I visited Sekushion Doll after having a meal. From Sanjo Jingu-dori, head north towards Heian Jingu. Turn east at the corner where Kokurayamaso is located, and you will find it on the south side. It's a really ordinary old folk house with a modest sign out front. They happened to be having a calligraphy exhibition, and the menu was related to that. The menu was written in calligraphy, listing the types of tea and their effects. I was a bit indecisive, but I ended up ordering the one that looked the most beautiful. I asked for chrysanthemum tea. First, they served me hot water in a cute glass, and then they gave me a small taste of lotus flower tea as a service. After resetting my palate with the lotus tea, I enjoyed the chrysanthemum tea. It had flower buds in it, and the aroma was unexpectedly strong. A kind young woman served me with a smile. The seating options included shared tables, a counter, and private rooms that resembled Korean-style tatami rooms near the restroom. It was similar to Sumiko Kocha in terms of the tatami room. I refrained from taking photos to respect the atmosphere, but it's a place where you can enjoy not only the taste but also the aesthetics. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal♪

Kyoto Okazaki. Tucked away in a quiet residential alley, there is a shop that stands quietly. It seems to be renovated from a house built in the Taisho era, and the calm atmosphere is very nice. The name of the shop, "Kounichiya," is said to be a wish for "may today be a good day that cannot be replaced." There are various types of tea, so when I was hesitating, the female shop owner recommended a tea that suited my taste. I had a Taiwanese tea called "Tokyo Bijin," and the tea with a refreshing aroma and a slight honey-like sweetness was very delicious. The cozy space that reflects the personality of the shop owner may not be easily found in Kyoto, which has many wonderful shops.

Good evening. It's officially winter now, but there are a few articles I want to write that I took notes on back in late autumn, so I better get to it soon (laughs). This time, I visited Kojitsu, a place I've been wanting to go to for the past six months. It's a quiet house near Heian Shrine, with a welcoming entrance that makes you feel like you're returning to your grandmother's house. You slide open the door, take off your shoes at the entrance, and quietly make your way to the living room. I had the tea and sweets set (500 yen) on this day. My friend ordered matcha, which the owner carefully prepared one by one. The atmosphere of the whole place feels like time is moving slowly, and it was very comfortable. It's the perfect place to enjoy tea. I'd love to go alone and have a chat, and maybe take some photos inside the shop. Thank you for the meal. I'll visit again.

After enjoying a lunch following the principles of Western dining at Section Doll, we went for tea. The name of the place has a nice, dignified ring to it, don't you think? As you head towards Nanzenji from the lively area of Okazaki, you'll find yourself in a quiet residential neighborhood. The owner, who is a first-class architect, renovated a Taisho-era house that had been vacant for over 30 years and transformed it into a tea room. Upon entering, you take off your shoes, and on the right is a Western-style room used as a gallery. On the left, you'll find the kitchen and counter seats, beyond which is a large table in a Japanese-style room, and a room with a Tochigi Prefecture Oya stone floor facing a small garden. Enigmatic music, reminiscent of Gamelan or sutra chanting, plays in the background, creating a unique sense of tranquility. The owner, a quiet woman, perfectly embodies the image of a tea room. I settled in the Oya stone room facing the garden. The room is warm thanks to the heated carpet laid out. Antique items like a nagamochi and candle holder, as well as glassware from the Silk Road, make for lovely interior decor. I ordered a set of matcha and sweets (800 yen), which included Shimotsuki pine nut mochi from Nishikamo and Usuhyo from Goro Maruya in Toyama. Usuhyo, as its name suggests, is a thin rice cracker coated with wasanbon sugar. The delicate sweets are carefully wrapped in washi paper. The matcha was prepared without any lumps, and with great care. My friend ordered a set of Kyoto hojicha and sweets (500 yen), which included only the pine nut mochi. This tranquil atmosphere and flow of air seem to wash away the dirt of the mundane world. I'll have to try the cold Gyokuro tea (a type of Oolong tea) in the summer!

There is a cafe near Okazaki Park that has been renovated from a house. It's a bit hidden, so you have to search for it. When you enter, it feels like coming home to grandma's house. I was lucky to sit near the garden. There was a single flower and a branch arrangement that was lovely. The spotlight enhanced its beauty. I had hojicha tea and a snack (probably made from yuba). When the hojicha was served, it had a faint tobacco smell, which was actually from the tea itself. It's called Kyoto hojicha or roasted hojicha, known for its tobacco-like aroma. Some people may not like it, but I found it interesting. The cafe was wonderful. If I have the chance to go again, I would like to try matcha instead of hojicha. There was also a bookstore specializing in antique art books near Good Niki.

This shop was introduced in Yoko Kawaguchi's book "Kyoto Cafe Walk" and I had been wanting to visit it for a while. Interestingly, the week before I came to find the shop, I couldn't locate it even though the map and address indicated it should be around here. I circled around the area searching for it, but couldn't find it, so I gave up and ended up going to a different shop. However, on this day, the door was open and the sign was quietly displayed, so I was able to finally find it. The location of the shop is on the third corner to the right when heading north on Jingu-dori from Sanjo Street. Cars cannot enter this street from Jingu-dori, so if you are driving, it's best to park at the underground parking lot of Okazaki Park or nearby coin parking and walk to the shop. If coming from Niomon Street, it's the first left turn. I arrived at the shop around 5:30 pm, and was asked, "We close at 6 pm, is that okay?" Since I had visited for two consecutive weeks, I said OK and entered. At that time, the shop owner apologized sincerely for the burn incident, but I felt more apologetic instead. You take off your shoes at the entrance and go up. To the right is a tatami mat area, to the left is a counter seat, and in the back is a quiet and calm space. There is also a small garden in the back. Bach was playing in the background. Near the entrance, there is an old organ, which I thought was an ornament, but it is still in active use for live performances. - Kyoto tea and small sweets The small sweets were like ginger-flavored rice crackers. Enjoy the smoky aroma of Kyoto tea. - Matcha and small sweets Here, there are four traditional Kyoto and Nara sweets, and the owner explained each one carefully, but I couldn't remember them all. The quantity and taste were very refined. It was a pity that I couldn't relax much as it was close to closing time, but the classic furnishings, soft lighting, and quiet and calm atmosphere were very lovely. I would like to visit next time with more time and immerse myself in a leisurely flow of time.

I found this restaurant while browsing through Tabelog. I wanted to enjoy the quiet atmosphere, so I decided to visit on a holiday. Unfortunately, the neighboring area was under construction, so I couldn't relax as I had hoped. I decided to come back when the construction was finished. A week later, it was raining, so I thought the construction would be over and I visited again. The interior of the restaurant was beautifully designed, and I was able to relax as I had imagined. The place didn't feel like a typical "restaurant", more like visiting a friend's art exhibition and having tea. The evaluation of value for money also includes the comfort of the space.

I visited "Kounichi" in Okazaki after seeing it in a certain book. It is located in a residential area among popular tourist spots like Heian Shrine, Nanzen-ji, and Shoren-in, making it a hidden gem. I went alone and was warmly welcomed. The shop has a room with white tones along the street, table seats, and seats where you can see the courtyard in the back. The moody atmosphere is cozy (^-^) Here, you can enjoy tea and sweets. The owner runs the shop alone, and since I had time, we had a nice chat. The owner's personality is also wonderful. It was a perfect space for when you want to relax alone. I would like to visit again.

I revisited this place after being recommended by someone. This is a shop mainly focused on Chinese tea. The signboard is so small that it's highly unlikely for passersby to come here. Moreover, it doesn't face the main street. I visited during the hot summer, and this shop doesn't have air conditioning. They only have fans and paper fans. Originally, houses in Kyoto have good ventilation and are cool in the summer, but it was still hot here. However, what's worth noting is that there is no cafe in Kyoto where time flows as quietly as it does here. There aren't many places where you can feel such a leisurely flow of time. Please come and visit at least once. It might be better to go in spring or autumn since there is no air conditioning.

A cozy tea shop where you can enjoy delicious Chinese tea in a relaxed atmosphere. The unique feature is the townhouse with a mix of Japanese and Western styles, creating an interesting setting. The space is run by a friendly female owner, adding to the warm atmosphere. If you're looking for a different kind of comfort and convenience, this place is recommended. The tea selection includes rare Chinese teas from old trees and unique jasmine teas, showing the owner's distinctive taste. They also pay attention to the tea ware, allowing you to fully enjoy the space, tea, and utensils. Chinese tea may be a bit more expensive than coffee, but you can have multiple servings, making it worth the cost. This is a place to savor the ambiance, perfect for quiet conversations rather than lively gatherings.

On the day off at Konichi-ya, there was an event featuring beautiful sweets, so I was hesitant to post this draft, but the sweets were so lovely that I decided to share it as a reference. At Gokashimaru, Mr. Sugiyama makes the sweets right in front of you, using seeds and mineral fruits attached to black letter branches that you can pick yourself. This is the second time I've tried Gokashimaru's sweets. The first time was at an event in Suita, Osaka, where they collaborated with Japanese sake. I became a fan after tasting their beautifully crafted and delicious traditional Japanese sweets. This time, they were paired with Chinese tea, featuring fruits, agar, and beet sugar, with a crispy surface and crystalline appearance from the black letter branches. These sweets are not normally available at Konichi-ya, so I would love to visit the shop during regular business hours as well.