and of course whilst in kyoto, one more visit.

my mecca in many ways,

keibunsha.

kyoto cafes

biotei photo via vegjapan

most excitingly, i might be heading to japan for a little visit in march next year, if all goes to plan...

and of course i begin my looking forward to it now, starting with remembrance of delicious/wonderful cafes in kyoto.

i have already mentioned cafe みゅー and also efish cafe.

here are some more that are simply great. either all vegetarian, or vegetarian options with a strong organic leaning...
deep kyoto and vegjapan were the source for many of these images.
i have also added a link section on the left there to japanese vegetarian that i come across.

biotei

i think the pioneer of vegetarian cafes in kyoto. amazing homestyle meals.

the photos of biotei come from vegjapan blog.
the vegjapan blog also has some great links to vegetarianism in japan.
anyone planning a trip, please do check it out.

english review and access description via vegjapan

infinity cafe

a special place. a 100-year-old machiya surrounded by wild organic garden.

they also do live music and german rye bread.

the photos of infinity cafe come from the deep kyoto site.
deep kyoto also has some excellent other articles and great links to
veganism in japan, once again, if planning a trip, please do check it out.

site (access map in japanese is under the fourth tab on the right at top)

obanzai

the best vegetarian buffet in kyoto i experienced.

incredible value and delicious kyoto-style vegetables.

that photo is my lunch last time i was there.

english review and access via deep kyoto

ambient cafe MOLE

indoor plant heaven. and nice food. the photos come from this blog.

site

access map

bazaar cafe

this has unusual architecture for kyoto, located in an old missionary house

near gosho (imperial gardens).

read more about their social aims for supporting a diverse community here.

site (including access map in japanese)

mikoan

anther great kyoto vegetarian tradition.

cats in residence make this place.

the curry is amazing. photos via deep kyoto and flickr.

site

access map (in japanese)

english directions via deep japan

biotei via vegjapan

biotei via vegjapan

biotei via vegjapan

biotei via vegjapan

infinity cafe via deep kyoto

infinity cafe via deep kyoto

infinity cafe via deep kyoto

infinity cafe via deep kyoto

obanzai

ambient cafe MOLE

ambient cafe MOLE

ambient cafe MOLE

ambient cafe MOLE

bazaar cafe

bazaar cafe

bazaar cafe

bazaar cafe

mikoan

mikoan via kagoldberg flickr

mikoan via this flickr

mikoan

keibunsha shop

my select from the wares of keibunsha. another reason to go back to kyoto soon.

i am not sure how anyone could go past an onigiri purse

the above is a book cover.

this is a tanpopo (dandelion) hairpin.

an owl cushion

for some reason this is sideways, but it is a single stem vase

above is a zabuton (floor cushion)

喫茶

siphon coffee seems like it is becoming the next big thing in the coffee world. which is great. the alchemy and the romance of the old-fashioned siphon coffee is almost enough to make a dedicated tea drinker like me consider a switch to the bean. almost, but not quite. 

siphon coffee has been a feature of coffee shops in japan forever. the 喫茶店 (kissaten) of japan are so wonderful. they all share certain features: older, coffee connoisseur regular customers, a darkened 70s-style interior, sometimes wooden carved chairs with leather seats, sometimes chairs of curved tubular steel. there is always the gleaming siphons, glossy pot plants and  understated sugar bowls, cups and saucers. there might be a neat stack of papers, or a tumbling shelf of manga and records. and japan being the smokers' haven - the cut glass ashtrays for the seven stars butts. 

kissa are often hidden away up a narrow staircase, or behind streetfront lace curtains or faux stained glass, and i am unspeakably happy to find this treasure trove of photos of the kissa of kyoto in flickr by a.iwatani. just so very very great.

melbourne syphon coffee.