With its main store in Higashiyama, Kyoto, % ARABICA is a popular coffee brand with 213 stores around the world.
It has a reputation for offering highly aromatic specialty coffee using the world's best espresso machines. In Japan, there are only seven locations: three in Kyoto, two in Tokyo, and one in Niseko, Hokkaido, making it a popular spot that many people visit when sightseeing in Kyoto.
This time, I, a resident of Kyoto, would like to share my impressions from my actual visit to % ARABICA, Kyoto - Higashiyama Main Store!
What is % ARABICA?
% ARABICA is a coffee brand founded by Kenneth Shoji, who is half Japanese and half Canadian.
The first store opened in Hong Kong in 2012, and the main store moved to Higashiyama, Kyoto in 2014.
As of January 2025, it has become a major brand with 213 franchise stores worldwide, including Asia, the Middle East, China, the United States, and Europe.
In Japan, there are a total of seven stores: three in Kyoto, two in Tokyo, and one in Niseko, Hokkaido.
In Kyoto, in addition to the Higashiyama main store introduced here, there is also the % ARABICA Shokudo located right in front of it, where you can enjoy a traditional Japanese breakfast, the Arashiyama Store, and the Fujii Daimaru Store in a department store in town.
% ARABICA Higashiyama is located near Yasaka Tower, one of the symbols of Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, in one of the most elegant places in Kyoto.
The reason why % ARABICA moved its main store to Higashiyama, Kyoto is because Mr. Kenneth Shoji, the Japanese owner of a coffee plantation in Kona, Hawaii, wanted to “create a world-class coffee brand from Japan”.
The striking “%” symbol in the % ARABICA logo comes from a tree that looks like a coffee cherry growing on it.
The symbol, which is familiar around the world, caught the eye of many people, who asked on social media, "what country's brand is this?" and so the brand has since become an international sensation.
% ARABICA Menu
Basically, % ARABICA's menu consists only of drinks.
At the main store in Higashiyama, Kyoto, baguette sandwiches are available only during breakfast hours.
In addition to espresso-based and drip-based coffees, matcha latte and other drinks are also available.
You can choose from original blend, single origin, and decaf coffee beans.
The most popular drink at % ARABICA is the Cafe Latte brewed with the world's best espresso machine by Slayer Espresso.
It has a well-balanced taste between rich and refreshing.
For hot lattes, you can also enjoy the beautiful latte art.
% ARABICA has locations outside of Kyoto as well. The New York store is located in the DUMBO area overlooking Manhattan, and the Beijing No. 5 store is located in Beijing, China, near the Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
The Dubai store is located in the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping center, and the Paris store is in the Passage des Panoramas in the 2nd arrondissement, a famous tourist attraction and a beautiful location.
In Tokyo, there is a store in Azabudai Hills, so if you are interested, please visit the Tokyo store as well.
＞ Click here for a list of %ARABICA Coffee stores.
How does % ARABICA's coffee taste?
The most distinctive feature of % ARABICA is that it uses the world's most sought after machine, the Slayer Espresso.
Unlike ordinary machines, the barista can control the temperature, amount of water, and timing of the brewing process, so you get what the barista considers “the best espresso”.
Drip coffee is also brewed using a machine, with a little hot water poured in first to steam the coffee, and then each cup is carefully brewed by the barista.
Coffee lovers are sure to enjoy the aromatic coffee at this coffee shop.
The same % ARABICA can be found in different stores around the world, each of which has been designed to suit the “flavor preferences of the local people” and to respect the baristas who work in each region.
One of the reasons why % ARABICA is loved is that it is a taste that can only be experienced at that particular store.
A Visit to the % ARABICA Higashiyama Main Store in Kyoto
This time, I visited the Higashiyama main store of the popular coffee brand % ARABICA in Kyoto.
The location is along Yasaka-dori Street, which leads to “Yasaka-no-to” (Yasaka Tower) near Ninenzaka, which leads to Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
It is also close to Yasaka Shrine and Gion, so it is recommended to visit during sightseeing.
The nearest station is Keihan Gion-Shijo station, about 12 minutes on foot. By bus, it is about a 2-minute walk from the Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, which is close to Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
It is only a 10-minute cab ride from Kyoto Station.
As the main store of the popular % ARABICA all over the world, some may imagine a huge store, but the store is small in size.
It is a small coffee stand, which also gives the impression of being stylish.
The main store in Higashiyama, Kyoto is mainly for take-out, but there are 5 to 6 seats for eat-in.
The menu consists only of drinks. I ordered a standard cafe latte (550 yen/8 oz.).
When the latte actually comes out, you are first mesmerized by the beauty of the latte art.
The bitter taste of the original blend of coffee spread firmly in my mouth, and the mild flavor of the milk blended with it, making it delicious.
When I visited this time, Kyoto Latte and Matcha Latte, which were not on the menu before, were newly introduced.
The Kyoto Latte is a popular item on the menu these days. It is a richly aromatic and deeply flavored espresso coffee topped with a generous amount of smooth, steamed milk.
The secret ingredient is a little bit of condensed milk, which is sweet, but the bitterness of the espresso flavor enhances the overall taste.
When I visited the store, most of the customers were foreign tourists, and many of them ordered the Matcha Latte.
I think the unique taste of Kyoto is what makes it so popular.
Original goods are also nice!
In the back of the Kyoto Higashiyama Main Store of % ARABICA, original goods were lined up.
There were coffee cups, coffee makers, sneakers, and other items that would make great souvenirs for sightseeing in Kyoto.
All of them had the % logo and were simple, well-designed, original, and made me want to buy them.
Original goods can also be purchased from the official online store, so if you are interested, please take a look at the online store.
＞ % ARABICA Official Online Shop
The original bag of % ARABICA is handmade in Japan.
It will be useful as a sub-bag while traveling!
In addition to the above goods, coffee beans are also sold at the store, so it is recommended to buy them as souvenirs for sightseeing in Kyoto.
Taste delicious coffee while enjoying the uniquely Japanese scenery!
As you can see, % ARABICA from Kyoto, which is loved all over the world, is a rare coffee shop where you can taste different coffee at each store.
Please enjoy the aromatic coffee while admiring the scenery of Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, with the Yasaka-no-to (Yasaka Tower) in the background!
% ARABICA Kyoto Higashiyama
Address: 87-5 Hoshino-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone:075-746-3669
Business hours: 9:00-18:00
Open every day
https://arabica.coffee/location/arabica-kyoto-higashiyama/
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