Marukyu Koyamaen Nishinotoin ★ 4.4

Fukujuen Kyoto Honten ★ 4.2

A six-floor Uji-tea house on Shijo-dori, Kyoto. Tea blending in the basement classroom, a soba-and-matcha lunch on the second, hojicha creme brulee on top.

Signature drink: Single-estate matcha

Yugen Kyoto ★ 4.4

A modern matcha cafe and tasting room on Sanjo-dori, Kyoto. Matcha and hojicha by farm, plus the city's best Kyoto-style cold milk-matcha programme.

Signature drink: Kyoto-style iced matcha latte

Kagizen Yoshifusa ★ 4.6

An 18th-century wagashi maker on Shijo-dori with a tatami tea room behind the storefront. Tsukimi rabbit jellies and the most quoted kuzukiri in Kyoto.

Signature drink: Kuzukiri with kuromitsu

Fukujuen Kyoto Honten ★ 4.2

A six-floor Uji-tea house on Shijo-dori, Kyoto. Tea blending in the basement classroom, a soba-and-matcha lunch on the second, hojicha creme brulee on top.

Signature drink: Single-estate matcha

Yugen Kyoto ★ 4.4

A modern matcha cafe and tasting room on Sanjo-dori, Kyoto. Matcha and hojicha by farm, plus the city's best Kyoto-style cold milk-matcha programme.

Signature drink: Kyoto-style iced matcha latte

Alt. Coffee Roasters ★ 4.3

Alt. in Nakagyo in Kyoto is a one-woman specialty coffee shop, ex-dietician owner roasting her own beans, daily batch brew and a single counter inside.

Signature drink: Single-origin batch brew

Order: Daily batch brew of the rotating single origin on the chalk board.

Tip: Six seats; the owner roasts and pours. Closed Tuesdays. Cash and IC card only.

Akatsuki Coffee ★ 4.4

A husband-and-wife cafe near Ichijoji in north Kyoto, with a no-laptops policy. Weekenders beans on the pour-over and homemade cakes refreshed daily.

Signature drink: Weekenders blend pour-over

Dot.S ★ 4.2

An espresso bar and Smart Car showroom in Okazaki, Kyoto, beside the National Museum of Modern Art. Single O Japan and And Coffee Roasters on rotation.

Signature drink: Single O Japan pour-over