Today's Cafe Time: Enjoyed tea time at cafe KARIN right in front of Chion-in Temple. I had green tea and it revived me in the hot weather of Kyoto. The cafe also has a small souvenir shop, making it a relaxing spot. Thank you for the meal! #GakotoCafe #CafeKarin #GreenTea #GakotoKyoto #GakotoTravel #KyotoExploration

After visiting the shrine, on cold days, it's comforting to drink a warm beverage here. You can also have light snacks like pancakes, and I've even tried their cakes before, but the highlight is the warm drinks. This time, I ordered cocoa and it was filled generously, giving it a satisfying taste.

Jodo sect's head temple, Chion-in. Inside the Wajun Kaikan cafe in front of the gate. Looking for a menu to satisfy your hunger at lunchtime, there's only one choice: curry. It was curry for lunch the day before as well, but oh well. It's a common occurrence when going out for coverage. And yesterday's destination was also a temple. Well, what can you do. Thankful, thankful.

Today I had a bowl of sweet red bean soup at a café in a temple lodging. Located in front of the Sanmon Gate of Chion-in Temple in Higashiyama, Kyoto, Café Karin is inside the lodging called Washunkaikan. Part of the lodging has been turned into a souvenir shop and café. After walking around a lot, I thought about having a beer, but since I was in Higashiyama, I decided to try the sweet red bean soup instead. If you sit at a table, you can see the Sanmon Gate right in front of you. Unfortunately, the table seats were full, so I ended up sitting at the counter. It's nice to take a break while looking at the Sanmon Gate.

When I went to see the light-up at Kiyomizu-dera, I had some time before it started so I decided to take a break at a cafe nearby. I chose cafeKARIN (Cafe Kiyomizu-dera) where you can enjoy both eating in and taking out. Since it was cold outside, I decided to sit in and ordered a hot green tea instead of my usual hot coffee or latte. Ah, it's so warm and soothing~ It has a nice Kyoto vibe to it. It feels like a hidden gem, perfect for taking a break during your sightseeing.

When I arrived at the cafe I was aiming for, I was surprised to hear, "All drinks are sold out..." It seemed like it was still before opening hours, but there was nothing I could do. I love the time when dusk turns into night. I walked through Yasaka Shrine and headed to Chion-in Temple, taking a leisurely stroll. Then, I took a break at Cafe Karin on the first floor of Washunkaikan. You can also buy souvenirs here, so it seems handy to remember. I still have a little time until my next appointment... I enjoyed a coffee while taking a short break.

On August 26, 2016, while playing Pokémon GO in Maruyama Park, I came across this place when I wanted to take a little break. Intrigued by the sign that said "New Texture Snow Ice," I decided to go in. There was a counter to place orders, and tables were set up nearby. I ordered the mango snow ice at the counter. They told me to wait at the table. It took a little while, but when it arrived, it looked great! It was so delicious looking! They used mango ice, and when I tried it... it was quite moist. Not too crunchy, not too fluffy, it was definitely a new texture. As I mentioned earlier, they used mango ice, so the overall taste was rich in mango flavor. There were also sauce and fruit pieces on top of the ice, which was a delight for someone like me who loves mango. It was really delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Before heading to Chion-in from Yasaka Shrine, I planned to have tea at Nagrakuan in Maruyama Park, but unfortunately it was closed for renovations. So, I ended up walking around looking for another place to have tea and ended up at Cafe KARIN right in front of the main gate of Chion-in. It's a self-service cafe, so you order at the counter. The place was bustling with tourists, so it's a good idea to secure a seat first. I ordered a set of milk crepe and milk tea for 900 yen. It's a nice spot to take a break, with a convenient location and clean hotel-like restrooms at the back. They also have a souvenir shop attached, so I recommend checking it out.

Now it's April. KUMAO and his partner, who are always excited about April, went out for cherry blossom viewing in Kyoto. They live in Mie, which might not have the best reputation. When they tell people they are from Mie, they get mixed reactions, especially outside the Tokai and Kansai regions. People often give vague responses like "Oh, I see, there's a sea there," without much recognition. However, Mie is actually quite well-located, with Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Nara all within a day trip distance. So, they make the most of it and head to Kyoto for cherry blossom viewing. Their first stop is Daigo-ji, where Toyotomi Hideyoshi is said to have enjoyed cherry blossom viewing. The sight of the ancient cherry trees leaves a strong and fleeting impression on KUMAO and his partner. They then take the subway to Higashiyama. It's a beautiful day, so the place is packed with people. They visit the garden of Heian Shrine, but it seems a bit early as there are mostly buds. The cherry blossoms along the Biwako Sosui canal in Okazaki are in full bloom, making for a stunning sight. After walking around, they start to feel tired and thirsty. They arrive at Chion-in and find a nice shop inside the Wajunkai building in front of the Sanmon gate. Wajunkai is a lodging run by Chion-in. The shop on the first floor sells goods, serves coffee, and food. KUMAO and his partner order iced coffee and take a seat at the counter next to the kitchen. The coffee in a tumbler helps them refresh and recharge. The elegant atmosphere of the shop makes it appealing to everyone, especially those on a girls' trip. They are impressed by the service and the overall experience. They then visit Maruyama Park to see the cherry blossoms and take a stroll through the streets of Higashiyama. Suddenly, KUMAO feels someone's gaze on them. They cautiously look around and see a poster with a picture of a maiko holding a red umbrella. The poster looks very Kyoto-esque. However, what catches their attention is the bold text on the left that reads, "Shoplifting is not allowed." The emphasis on shoplifting in the font size, with the last "e" being smaller, leaves KUMAO and his partner feeling defeated. They have never shoplifted, but the poster makes them feel uneasy. They grit their teeth in frustration. Wait, did KUMAO have lips? No, he doesn't even have a mouth. KUMAO and his partner are left pondering where KUMAO's mouth is as they contemplate confronting the maiko about it.

At the first floor of the Washun Kaikan building located on the Gion side of the Sanmon gate of Chion-in Temple in Kyoto, there is a cafe where you can rest your feet after visiting Kiyomizu and Kodai-ji Temples. The cafe operates on a self-service basis with one staff member at the counter. After placing your order and making payment, they will bring your order to your table, so you can relax while waiting. Since there were no other customers at the time, it felt like a little special service. I took advantage of their offer and sat by the window with a view of the Sanmon gate, waiting for a few minutes. The warm mocha that arrived was perfect for warming up my cold body after walking around winter Kyoto. From here, I will walk towards Yasaka Shrine.

Cafe Karin June 3, 2012 (Sunday) Theme: Cafe & Restaurant (Other) Today, I took a break at a cafe located on the first floor of Chinenin Kaikan, right in front of Chinenin in Gion. This cafe operates on a self-service basis, so you pay first and then wait to be called by number. You go to the counter to pick up your order and return the dishes yourself. I had matcha chiffon cake and iced coffee, and the neighboring roll cake was also delicious. The chiffon cake was light and fluffy, and the red bean paste that came with it had a nice Kyoto touch. The parfait also looked delicious. By the way, there was black honey on the side of the chiffon cake and parfait with a note saying "Please help yourself."

Cafe KARIN at Chion-in Temple is in a great location, especially after climbing the huge staircase at the temple. They offer a delicious parfait which is perfect for the hot summer days. The portion size is generous and it is worth the wait as it is made fresh. The coffee is decent, although it may be a bit on the light side. The cafe is self-service with a shop next door. The sofa seats have low tables which may be a bit inconvenient, but the regular tables and counter seats are fine. Overall, it's a great place to relax and enjoy a treat, especially if you don't have the energy to explore other places in the area.

I came all the way to Kyoto, so I had to try some sweets, but my feet were tired from walking too much. I found this shop on the 1st floor of Chion-in Kaikan. It was self-service, but the staff brought the order to my table. I had coffee and matcha chiffon cake here. The chiffon cake came with black syrup, whipped cream, and red bean, so I tried the cake first and then enjoyed it with the syrup and cream. The view of Chion-in from the shop was also nice.

This is a self-service shop located on the 1st floor of Chion-in Kaikan, across from Chion-in Temple. The drinks come in paper cups, with a size similar to a medium at a coffee shop. I ordered the Japanese chestnut cake set (with hot coffee) and cocoa. The coffee was delicious. The cocoa, although it came with cream, was a bit thin. The large glass window of the shop offers a nice view of Chion-in Temple. After visiting Kiyomizu Temple, Kodai-ji Temple, and Maruyama Park, we found this cafe on our way to Sho-ren-in Temple. The prices are reasonable, and there are also hot sandwiches starting from 600 yen, which looked tasty. I noticed that Chion-in Kaikan is actually a hotel, with a Japanese restaurant located in the basement. The restroom was clean as well.