Cafes in Gion, Kyoto: 10 Must Visit List

Gion is one of the must visit locations in Kyoto for many reasons. It is one of the most traditional and exclusive entertainment districts of Japan, where if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to spot a Geisha on her way to a tea house. Gion is also home to many traditional style cafes where you can enjoy traditional and fusion desserts! This article has narrowed down the 10 most recommended cafes in Gion for you!

10 Traditional Kyoto Cafes That Will Take You Back In Time

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📍Where is Kyoto Prefecture?

Kyoto Prefecture is located on the sea of Japan Coast and borders Nara prefecture and Osaka prefecture to the south. It is known as the cultural capital of Japan and rich with famous, scenic, historical landmarks such as The Bamboo Forest, temples and shrines, and beautiful natural landscapes.

🚗Traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto
Plane: Around a 1hr 30mins flight.
Bullet Train: Around 2hrs 30mins to 3hrs.
Bus: Around 6hrs to 9hrs.

🚗Traveling from Osaka to Kyoto
Car: Around a 1hr drive.
Train: Shinkansen Bullet Train takes 15 mins, other trains take around 30 mins or more.

⭐Kyoto City Tourism Association Website: https://kyoto.travel/en/ (English)

📍Where is Gion?

Gion is a district in Kyoto, Japan famous as an entertainment district in the older days. The district was built with the aim to accommodate travelers who visit Yasaka shrine. Gion eventually became Japan’s well known and most exclusive Geisha district.

⭐
10 Must-Visit Cafes in Gion, Kyoto

①
🍵
家傳京飴祇園小石
Kadenkyoame Gion Koishi

This Gion café is located inside Kyoto’s famous candy shop that specializes in sweets made with brown sugar. In autumn, a limited edition parfait made with chestnut mousse and ice cream can be deliciously enjoyed here!

📍MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/rKsKmAtLKGRutd8E9
🚇Closest Station: Gion Shijo Station (Keihan Line) Exit 7 [5 mins walk]
Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Line) exit 1A [8 mins walk]

🕒Opening Hours: 10:30AM – 5:00PM (Closed on Tuesdays & Thursdays)
(Hours may differ depending on the state of emergency)
ℹ️Wesbite: https://www.g-koisi.com/index.html (Only in Japanese )
🕮Menu: https://www.g-koisi.com/hpgen/HPB/categories/9341.html (Only in Japanese)
📞Contact: 075-531-0331

②
🍵
鍵善良房
Kagizen Yoshifusa

This Gion cafe is a long-established Wagashi (Japanese traditional sweets)shop. On the first floor, there is a tea shop in the back where guests can enjoy Kuzukiri (Japanese traditional summer dessert) made from kudzu root powder. Kuzukiri is kept in ice water throughout the year and is served with kuromitsu (brown sugar sauce). They also sell very cute Japanese candies that are very suitabel as lovely souvenirs to bring back home to your loved ones.

More details here: Kawaii Wagashi: 5 Places To Get Cute Traditional Japanese Sweets In Kansai

📍MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/2tip8VxgY4YwJVhj8
🚇Closest Station: Gion Shijo Station (Keihan Line) Exit 7 [3 mins walk]
Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Line) exit 1A [5 mins walk]

🕒Opening Hours: 9:30AM – 6:00PM (Closed on Mondays)
(Hours may differ depending on the state of emergency)
ℹ️Wesbite: https://www.kagizen.co.jp/en/ (English)
🕮Menu: https://www.kagizen.co.jp/en/kissa/ (English)
📞Contact: 075-561-1818

③
🍵
京洋菓子司ジュヴァンセル祇園店
Jouvencelle Gion

This Gion Cafe’s specialty is western desserts made with Japanese ingredients. The recommended menu is the Gion Fondue, dipping delicious things into delicious green tea flavored chocolate fondue!

📍MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/ryMrnpTqZCK6bVb7A
🚇Closest Station: Gion Shijo Station (Keihan Line) Exit [10 mins walk]
Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Line) [15 mins walk]

🕒Opening Hours: 10:00AM – 6:00PM
(Hours may differ depending on the state of emergency)
ℹ️Wesbite: https://jouvencelle.jp/store/gion (Only in Japanese )
🕮Menu: https://jouvencelle.jp/store/gion (Only in Japanese)
📞Contact: 075-551-1511

④
🍵
祇園きなな
Gion Kinana

Kinana ice cream is healthy and leaves a fresh after taste. The ice cream here is unique because it is made with soybean flour made from Tanba Black Soybeans. Aside from the standard flavor, they also offer 6 other delicious flavors including green tea and brown sugar syrup. They also offer special menus which changes each day and no pre-orders are accepted for these. Don’t forget to drop by while taking a walk through Ishibe-Kouji Alley and try their specialty ice cream!

📍MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/tGXuaNRdgL3f873N6
🚇Closest Station: Gion Shijo Station (Keihan Line) Exit 6 [5 mins walk]
Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Line) exit 1B [8 mins walk]

🕒Opening Hours: 11:00AM – 5:30PM
(Hours may differ depending on the state of emergency)
ℹ️Wesbite: http://www.kyo-kinana.com/gionkinana/ (Only in Japanese )
🕮Menu: http://www.kyo-kinana.com/gionkinana/menu02.html (Only in Japanese)
📞Contact: 075-525-8300

⑤
🍵
ぎおん徳屋
Gion Tokuya

This Gion cafe is one of the most popular traditional Japanese cafes in the area. Their famous menu includes the hot Zenzai (mochi rice cakes in sweet red bean soup) which is a menu loved by locals especially in the winter!

📍MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/kHaH96VTPP9N9CDaA
🚇Closest Station: Gion Shijo Station (Keihan Line) Exit 6 [6 mins walk]
Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Line) exit 1A [8 mins walk]

🕒Opening Hours: 12:00AM – 6:00PM
(Hours may differ depending on the state of emergency)
ℹ️Wesbite: http://gion-tokuya.jp/ (Only in Japanese )
🕮Menu: http://gion-tokuya.jp/menu/index.html (Only in Japanese)
📞Contact: 075-561-5554

⑥
🍵
祗園NITI
Gion NITI

This Gion cafe is located inside a chic traditional Japanese townhouse. The interior inside is also stylish with with big windows showing a big a beautiful Japanese style garden. This cafe also doubles as a bar with great vibes.

📍MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/ePDSmBWQW41GXUn19
🚇Closest Station: Gion Shijo Station (Keihan Line) [10 mins walk]

🕒Opening Hours: 7:00PM – 1:30AM (Closed on Sundays)
(Hours may differ depending on the state of emergency)
ℹ️Wesbite: http://www.gion-niti.com/ (Only in Japanese )
🕮Menu: http://www.gion-niti.com/cafe/ (Only in Japanese)
📞Contact: 075-525-7128

⑦
🍵
ぎをん小森
Gion Komori

This Gion cafe serves Japanese sweets inside Gion’s traditional Japanese style townhouse. The interior and the tatami flooring brings out nostalgic vibes of the appealing elegant lifestyle from back in the days. They serve delicious Kyoto style parfaits made of luxurious green tea ice cream and Japanese sweets like Warabi Mochi (rice cakes covered in bean powder). Other than that, they also serve Japanese traditional desserts!

📍MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/vjKLEHDFCDQjQaTN6
🚇Closest Station: Gion Shijo Station (Keihan Line) Exit 9 [4 mins walk]
Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Line) exit 1A [8 mins walk]

🕒Opening Hours: 11:00AM – 7:30PM (Closed on Wednesdays)
(Hours mayb differ depending on the state of emergency)
ℹ️Wesbite: http://www.giwon-komori.com/ (Only in Japanese )
🕮Menu: http://www.giwon-komori.com/?mode=f2 (Only in Japanese)
📞Contact: 075-561-0504

⑧
🍵
Cafe 冨月
Cafe Fugetsu

This café has been operating in this townhouse for 3 generations. They have a lot of fusion Japanese sweets such as their Japanese style affogato with matcha and red bean ice cream!

📍MAP: https://g.page/gion-cafefugetsu?share
🚇Closest Station: Gion Shijo Station (Keihan Line) [5 mins walk]

🕒Opening Hours: Tue – Sat 11:00AM – 5:00PM Sun 11:00AM – 7:00PM (Closed on Mondays)
(Hours maybe differ depending on the state of emergency)
📞Contact: 075-561-5937

⑨
🍵
月ケ瀬祇園いちむら
Tsukigase

This Gion cafe’s specialty is the Anmitsu which is made with delicious smooth agar jelly. In spring, they serve the special Sakura Anmitsu which is made with red bean paste and cherry leaves.

📍MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/TvyxpF9uZ5fnTUGv9
🚇Closest Station: Gion Shijo Station (Keihan Line)

🕒Opening Hours: 12:00AM – 6:00PM (Closed on Wednesdays)
(Hours maybe differ depending on the state of emergency)
ℹ️Wesbite: https://tsukigase.jp/en-about (English)
🕮Menu: https://tsukigase.jp/en-menu (English)
📞Contact: 075-525-2131

⑩
🍵
茶寮都路里祇園本店
Saryo Tsujiri Main Branch

This Gion cafe is run by the long-established and famous Uji teashop called Gion Tsujiri.

📍MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/v1gScGpdSzi6v1Tg6
🚇Closest Station: Gion Shijo Station (Keihan Line) Exit 6 [3 mins walk]
Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Line) exit 1B [6 mins walk]

🕒Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00AM – 5:00PM Sat-Sun 11:00AM – 6:00PM
(Hours may differ depending on the state of emergency)
ℹ️Wesbite: https://www.giontsujiri.co.jp/en/ (English)
🕮Menu: https://www.giontsujiri.co.jp/en/products/food/ (English)
📞Contact: 075-561-2257

Which café in Gion do you want to visit first? 🥰🥰

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