Located on the B2 floor of the VAL Building in Kyoto, this cafe is situated within the Maruzen Kyoto Main Store, famous for being featured in Kajii Motojirō's novel "Lemon". One of their specialties is the Hayashi Rice, named after the founder Hayashi Arata. They offer two types of sauce: original pork and special beef. I ordered the Hayashi Beef Sauce set with omurice (omelette over rice), which came with salad and a drink. The omurice had white rice inside. The atmosphere is calm and I think it's a hidden gem.

\Literary Work Cream Soda✨\Now, you can enjoy it in Tokyo or Kyoto! Kyoto, Shijo [Maruzen Junkudo Bookstore] ☑︎ "Schoolgirl" by Osamu Dazai ¥1200☑︎ "The Sorrow of Honey" by Saisei Muro ¥1200*Comes with a special bonus (book cover and parfait spoon holder)~Literary Cream Soda Fair✨~A collaboration cream soda with "Traveling Cafe" that creates cream sodas using ingredients encountered during travels!▶︎ "Schoolgirl" by Osamu Dazai features a motif of a faint sunset sky☀️ The pink and blue gradient is beautiful, and the marshmallows resembling clouds are adorable.▶︎ "The Sorrow of Honey" by Saisei Muro is a cream soda that expresses the colors of goldfish. It is represented with a red to orange gradient and has a citrus flavor, making it refreshing.The participating stores are Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store (Tokyo), Maruzen LaLaport Kawasaki Store (Kanagawa), and Maruzen Kyoto Main Store (Kyoto). However, "Traveling Cafe" collaboration goods are also available at 32 Maruzen Junkudo bookstores nationwide. (The gacha-gacha items were too cute!)The cream sodas provided vary depending on the period, and I was able to go just in time for the first half, so I want to go again in the second half!✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼[Participating Stores]- Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store- Maruzen LaLaport Kawasaki Store- Maruzen Kyoto Main Store[Period]August 3, 2023 (Thursday) - September 24, 2023 (Sunday)[Menu]August 3 (Thursday) - August 27 (Sunday): "Lemon," "The Sorrow of Honey," "Schoolgirl"August 28 (Monday) - September 24 (Sunday): "Schoolgirl," "Under the Full Bloom of the Cherry Blossoms," "Night on the Galactic Railroad"✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼

I was drawn to the visual and concept of MARUZEN café in Kyoto (Kawaramachi), a cafe featuring literary cream soda. A collaboration with "Traveling Cafe", the "Literary Cream Soda" Fair started on August 3, 2023, at MARUZEN Marunouchi Main Store (Tokyo), MARUZEN LaLaport Kawasaki Store (Kanagawa), and MARUZEN Kyoto Main Store (Kyoto) for a limited time. I chose Dazai Osamu's "Schoolgirl" while my friend chose Kajii Motojiro's "Lemon". Both cream sodas delicately expressed the characteristics of each novel, providing enjoyment in both appearance and taste. Plus, there was a delightful novelty item included. During the event, the menu changes in the first and second half, so you can enjoy cream sodas inspired by your favorite authors and works. Don't miss out on the opportunity to try them! #LiteraryCreamSoda #MARUZENcafe #KyotoCafe #MARUZENcafeKyotoStore #TravelingCafe

I tried to order Hayashi but it was sold out. I will try again next time. I had a hot Royal Milk Tea delivered to me in a pot. It was enough for more than two tea cups and I am satisfied! The atmosphere inside the restaurant is calm and relaxing.

The Hayashi rice was very delicious. The sauce was tasty, and the rice was also delicious. I was lucky to taste such a wonderful flavor.

This is a calm and relaxing shop located on the 2nd floor underground at Kyoto BAL. They are famous for their cakes inspired by Kajii Motojiro's "Lemon", but today I tried their milk crepe. The cream was rich and not too sweet. They offer a choice of three types of syphon coffee. The staff is kind and attentive. It's a peaceful place to spend time. I will definitely visit again. Thank you for the meal. I think it's a great service that they can remove the partitions if it's difficult to hear conversations.

Located on the B2 floor of Kyoto BAL, Maruzen Kyoto store has a café called "Marzen Cafe". While the Starbucks on the 3rd floor of BAL is always crowded, I personally think this "Marzen Cafe" is a hidden gem as it is relatively quiet. I ordered the organic herb tea with lemon (¥600). Kyoto's Maruzen is known as the setting for Kajii Motojiro's famous work "Lemon". Although it has moved a few times, it is not exactly the same place. When it comes to "Marzen Cafe", the original hashed rice is a must-try. However, at the Kyoto store, enjoying a menu inspired by "Lemon" while reminiscing about the world of "Lemon" is a special experience. I have tried the lemon cake before, so this time I opted for the herb tea. It has a fragrant aroma but is easy to drink, and you can definitely feel the refreshing taste of lemon. The atmosphere is calm, and the Wi-Fi is available, making it very convenient to use. I will definitely continue to visit this place in the future.

The 850 yen waffle was crispy, the soft serve ice cream was rich, and the Mont Blanc was a delight for those with a sweet tooth, with plenty of chestnut cream and whipped cream inside. Despite the temptation of waiting and hunger, my desire to lose weight and save money was no match for the delicious treats. I have no regrets.

I visited the restaurant on Sunday at 7:30 PM, just before closing. I ordered the Lemon (850 yen) with a coffee as the set drink. The lemon was surprisingly sour but delicious. The coffee was made using a siphon, which was very unique and interesting. I decided to take a commemorative photo with the paperback book I brought along. I think the photo turned out quite nice.

Once again, my wife and I took a trip to Kyoto. We were tired from walking, but everywhere was crowded, so we took a break at the café in Maruzen. 16:05 - Waiting outside 16:10 - Entered, seated, ordered 16:20 - Sweets and drinks arrived. [Summary] Mont Blanc - 600 yen A cake with a diameter of about 40mm and a height of 60mm in the shape of a triangular prism. A Mont Blanc with lemon inside on a base that looks like crushed cookies, with cream inside. The base has a nutty almond-like flavor that is nice. The lemon in the Mont Blanc is not overpowering and gently supports the sweetness of the chestnut. Smooth with a mouthfeel reminiscent of chestnut-lemon paste. The cream is not heavy and refreshing. The lemon is added to the Mont Blanc in a good balance without excessive acidity. Iced Coffee - 730 yen Easy to drink with a mild acidity and bitterness.

The motif of the cake and siphon coffee from Kajii Motojiro's novel "Lemon" is excellent! The cake is not only visually appealing, but also deliciously refreshing. Layers of jelly and sponge on top of the cake resemble real lemon peel. The Kyoto-style siphon coffee served meticulously is also very tasty. This cafe inside a bookstore, where you can always relax even in crowded Kyoto, is a place I often visit. It's a hidden gem that I don't want to share with too many people, haha.

■Order Summary - Wellness (tax included 650 yen) Rating = ○ - Regular Iced Coffee (tax included 550 yen) Rating = △ ■Comments I visited for a break around 2:30 pm on a holiday. The interior of the shop was moderately empty, with about 60% occupancy. The distance between tables is spacious, allowing you to relax without worrying about your surroundings. After being seated at a table, I ordered the menu as listed in the order summary. - Wellness (tax included 650 yen) Rating = ○ The mint aroma is impressive. The taste is complex, with hints of acidity and spicy flavors like cinnamon. However, for some reason, the balance was good and the taste was satisfying. It warms the body. It's great that you can remove the tea bag from the pot at an appropriate taste, allowing you to enjoy it until the end. By the way, the hourglass was a unique one that goes up from the bottom. - Regular Iced Coffee (tax included 550 yen) Rating = △ Since it's iced, the aroma is not the same, but when you taste it, the fragrant aroma that escapes through your nose is nice. The taste has a good balance of bitterness and richness. You can adjust the flavor with syrup and milk.

The Hayaishi Rice is heavily promoted as the signature menu, but I didn't find it particularly delicious... The cafe attached to Maruzen bookstore is a calm place, so I recommend just ordering coffee and enjoying a leisurely read instead of trying the food.

I moved to Kyoto BAL to use the cafe attached to Maruzen Kyoto Main Store. Here is a little history of "Maruzen" - the bookstore "Maruzen" Kyoto branch (Maruyazenzabekichi store) started in Meiji 5, opened on Sanjo Street Kuya-cho in Meiji 40. It then moved to Kawaramachi Street Takoyakushi and closed in 2005. The novel "Lemon" by Kajii Motojiro features a scene where the protagonist places a lemon bought from a nearby vegetable store on top of an art book at Maruzen, likening it to a bomb. The store known for this is the Maruzen on Sanjo Street Kuya-cho. When the Takoyakushi store closed, fans mourned by leaving lemons inside the store like in the novel. The historic "Maruzen Kyoto Main Store" reopened in Kyoto BAL in August 2015 after 10 years. In celebration, a basket for lemons was set up in the store, along with limited edition original goods and commemorative stamps. The Maruzen Cafe is located on the basement 2nd floor of the bookstore. A detailed reproduction of the "Rakuchu Rakugai Zu Byobu" by "Densho Bi" is installed on the back wall. The spacious area exudes a luxurious lounge-like atmosphere. I ordered the Lemon dessert for 700 yen and a set of Syphon coffee for 350 yen. The Lemon creme chiboust features lemon peel, cream, and lemon jelly in a sponge container. The jelly has a slight bitterness and the tartness pairs well with the sweetness of the cream. The Syphon coffee is served in its container, with a slightly bitter and refreshing taste. Finally, I attempted to summarize Kajii Motojiro's "Lemon" in my own clumsy way. If you're interested, please read it.

I chose a cafe located in a corner of a bookstore for a solo lunch, hoping for a place that is easy to enter and where the staff are considerate. I had been curious about the curry they offered, but it turned out to be Hayashi Rice. It was delicious with its rich flavor. I also enjoyed dessert and coffee, making my solo meal a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

Maruzen is a store I always wanted to visit whenever I bought books there. It's located in a corner of the bookstore on the basement 2nd floor. The interior is adorned with luxurious golden folding screens that exude a sense of history. This place is said to be the birthplace of Hayashi Rice and highly recommended. According to a pamphlet, the history of Hayashi Rice here dates back to its founder, Mr. Hayashi, who served a stew of meat and vegetables with rice to a foreign friend, which became the inspiration for the dish. They even sell retort-packed versions of it. I tried the Pork Hayashi Rice and a dessert inspired by Kajii Motojirō's Lemon. The Pork Hayashi Rice is delicious with its sweet and rich flavor. I like strong flavors, so I enjoyed the lingering aftertaste. The Lemon Waffle and Soft Serve, shaped like a lemon, were new to me. Inside the lemon-shaped container was a sweet and sour lemon jelly that was jiggly and captured the essence of lemon perfectly. The cream on top contained lemon peel, which was rich and complemented the refreshing jelly well. I really liked the Pork Hayashi Rice here! The relaxing atmosphere is also a plus. I would love to visit again when I'm looking for books and feeling a bit peckish.

I heard a rumor that Mr. Hayashi invented Hayashi Rice, so when I saw the sign for Hayashi Rice at Maruzen Cafe in Kyoto, I had to try it. I love Hayashi Rice, so I ordered the Hayashi-Curry Omelette Rice. The cafe had a calm and upscale atmosphere, fitting for a bookstore cafe. The Hayashi Rice looked ordinary, but the rich flavor and depth of the sauce surprised me. It had a hint of tomato, but the well-cooked sauce was elevated by spices, meat, vegetables, and other flavors. The white rice wrapped in a thin egg layer paired perfectly with the sauce. The curry was also delicious, with a good balance of spices, richness, and a hint of heat. It truly lived up to the reputation of being the original Hayashi Rice. I wish Masayuki Yamamoto had tried this before singing his song. For 1200 yen, it was worth it.

I wanted to eat lemon cake, so I visited MARUZEN cafe, which I had been curious about for a while. It is located on the 2nd basement floor of Maruzen in Sanjo. I visited around 4 pm on a weekday, so it was very empty. As expected of a bookstore cafe, everyone around was reading books. It was refreshing to see people reading books instead of staring at their phones, which is common these days. I ordered a set for 2000 yen, which included salad, drink, half servings of beef and pork hashed rice, and lemon cake. The salad was very filling and satisfying. The hashed rice allowed me to enjoy two different flavors, making it a good deal. And the lemon cake... it was delicious! The sponge was fluffy, with cream and lemon jelly inside, along with lemon peel. The lemon cake had a strong acidity, with a hint of bitterness from the lemon peel. I really liked the taste. The presentation was also cute, with the cake placed inside a hollowed-out lemon. If I have the chance, I would like to go with my sister, who also loves lemon cake.

Do you all know the novel "The Lemon" by Kajii Motojirō? Have you heard that one of the origins of the popular Western dish "Hayashi Rice" is a beef and vegetable stew made by Maruzen's founder Hayashi Yūteki? The cafe I visited this time has a deep connection to both of these. In the novel "The Lemon," there is a scene where it mentions "I am the bizarre villain who set a terrifying golden bomb shining on the Maruzen shelf, ..." and that Maruzen is the Maruzen in Kyoto, and the cafe I visited is located inside this Maruzen. I ordered a set menu that includes the Hayashi Rice related to the founder of Maruzen and the sweets "The Lemon" inspired by Kajii's work. After enjoying the salad that was served first, the Hayashi Rice was brought out. The base of the sauce is the same, but the one in front is made with pork and the one in the back is made with beef. It is a simple but satisfying taste. After finishing the Hayashi Rice, sweets and drinks were served. "The Lemon" is a rich-flavored cream chiffon made with whole lemons, with lemon-flavored sponge cake on top, cream cheese (or whipped cream) in the middle, and lemon jelly at the bottom. If you like a refreshing taste, you will especially enjoy it. Maruzen Cafe is also located in Tokyo, where they serve Hayashi Rice, but "The Lemon" I had this time seems to be unique to Kyoto. Please consider this if you are interested.

A cafe located on the basement floor of BAL, run by the stationery manufacturer Maruzen. Maruzen reopened in 2005 after closing down, and has a wide selection of books, creating a quiet atmosphere. Stylishly served coffee in a siphon flask on the table. The coffee has a rich aroma, with a taste of richness and bitterness. The clear bitterness is impressive. Even when it cools down, the coffee retains its aroma and flavor. It has a fresh taste without any unpleasant acidity, maintaining its deliciousness. The elegant Noritake coffee cup adds to the experience.