Gion is one of Kyoto’s most famous districts, known for its traditional streets, historic teahouses, and refined atmosphere. While it’s best known for geisha culture, it’s also packed with fantastic cafés and sweet shops that offer everything from matcha parfaits to elegant afternoon teas. Here’s a guide to some of the best spots to check out while wandering through Gion.
Check out the links listed for each cafe for more detailed information on last order times, accepted payment methods, and any other particulars that may be important when deciding where to stop at.
And while you’re in Kyoto, check out our tours and photography sessions for an extra special addition to your trip!
⭐Gion Kitagawa Hanbee
A stylish and intimate café housed in a renovated traditional townhouse, run by the historic tea merchant Kitagawa Hanbee Shoten. The menu features a carefully curated selection of teas, including matcha, sencha, and gyokuro, as well as Japanese oolong and osmanthus-blended black tea.
One of the best experiences here is the tea tasting set, which includes five different teas paired with small snacks. They also offer a five-piece matcha sweet set with your choice of tea or coffee (2,900 yen). In the evenings, the café transforms into a tea-infused cocktail bar, making it a perfect spot for a quiet nightcap.
Cafe Hours: 11 AM – 6 PM (Weekends: 8 PM)
Official Website | Tripadvisor
⭐Jouvencelle
Jouvencelle Gion is a cozy sweets café just a short walk from Yasaka Shrine. Their most famous item is the Gion Fondue, a rich matcha chocolate fondue served with seasonal fruit, mochi, and cake for dipping. The sandwich was a bit of a miss, trying to be both sweet and savory, but the fondue was a fun and delicious experience. After dipping everything, you can finish by mixing the remaining matcha chocolate with hot milk.
Cafe Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM
Official Website | Tripadvisor
Cafe Kawataro
A simple yet elegant café with a beautiful view of a Japanese garden. It has a refined, quiet atmosphere that perfectly fits the Gion aesthetic. While the drinks and food are on the pricier side, the ambiance makes up for it.
Cafe Hours: 11 AM – 6 PM
Salon de Muge
A sophisticated café run by a 3 Michelin-star restaurant, overlooking a beautiful garden. Their menu features elegant parfaits and bento boxes. It’s on the expensive side, but the refined setting makes it worth it. Children under 6 are not allowed.
Cafe Hours: 11:30 AM – 6 PM
Official Website | Tripadvisor
Dessert Cafe Chourakukan
Housed inside a Western-style building from 1909, originally a guest house for foreign visitors, this café has a luxurious, classic atmosphere. The stained glass windows and elegant decor make for a refined experience. The most famous offering is the afternoon tea set, which includes scones, sandwiches, and cakes paired with exclusive tea blends. Reservations are required for the afternoon tea (around 6,000 yen per person), but the regular café menu is available from 11 AM. Their signature three-flavor millefeuille and pear tart are excellent choices.
Cafe Hours: 11 AM – 6:30 PM
Official Website | Tripadvisor
Ikkyu-An
Located inside Maruyama Park, this small café is a great place to relax. They specialize in mochi-based sweets, and their seven-types of dango platter is a great way to sample a variety. Note that it’s randomly closed at times.
Cafe Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM
Official Website | Tripadvisor
Kin no Yuritei
A cozy second-floor café right across from Yasaka Shrine’s west gate. They’re famous for their seasonal matcha parfaits, which are both beautiful and delicious. The café has a relaxed atmosphere with classical music, making it a perfect escape from the busy streets. They also serve hand-dripped coffee using Kyoto’s renowned Ogawa Coffee beans.
Cafe Hours: 12 PM – 6 PM
Gion Koishi
A traditional Japanese sweet shop that’s been around for over 70 years, best known for its kakigori (shaved ice). Flavors include matcha and Okinawan brown sugar syrup, and the ice is finely shaved for a delicate texture. I stop by every summer for a cool treat. They also serve parfaits and warabimochi.
Cafe Hours: 10:30 AM – 5 PM
Official Website | Tripadvisor
Gion Tokuya
Famous for its Hon Warabi Mochi, a melt-in-your-mouth mochi made from bracken starch and served with kinako (roasted soybean flour) and kuromitsu (black sugar syrup). The shop has a traditional ambiance and is often crowded due to its high-quality ingredients and reputation.
Cafe Hours: 12 PM – 6 PM
Official Website | Tripadvisor
Saryo Tsujiri Tea House (Gion Main Store)
One of Kyoto’s most famous matcha cafés, Gion Tsujiri has been producing Uji tea since 1860. Their menu includes a wide variety of matcha sweets and drinks, with their special matcha parfait being the highlight. While the quality is excellent, I only recommend going if the line isn’t too long, as there are plenty of other matcha spots nearby.
Cafe Hours: 10 AM – 9 PM
Official Website | Tripadvisor
Itoh Kyuemon
Another highly respected Uji tea shop, known for its beautifully presented matcha sweets. Beyond desserts, they also serve a matcha-themed meal, featuring dishes like matcha curry udon and matcha soba, finishing with a matcha parfait. It’s a great place for matcha lovers looking for a full meal experience.
Cafe Hours: 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Official Website | Tripadvisor
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a refined afternoon tea, a classic matcha parfait, or a traditional Japanese sweet, Gion offers a wide array of incredible café experiences. From modern, high-end establishments to long-standing traditional sweet shops, each venue provides a unique taste of Kyoto’s rich food culture. Take your time, explore the beautiful streets of Gion, and enjoy a perfectly brewed cup of tea or coffee.
For more guides and tips on all things Japan subscribe to the PiQtour Youtube channel!