Can I order in advance via the app at % ARABICA Kyoto Arashiyama?

App orders are usually available, but they are not accepted during busy hours. If your payment doesn't go through, we recommend lining up at the store immediately.

How much are the Kyoto Latte and Caffe Latte at % ARABICA Kyoto Arashiyama?

The Iced Kyoto Latte is 700 JPY, and the Iced Caffe Latte is 650 JPY. The Kyoto Latte has a sweet condensed milk flavor, while the Caffe Latte features a rich and nutty espresso aroma.

How do I find the entrance to Matsugae, the tofu set meal restaurant?

Matsugae operates alongside a soba restaurant, so there may be a long line for the soba. Instead of waiting in the soba line, walk straight through the inner door to find the separate entrance dedicated to the tofu restaurant.

What are the prices and components of the tofu set meals sold at Matsugae?

The Hannari Set is 2,180 JPY, and you can change the basic yuba to a tempura rice bowl. The Matsugae Set, which serves warm tofu in a hot pot, is 2,800 JPY.

What is the admission fee and operating hours for Arashiyama Yusai-tei?

The admission fee for Yusai-tei is 2,000 JPY. It is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and is closed every Thursday.

Kyoto Arashiyama Day Trip 2026: % Arabica Coffee & More

Osaka & Kyoto, Japan Travel

Recommended Arashiyama Itinerary

(% Arabica Coffee, Matsugae, Yusaitei)

Photos & Words © Yappi

Hello, fellow travelers!

During our 4-day trip to Osaka and Kyoto

with my husband,

I wanted to share our most memorable day trip

to Arashiyama! 💚

We arrived around 10:00 AM on a Friday

and packed our day with amazing spots. Here is our honest, fully self-funded review,

starting right now!

1. % Arabica Kyoto Arashiyama

✅ Open Daily: 09:00–18:00

✅ Arabica Coffee App Orders: ⭕ (Disabled when busy ❌)

The moment you step off at Arashiyama Station,

and follow the crowd

as if in a trance,

the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge suddenly appears before your eyes.

And then you'll spot everyone

sitting on the stones along the riverbank,

holding their famous "% Coffee" cups. It's quite a sight! 😂

⭐ Here's a Pro-Tip! ⭐

Put sightseeing on hold for just a second

and head straight to the line! No questions asked.

Maybe because it was a weekday,

the queue wasn't as bad as we feared,

so we only waited about 30 minutes.

While waiting in line, I tried to order through the "Arabica Coffee" app,

struggling to get it to work,

only to find out they don't accept app orders during busy hours!

Don't panic if your payment doesn't go through—

just give up on the app and stay in the physical queue.

Even though my husband isn't much of a coffee drinker,

we couldn't let our wait time go to waste, so we ordered one coffee each!

Even after ordering inside the shop,

we waited another 10+ minutes to actually get our drinks.

That single prime terrace seat inside

was being occupied by global influencers

who looked so relaxed and stylish. (So jealous... haha!)

✅ Kyoto Latte (Ice): 700 yen

✅ Cafe Latte (Ice): 650 yen

Here is our honest taste test! ☕

The Kyoto Latte tastes like a sweet condensed milk latte,

while the Cafe Latte has a rich espresso aroma

that is wonderfully deep and nutty.

But! Since there are so many incredible coffee spots back home,

having to wait a whole hour just to... having to wait a whole hour just to

Honestly, it didn't really taste like anything special.

Maybe I should have gone with the matcha latte instead!

If the queue is too long, I highly recommend

visiting the Kyoto Station branch or another location for a more relaxed experience.

To be fair, this place is more about the stunning river views than the coffee!

Watching the traditional boats float leisurely down the river,

while feeling a sense of peace that completely contrasts with the bustling cafe,

was such a unique and therapeutic experience.

2. Matsugae: Arashiyama's Specialty Tofu Course

Matsugae

✅ Open daily 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

✅ Google Maps Reservations Available ⭕

After relaxing by the riverbank for a while,

we headed over to our 11:00 AM reservation

at Matsugae, a restaurant specializing in traditional tofu courses.

You can easily book a table in advance via Google Maps,

and if you request a window seat,

you can dine with a beautiful view of their lush garden!

If you want to fully immerse yourself in those serene Japanese vibes,

booking a window seat is a must! ✨

This place is operated alongside a popular soba restaurant,

and there was a massive queue stretching outside the soba entrance.

Don't worry! Just walk straight through the inner gate,

and you'll find a separate entrance for the tofu course restaurant.

Seeing so many locals dining here

made us feel like we’d found a truly authentic gem!

shunchuu-no-zen Hannari Set

2,180 yen / Upgraded Yuba to Tempura Rice Bowl!

The menu I ordered was the

[shunchuu-no-zen Hannari Set: 2,180 yen]

(Swapped the yuba for a tempura rice bowl!)

Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a hearty rice bowl, right? 🍚

Three side dishes are served beautifully and neatly,

and while you're enjoying them one by one, the main course arrives in no time.

The cold tofu salad comes with a sesame-like dressing

that tastes wonderfully sweet and nutty.

It's amazing how the tofu is incredibly soft yet

perfectly holds its neat, cubic shape.

In particular, the green matcha tofu is something

you don't see every day, making it a very unique and fun culinary experience.

shunchuu-no-zen Matsugae

2,800 yen / Selected warm tofu!

The dish my husband ordered was...

[Shunchuu-no-zen Matsugae: ~$17]

(Opt for the warm tofu version!)

The warm tofu is served in a hot pot,

which definitely makes the nutty aroma richer and the texture incredibly soft.

As for the yuba (tofu skin), my husband said it just tasted

like a very mild, unseasoned fried tofu. 😂

To be honest, as a couple from Gyeongsang Province used to bold, fiery flavors,

it didn't give us a massive "wow" factor,

but we were so satisfied to experience the true,

clean, and nutty flavor of authentic tofu!

And here's a quick shot of the lovely lighting in the soba shop!

3. The Room with the Round Window,

Arashiyama Yusai-tei

✅ Daily 10:00–17:00 (Closed on Thursdays)

✅ Admission Fee: ~$12

With full and happy stomachs, we walked about 10 minutes

to "Yusai-tei" to help digest our meal.

If you keep % Arabica Coffee on your right and walk straight along the river,

you'll eventually hit what looks like a mountain path.

The GPS signal got a little spotty around here.

My husband panicked for a second, but as you keep going,

the signs are very clear, so we found it with no trouble at all!

At first, I thought the admission fee was a bit steep,

but by the time we left, it felt worth every single penny!🥰

This place is a former ryokan (traditional inn) that has been transformed

into a studio and gallery by a natural dyeing artist.

As soon as you enter, the lush green scenery of Arashiyama

framing the windows and the delicate, dyed fabrics

swaying in the breeze instantly put your mind at ease.

The absolute highlight here is

the reflection of the garden on the polished tables!

Words can't describe the magical sight of the light reflecting

so perfectly that the boundary between top and bottom completely vanishes.

When you step into the famous "Round Room,"

you can't help but gasp. It's absolutely breathtaking.

It really makes you realize what it means for

nature and architecture to become one.

While the fresh greens of spring and summer are gorgeous,

I can only imagine how stunning it must be when the autumn leaves turn fiery red... 🍁

If you head up the stairs,

you'll find the actual workshop and gallery space.

Some of the dyed fabrics on display are for sale,

but since they're works of art, the prices were pretty eye-watering! 👀

Escaping the bustling main streets of Arashiyama,

quietly soaking in the beauty of nature

was such a peaceful, healing experience.

If you're visiting Arashiyama, you absolutely have to stop by here!

I'll be back next with my adventures at

Tenryu-ji Temple and the Bamboo Forest! 💙

May Osaka & Kyoto Trip #1 | Must-Reserve Restaurants, Dumpling Spot (551 HORAI), Local Favorite Izakaya (Onikai)

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