For me ‘Toraya’ – House of the Dragon – is the quintessential contemporary Japanese café.
Famed for its traditional Japanese sweets (think exquisite pieces of edible artwork), Toraya is an oasis of calm in the city.
It is housed in a purpose-built wooden building, surrounded by a shallow path of water which reflects the bamboo shutters and blue cloudless sky.
It backs onto a flawless Japanese garden and red shrine gate, providing a perfect spot to indulge all your senses as you sip your tea.
The menu changes with the seasons, as do the gorgeous flower arrangements in the entrance.
There is also a small library of delicious books about cooking and Kyoto traditions. I discovered this place late on during my time in Kyoto but went back three times in a week.
It is a special place of subtle beauty, culinary perfection, and quiet chattering among gathered friends.
