess that makes me a serial strawberry killer haha. Anyway, I knew I couldn’t handle the camera with these hands so me and my cousins quickly picked some big ones, we went back to the table with our luggage to wash our hands and sit down. The red and white checkered sable clothes made for the cutest pictures!!
The bag in the background is actually made by my Mom’s cousin’s wife (what a mouthful!) and she also made the earrings that I wore that day. Click the icon below to check out her store!! 
Isn’t this table cloth too perfect?! ๐ 
It’s safe to say we got our money’s worth of strawberries, though I was a slave to my bladder for the rest of that day haha ๐ I wished I had counted but I don’t think I had ever eaten that many strawberries in one setting!
I know this post wasn’t a Cafe like I usually stick to, but I couldn’t help sharing the experience I had and the photos of the huge red strawberries! Definitely check them out if you go to Shiga Prefecture, and dress for the heat cause it’s a sauna in there! As always, Happy Eating!!
-Maririn ๐
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The 3 Marilyns
Cafe Boogaloo
Address: ใ604-8047 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Nakasujicho, 488, Ohyama Bld., 2้
Tel: 075-213-1610
Instagram: boogaloocafe
I started the day at a rural elementary school where I teach english to the young students. Though technically a job, it always just feels like playtime that comes with a paycheck. We sang songs and played games, and after an hour of the a dopamine high, I was free to spend the rest of the day for myself. I had actually gone to Direct Coffee, my previous blog post, the day before so I was planning on heading to a Starbucks to get some photo editing and writing done.
Just as I got home, I noticed a text from my friend from Yokohama, which I learned is not technically Tokyo, saying he was in Kyoto and wanted to meet up. My boring day just got super exciting, and I hurried back on the train to head to downtown for coffee.
Having been here once before, Cafe Boogaloo wasn’t a sudden discovery but a reliable place to get afternoon tea or even a meal. Though it had been a while since I last ate there, one image was burned into my memory filing cabinet: the 3 Marilyn Monroe paintings.
I wish I had gotten the 3 portraits in one photo, but the glare from the window was a little too blinding for my liking. The painting gave off major Andy Warhall vibes, and the rest of the cafe complimented the artwork with a funky mix of light fixtures and couches. Upon first glance, I would have forgotten I was in Kyoto.
The Lights themselves were pieces of art too. There were lantern like hanging lights and one that looked like a planet. My favorite was a stand light that almost looked like a giant version of the Pixar jumping lamp haha!
After finding our seats and settling in, we decided to look through the menu and order. I was shocked by how thick the menu was. I honestly thought it was a fake novel for decor at first, but once we opened it up we found lots of drinks, sweets, and foods. This place was like a mashup of a cafe and a restaurant.
After much contemplation, I decided to get the Gateau Chocolate, which is just a fancy browny/cake, with my classic cup of Black coffee. My friend isn’t the biggest coffee fan so he choose an earl grey pound cake with a hot black tea to drink. Little did we know that our orders would come with cute companions to add some life to our cakes.
I really liked how the plates gave a pop of color to the different shades of brown that made up the food and drinks. I think it matched the funky vibe of the cafe and made for interesting photos. My black coffee was pretty general, with a bitter after taste but it matched nicely with my semi-sweet Gateau Chocolate, which was super moist. I didn’t try my friends Earl Grey poundcake but it looked really spongy, and it should squish down each time he cut off a piece with his fork.
Both plates came with a small scoop of vanilla ice-cream topped with a little biscuits. Mine was in the shape of a small man and my friend’s was in the shape of a giraffe. We both went for the body and left a cute decapitated head, which I knew I had to get a photo of!! Also, ignore our morbid sense of humor haha!
Which one do you like better? Leave your answer in the comments!!
Don’t forget to leave a comment and check out the photo album page to see all the photos I took since there’s a lot more to see!! As always, Happy Eating!!
Overall, this place was a 10 out of 10 for its interior, but the coffee was so-so and the sweets weren’t anything amazing. I get the feeling that this is more of a restaurant than a cafe and I definitely think I should come back for lunch or dinner instead, but if you want a fun place to take photos and take your time, then Boogaloo is the place for you.
-Maririn ๐
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What a Coincidence?!
Direct Coffee
Address: 106-2 Yaoyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8072
Tel: 075-354-5101
Instagram: directcoffee_kyoto
Today me and my cousin met up to go see her senior final project at Seika University. She is an amazingly talented artist majoring in Manga Character design. So, basically, I have a manga artist for a cousin!! (Yes, I’m way too excited about this haha). Anyway, we wanted to go to a cafe after to get some coffee and catch up on life, so after browsing Instagram I found a strawberry filled profile for a cafe called Direct Coffee!
After looking at all the amazing projects and designs, me and Suzuka, my cousin, faced the challenge of finding Direct Coffee, now I am an avid fan of google maps, my dad would kill me if he saw how bad I am with maps haha. Anyway, we literally went in circles trying to find our way through the small alleyways and back streets of Kyoto. I swear outside the major streets Kyoto city is an entire labyrinth.
Somehow, though, we managed to push through the freezing wind and many small intersections to find ourselves in front of this literal hole in the wall cafe. Instantly I am shocked, I actually passed this place once before. It’s actually funny because, initially, I pointed it out to Suzuka saying that I wanted to go in there sometime and how I had taken a photo on my phone to archive the location, but I kept walking until she said, “Isn’t this it?” I mean, what a coincidence?! ๐
When I say hole in the wall, I literally mean hole, because this place is TIGHT. She’s narrow but deep, and seats go back pretty far. Unfortunately, we had to wait a little bit since it was at full capacity, so I highly recommend, for those looking to come here, to make a reservation before hand. I added their phone number at the top. Also, dress warm, cause Kyoto winter is COLD ๐ฅถ
Once we entered, however, the dimly lit interior instantly warmed me up. The cafe is very cozy with bunddles of dried flowers all around, hung upside down or in vases, for decoration. It gave me of cottage core/ethereal vibes and I absolutely loved it!!
These were the flowers that hung over our head. I felt like a Fairy!! 
Given how crowded the cafe was I didn’t get many photos of the entire cafe, but the cash register, where we ordered, had an adorable display of pasteries, and little tags for the other desserts. Behind that was an open bar like counter where I could easily see the baristas at work. I got some great shots of that and I loved the lights that lined the counter. Even though there weren’t any chairs out that day, I remeber last time I peaked my head in, counter stools lined the bar, so I would love to sit there and watch them make my coffee next time!
This was a super cute & creative way to display that heat sensitive options! ๐ Additionally, the menu was very diverse with many choice to choose from, all most too many haha. But after some deliberation we decided that we would both get the Panna Cotta since we came for one thing, and one thing only: STRAWBERRIES!
It’s a BIG menu, so there’s something for everyone!! After ordering we went back to our little table under the dried flower bundles and got a chance to fill each other in on whats going on with our lives. I actually saw her for new years in January, but we didn’t get to really talk, so it was nice to get a chance to near what she’s been up to. Not soon after sitting, however, the barista who took our order brought our desserts and I could not stop clicking the camera!
They’re so cute!! I’m glad we stuck with the Panna Cotta. Despite ordering the same sweets, we went separate ways with the beverages. My cousin isn’t the biggest fan of black coffee, and she likes hers extra sweet with lots of milk. I honestly think she likes her coffee with more milk & sugar than actual coffee ๐. Of course, I stuck to my favorite: Black coffee. I actually got a Kenyan blend, which was a first for me, and I think it might be my new favorite. The bitterness was very mild and it went down smoothly without that sour after taste. It actually tasted richer when it was cooler.
Also, this Panna Cotta was a first for me. It was like a milk custard with a strong Vanilla aroma. Super creamy and rich, this dessert felt like vanilla ice-cream became a yogurt. It also came with a small dish of strawberry jam that was a little tart, and went perfectly with the milky base. And, of course, the strawberries were not only visually pleasing, but added a little extra texutre to the otherwise custard like dessert.
After finishing our coffee and sweets, we got needed some water and, fitting with the rest of the cafe, the self-service water stand was just as aesthetic.
All-in-all, I would rate this place a 10 out of 10. The coffee was fantastic, the sweets were great, a little tight, but the interior was aesthetically pleasing and calming. Again, I would definitely make a reservation before hand to get a seat farther away from the door where its a little chilly. Don’t forget to check out the Photo album’s page for the full set of photos I got. Hope you guys enjoy this cafe just as much as I do, and happy eating!
-Maririn ๐
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Infused with Love
Cafe Enfused
Location: 124 Okazaki Enshojicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8344
Instagram: enfuse_kyoto
Now that I’m officially on Spring Break from University, I filled my calendar with cafe dates, and this is the first of the lot. Connected to the Kyocera Art Gallery near Heian Jingu Shrine, Cafe Enfuse has been on my cafe bucket list for ages. My cafe date, Sara, actually looked the place up on Instagram the night before, and I only connected the 2 dots when I showed up bright and early the next morning haha ๐
Anyway, there was a short wait, not even 10 minutes, but in the mean time I was able to get the iconic window pic from outside. This gallery has really cool windows that curve, but of course the minute I pull out the camera the waitress starts closing the curtains on the blinding sun, still a cool architectural bit though. You can also see the beautiful Torii gate that Heian Jingu Shrine is famous for.
After a quick snap of the camera, it was our turn to eat and I couldn’t be more excited!! The biggest thing I noticed was the amount of natural sunlight that lit up the chic and simplistic cafe. The windows were definitely a plus and the white curtains created gorgeous light trails on the photos. With a white, black and wood brown color pallet, the color of the food and drinks really popped.
Everything was super stylish and clean. The interior lighting was also minimal so I bet the place would have a mysterious aura at night or evening. Definitely a good date spot, probably more romantic at night though.
Me and my friend sat at a little round table with the cutest glasses ever! The menu had lunch and alcohol options aside from their sweets and teas. Some of the other tables had really colorful salads that looked delicious so it might be a fun place for lunch too. We stuck to the sweets though ๐
Isn’t this the cutest Coaster!! love the rustic look with the stamp ๐ After looking over the menu, we decided to do the sweets set where a dessert and drink combo is cheaper then ordering the 2 separately. I went with the Seasonal Tart with an Iced Darjeeling tea. This season happened to be apples so I essentially ordered a bougie apple pie. My friend, Sara, got a Rare Cheese cake with a hot Earl Grey tea. I know I usually go for a hot cup of coffee with my sweets but the amber look of the Ice tea was too perfect with the atmosphere. It even came with a super cute coaster.
The Cheesecake was dense and creamy with a side of tart blueberry jam, a perfect mix of rich and fresh flavors. The tart was also amazing. The top apples were thinly sliced and caramelized, with a richer apple custard and crust underneath. The tea was also very refreshing and cut the sweetness of the desserts nicely. I couldn’t stop eating haha ๐
Seasonal Tart: Apple Aside from the food, the atmosphere of the cafe was also very chill, and calming. I had run a little late to our meetup time so the rush of catching the bus and running to the gallery was washed away by the white interior and delicious food. Me and my friend got to catch up on our post-school lives and enjoyed each other’s company in the slow paced cafe infused with love.
These are just a few of the photos I took, and the 2 to the left were actually taken by my date Sara, Isn’t she a good photographer!! I highly recommend those in search of date ideas to check out Cafe Enfuse along with the Kyocera Art Gallery and the Impressive Heian Jingu Shrine right next door. There is also a beautiful garden that surrounds the entire area so those in Kyoto in March-April should swing by to see the cherry blossoms in bloom!! I have attached the rest of the Photos I took in the Photo Album page so go check that out too!!
-Maririn ๐
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The Hidden Surprise
Cafe Ushiro
Location: Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Masuyacho, 75 TSUGUไบฌ้ฝไธๆก THE SHARE HOTELS 1้
Instagram @ushiro_kyoto
During an afternoon stroll with me good friend Chiharu, I noticed a small sign in the corner of my eye. I love talking and so caught up in the conversation, I think it was about the weather haha, that I nearly missed the innocent looking thing. Boy am I glad I didn’t!
Translating to “Behind”, Cafe Ushiro was a neat find for a random walk, and it’s hidden location absolutely lives up to its name. Though the photo doesn’t show it clearly, this sign was SMALL, and the cafe itself lay nestled between the back of a hotel and the back of a used clothes store. Honestly, whoever designed that floor planning deserves a pay raise.
Feeling skeptical, me and my friend walked through the ally-way, pass the hotel reception and down a short flight of dimly lit stairs to find a delightful surprise. The cafe was very open with an Industrial interior theme and dried flower arrangements as decorations. Definitely gave me underground haven vibes.
Before I could get a chance to take in the quiet atmosphere I was hit with the smell of coffee and vanilla. I new I had to order something first to satisfy my hunger. It’s safe to say I forgot all about my diet for the couple of hours I spent there.
The menu was very simple and to the point, but the display of goodies next to it soon became the star of the show. We got there in the late afternoon so some of the food choices were sold out but we were still able to satisfy our cravings.
The cafe also offered a takeout option as well, though I can’t imagine why someone wouldn’t want to enjoy their muffin in this amazing space. (If you can’t tell I absolutely love this place!)
For my beverage I ordered a black coffee, and my friend got a a Ceylon tea. Right when we were having our mini photo shoot one of the waiters came by and placed this cute card on my coffee cup, and it was too perfect to not immortalize in photography.
From the sweets they offered, I ordered a Catalana. I had no idea what it was before this, but imagine a creme brรปlรฉe, but frozen on the bottom. She still had the famous caramelized top, but instead of a semi-runny bottom the creme part was like ice cream. It was a solid 10 out of 10 and was a cool contrast to my hot coffee.
My friend ordered the Cannele and it was actually my first time every trying these. I don’t know why but I always associated Cannele with old people and raisins, which I am NOT the biggest fan of. Maybe its the way they look…
Anyway, it tasted a lot better then I was expecting. The exterior was a bit stiffer, almost crunchy, and the inside was rich and doughy. In Japan there’s a phrase “Mochi-Mochi” which is used to describe the texture of mochi to other things, like in this case Canneles!
Both of these were AMAZING, and almost too cute to eat! Luckily I was able to overcome the internal struggle and despite devouring it in a few minutes, the atmosphere was too good to leave. After sipping on coffee and talking we realized it had been over 2 hours ๐ฑ I wish i got more photos of the interior, especially the dried flowers, but the whole place was very soothing.
This is only my first blog post so I am still experimenting with the layout and typing with my own voice. I just finished up my fall semester at university, and after writing a ton of boring papers it takes me a sec to switch back to my usual casual voice haha.
I miss writing like this and it’s so fun to see everything come together. For those in Kyoto or planning on coming I would highly recommend Cafe Ushiro for a quiet afternoon!
-Maririn ๐
Very well written and interesting
Thank You Alice!! Love you so muchhhhhh.
MASAAAAAA thank you ๐ญ I will!! I’ll take you to a cafe before school starts!
This is soooo interesting!!!! I love this, keep it up:)
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Tea Time with Maririn 
bitch shut the fuck up i dont care about your opinion.