The roasters writing the coffee scene in Kyoto: who they are, where they source from and where to drink it.
The roasters writing the coffee scene in Kyoto. who they are, where they source from, and where to drink the result.
Iolite in Nakagyo in Kyoto is Daisuke Yoshida's roaster inside his grandfather's old wagashiya, cedar beams, single-origins, light-roast V60 and espresso.
Tip: Tiny back nook seats four; mornings are calmest. Cuppings by appointment.
Sources from: Single-origin Africa, Central America and Asia
How they serve: Hand-pour V60, espresso
The 1952 Kyoto roaster's flagship beside Nishiki Market. Wholesale supplier to half the city's kissaten, in-house cafe, espresso plus filter brew bar.
Sources from: Brazil, Ethiopia, Yirgacheffe, Colombia
How they serve: Filter, Espresso, Wholesale, Whole bean retail
% Arabica's roastery cafe in Higashiyama, Kyoto, on the Yasaka Pagoda slope. Their global beans roasted on-site for the city's 23 sister bars.
Sources from: Hawaii Kona, El Salvador, Ethiopia
How they serve: Espresso, Whole bean retail, Wholesale
Unir's downtown Kyoto cafe-roaster, the husband-and-wife founders chasing Panama Geisha lots. Long-fermented coffees, kettle brew, slow service.
Sources from: Panama Geisha, Costa Rica, Ethiopia
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail, Subscription
A wholesale-led roaster in Murasakino, Kyoto, near Daitoku-ji. Espresso and filter retail, plus the supply chain behind many smaller Kyoto cafes.
Sources from: Tanzania, Ethiopia, Indonesia
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
A tiny stand-only roaster near Yasaka Pagoda in Higashiyama, Kyoto. Aeropress and cold brew on the menu, with a sister micro-roastery in Shirafushi.
Sources from: Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia
How they serve: Espresso, Cold brew, Whole bean retail
A Showa-styled hand-drip roaster in north Kyoto, married-couple run with house-roasted beans. Picnic baskets to take to nearby Kamogawa banks.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala
How they serve: Hand-drip, Whole bean retail
The pond-side sister to Vermillion's espresso bar at Fushimi Inari in Kyoto. Australian-style flat whites, in-house roast and the rare Kyoto bagel set.
Sources from: Brazil, Costa Rica, Indonesia
How they serve: Espresso, Whole bean retail