I came here to eat ramen, near the Saga Arashiyama Line to the west. Then, I went to a cafe. The Kinse Ryokan opens around 3 pm. So, I came here. I wonder when the word "shiori" became popular. Southern's "Shiori no Theme" was in 1981. It's a shop from the Showa era. I ordered an iced coffee with premade sugar and fresh milk. This is also from the Showa era. It's been a while since I had fresh milk in my coffee. The regular customers were having their meals. All the customers seemed to be regulars. Although the buildings in the Shimabara red-light district are still there, it has a more open feeling. Most have been replaced by normal houses. It's easy for tourists to visit, and it feels like a bright red-light district. It won't perish.

I wandered around the east side of Tanbaguchi Station, which is one stop away from Kyoto Station. This area used to be a geisha district with old buildings, including important cultural properties, lining the streets. I passed through Shimabara Omon gate and found a cafe called Shiho-san. It was around 5:30 pm, and the owner was relaxing inside. When I asked if I could have a coffee, he kindly welcomed me in. I heard the sound of beans being ground, and soon after, my coffee arrived. It cost 350 yen and had a refreshing taste. Looking at the menu, they offered a variety of light meals, noodles, rice bowls, and even breakfast sets for 500 yen, including toast, salad, and eggs. I would like to visit this place again next time I'm in the area. It's starting to cool down with the air conditioning, so I think it's time to head out.

Located diagonally across from the Shimabara Omon, this place seems to be a tourist spot, yet the foot traffic is sparse. Once you settle in, you can leisurely enjoy your time here as long as you like. The laid-back atmosphere is quite pleasant. A hot coffee costs 350 yen and is served in a familiar-looking cup that I've seen somewhere before. The peanuts with shells served alongside add a nice touch. On the TV (probably a satellite broadcast), they were showing the old TV show "Charlie's Angels," featuring Farrah Fawcett-Majors from Season 1! (Sorry for the personal preference.) The Givenchy coffee cup that was often used as a tacky wedding favor in the past. A nostalgic TV show that I was obsessed with in junior high. Shelled peanuts, which you don't see much of these days. Ah, nostalgia. I really liked this place. I'll definitely come back.

I stopped by a café in front of Shimabara Omon, for lunch. The owner, a man, was running the place alone. It seems that his mother recently passed away (there is a picture of her on the counter). Perhaps his daughter is helping out. A person who seemed to be from the market was enjoying some alcohol in the afternoon. It's a cozy little shop. There are many bottles of shochu kept on the shelf behind the counter. It seems like it turns into a snack bar at night. The shop has 5 tables for 4 people each and 8 counter seats. When you sit down, you are served water and a wet towel. The menu includes soba, udon, rice bowls, set meals, morning menu (9:00-11:00), and chilled Chinese noodles. The price range is around 400-750 yen. Drinks like coffee, tea, and soft drinks are priced at around 350-550 yen. On the day I visited, there was a 50 yen discount on noodle dishes. They seem to have regular discount services. Ordering coffee with a light meal gets you a 100 yen discount. I ordered the pilaf, which turned out to be a fried rice style pilaf. It was delicious and came with pickles and green tea. After the meal, a new wet towel was provided. I ordered an iced coffee, which came with peanuts. Regular customers were making custom orders like small rice portions or adding a fried egg on top of the fried rice. It's more of a diner than a café for lunch. I will definitely visit again. Additional note: I tried the summer limited chilled Chinese noodles. It comes with 2 servings of noodles as standard. If you're not confident you can finish it, make sure to order a small portion.

I had been curious about this shop in front of Shimabara Omon for a while. The small, traditional atmosphere is very calming. It was lively with the presence of a monk on his way to pray and local families visiting, especially because it was during the Bon festival. I ordered coffee for 350 yen and toast for 230 yen. The coffee was a bit strong and had a nice aroma. It helped me forget about the heat. They also served a generous amount of peanuts with the shells, which is rare in Kyoto. The toast was thick and generously spread with margarine for 230 yen. It was much appreciated. On my way out, the master even said, "Thank you for coming, sorry to have troubled you." It was a nice gesture.