This delightful cafe first opened in 1970 and has since become another of Kyoto’s much loved “legendary places”. I guarantee you will be pleased as punch to find this cafe. Though the menu is not especially pricey, the interior is absolutely gorgeous. No expense has been spared on the state of the art audio equipment, the elegant furniture or its upkeep. And you may find yourself wanting to bow down and worship before the fantastic jazz collection in the far corner of the establishment.
The key thing about Yamatoya is the loving attention to detail, which extends even to using the freshest spring water (drawn that day from the source) for their coffee. And their coffee tastes good. Come in, relax, soak up the elegant atmosphere, listen to some classic tunes and spoil yourself – all for the price of a cup of coffee. You may never go back to Starbucks again. Here are some pictures:
To find Yamatoya, go east on Marutamachi Dori, and not long after you have passed Higashioji Dori you should see a sign on the road reading “Yamatoya Jazz Spot” and pointing you down a wee alleyway on your right. Here is a map.
Tel: 075-761-7685
Open: 12:00-22:00 (Last orders 21:30)
Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays, January 1st (open on public holidays)
This article checked and updated in June, 2025.
Text and images by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
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