Kyoto's Smart Coffee, SOU SOU, & Onigimaru: May 2026
Wrap up your Kyoto adventure with a visit to the historic Smart Coffee, a stroll through SOU SOU village for unique finds, and a delicious onigiri takeout from Onigimaru.
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Wrap up your Kyoto adventure with a visit to the historic Smart Coffee, a stroll through SOU SOU village for unique finds, and a delicious onigiri takeout from Onigimaru.
Japan: Osaka & Kyoto Adventure
Kyoto Smart Coffee, SOU・SOU Mini Crossbody Bag,
and an Onigiri Takeaway Spot!
Photos & Text © Yappy
Hello, fellow explorers! It's Yappy here! 💖
I'm back with Part 7 of my Osaka & Kyoto travel series!
Today's the day we check out of charming Kyoto,
our home away from home!
After a refreshing morning feast of sushi and Kyoto beer we'd picked up from the supermarket the day before,
we leisurely checked out 🍣🍺
Hey everyone, if you're ever in Kyoto, you absolutely *must* try the bottled 'Kyoto Beer'!
You can find it in supermarkets, and when chilled,
it offers a truly unique beer experience!
The cap opens easily, and it's just the right size, making it perfect for enjoying a bottle by the Kamo River or having one each back at your accommodation!
Personally, as someone who usually prefers draft beer,
the blue Kyoto Beer was more my jam, while the purple one is an ale –
but honestly, both were absolutely delightful 💙💜
After checking out, we took a leisurely stroll
towards Teramachi Street 🌿
Savoring the last sights and sounds of Kyoto,
we arrived at none other than Smart Coffee, famed as one of Kyoto's top three coffee destinations! ☕️
1. Kyoto's Top 3 Coffee Shops
Smart Coffee, open since 1932
✅Hours: Daily 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
📍 Smart Coffee
537 Tenshōjimaechō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8081 Japan
We arrived around 10 AM, and already,
the waiting line was quite long!
After about a 30-minute wait, we finally got in!
Smart Coffee is a true classic, having opened its doors all the way back in 1932!
You can really feel the retro charm from Japan's bubble era preserved perfectly within its walls 🥰
The ultimate in fluffy delight!
French Toast & Refreshing Iced Coffee
Since we'd already had breakfast,
we kept our order a bit modest 😋
✅French Toast: ~$5
✅Iced Coffee: ~$4
✅Iced Latte: ~$4
We generously drizzled the accompanying syrup over the toast,
and it wasn't overly sweet – just perfectly balanced!
The egg mixture had soaked all the way through, making every bite incredibly fluffy, soft, and utterly sweet... a dream!
It's so fluffy yet holds its shape perfectly,
and slices cleanly too 🍞
The combination with a refreshing iced coffee & a light
iced latte made for a
perfect brunch ☕️
If I hadn't been so full, I would've devoured everything: pancakes (~$5),
egg sandwich (~$5), and pudding (~$4)!
Such a shame 😭
2. Kyoto's Must-Visit Shopping Spot
Exploring SOU・SOU Village
📍 SOU・SOU Tabi
578-1 Nakanochō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8042 Japan
After filling our stomachs, we strolled over to
SOU・SOU Village!
Cute SOU・SOU items that you can only
find in Kyoto!
From clothing to rugs, handkerchiefs, cross bags, and more —
there are so many eye-catching goodies! 🤍
I just intended to browse, but at the bag shop,
I ended up splurging on a mini white crossbody bag! 😆
The white bag (2,880 yen)
plus a separately purchased fabric strap (880 yen)
came to a total of 3,760 yen!
My heart ached a little that the strap was separate,
but it perfectly fits my card wallet, car keys, and lipstick,
so it's become my perfect daily bag for quick errands
around the house these days! 🤍
3. Perfect when you're peckish!
Onigiri Hotspot, 'Onimaru'
📍 Onimaru Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi
7 Otabimiyamotochō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8003 Japan
On my way back to the accommodation to pick up my luggage, I stopped at
Onimaru, an amazing onigiri spot! 🍙
I bought and tried the Eel Onigiri (690 yen) and the
Tuna Mayo Onigiri (210 yen),
and they were genuinely packed with filling and absolutely delicious... 🤤
For those who want a quick meal on the go,
I highly recommend 'Onimaru' instead of a convenience store!
Please look forward to the next installment of my Osaka travelogue, Part 8! 💕
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Smart Coffee operates daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. When the article's author visited around 10:00 AM, they waited for approximately 30 minutes before being seated.
Smart Coffee's French toast is 800 yen, and both iced coffee and iced latte are 650 yen each. Other menu items include hotcakes (800 yen), egg sandwich (850 yen), and pudding (700 yen).
The white mini crossbody bag purchased at SOU・SOU Village was 2,880 yen, and with the separate purchase of a fabric strap for 880 yen, the total was 3,760 yen. It's the perfect size for a card wallet, car key, and lipstick.
Onimaru's eel onigiri is 690 yen, and the tuna mayo onigiri is 210 yen. They are generously filled and recommended as a simple meal on the go.
Among the bottled Kyoto Beers sold at supermarkets, the blue one was introduced for draft beer lovers, and the purple one as an ale. It was mentioned that the caps are easy to open and the size is appropriate, making them good for drinking by the Kamo River or at your accommodation.
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