% ARABICA Kyoto Arashiyama

Got here in the early afternoon and the line was around the building. I had a Kyoto latte and purchased a bag of coffee that they happily grounded up for me. The aroma is mouthwatering and the coffee itself was nutty and full-bodied. I was definitely satisfied!

The weather was lovely, the coffee was excellent, and the staff were incredibly kind. They even allow you to book the cozy balcony for 30 minutes, making the experience even more special.

Haven't seen a cafe with a prettier view than this. The coffee was so good, did not feel touristy at all. We had to wait for 15 mins for our coffee but, the view and the atmosphere made it worth the wait. And the KYOTO LATTE Please get that!!!!

Super small coffee shop with very good smooth coffee. I wish there were seating inside the shop to enjoy the coffee and the view. This coffee shop sits right across from the river! such a great location. There are seats outside but it would have been great if there were seats inside so not so many people are crowding around outside of the shop. Since it's rude to walk and drink/eat at the same time in Japan, it would have been nice to be able to sit down to enjoy the coffee. There is a restroom inside the shop.

While visiting Arashiyama, we saw a long queue towards this small cafe. The wait was a bit long but I don’t think I’ve ever visited a cafe with a view as pretty as this. I tried out the matcha latte and Kyoto latte and they tasted alright. I understand the appeal of coming here for the views.

Coffee lovers you need to visit this cafe ASAP!! Yes the line was long but I wanted to get my caffeine boost😄 The coffee was rich, strong, and delicious. What more can you ask for. Coffee with a beautiful view 🤩

Tiktok trend hyping up too much So the atmosphere of the location of this cafe is incredible! But the coffee itself (we tried Kyoto latte, cafe latte, matcha latte) isn’t anything special. It’s not bad but just really overhyped, it’s „good“ but not incredible. The Que was long but that was to be expected. The staff was very nice and kind:) I would definitely take a coffee here if I’m close already.

Review for March 2024 visit The coffee is good, but it’s not “wait for an hour in line” good. The ordering system was not very efficient and they don’t do a great job managing after you put in your order. Nice location though, I guess

There was a lot of hype surrounding this coffee joint. The line to get coffee is ridic! We waited forever lol and then you wait some more after you order for them to make your drink but you know what? I wasn't mad about it. The cafe is in a beautiful location. So idyllic. Lots of people watching abounds and you look out on the water and it's beautiful! How lucky we are to be here.  I love coffee so felt like I had to try this place no matter how long the line. I fully expected to be somewhat disappointed by my drink and think it not worth the long wait but I felt the complete opposite. I got the Kyoto latte hot and that first sip hit! I'm not sure if the wait made it tastier but I really enjoyed it. It had a little sweetness to it. I felt the perfect amount! I thoroughly enjoyed every sip and was sad when it was over There is no seating inside the cafe but it's not necessary as you just go take your drink and imbibe it on the concrete seating by the water. Vibes were 100!

% Arabica is a coffee brand that originated in Kyoto and has grown to over 100 locations. I've had it previously in LA (at the Grove) and in Manhattan. This location in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan is probably its most famous because of its iconic location. The % Arabica coffee stand sits directly facing the Hozugawa River in Arashiyama, which is famous for their bamboo garden and monkey park. There is no seating, but you can find a place to sit outside by the river. This was our plan and we were glad that it didn't rain or snow (it snowed yesterday and it is supposed to snow tomorrow). We waited for about 30 minutes and ordered two Kyoto Lattes. The lattes are espresso based and they had their mixture of milk and condensed milk. It's a nice latte: it's better than most international chains and can compete with a lot of baristas. I wouldn't recommend that you to venture out 30 minutes from Kyoto Station to seek out this coffee; but we did come out this way to enjoy the beautiful backdrop of Arashiyama and we felt having their latte in hand was a huge plus. (Note that there are three other locations of % Arabica in Kyoto and three locations in Tokyo).

Awesome coffee shop in Arashiyama. I had no idea this was a chain but apparently there are several locations throughout Japan and now even other countries. It was a drizzly Sunday that we came here and it was PACKED. Line was very long and we waited about a half hour from the time we got in line to the time we got our drinks. However the location is fantastic right on the river so the views kept us entertained while we waited. The coffee shop itself is very tiny with no seating, so the majority of your time is spent outside waiting. Now was the coffee worth a 30 minute wait? Hard to say. It was definitely a solid latte (I added a bit of sugar) and the latte designs were cute. We had the time so for us it was a worthwhile afternoon pick-me-up! I will be keeping an eye out for other locations near me!

Beautiful shop with a stunning waterfront! Get the Kyoto latte and skip the matcha. The Kyoto has a rich, chocolate-like flavor, all without compromising the punch of a dark roast espresso. It has a velvety texture and is super refreshing over ice. My group and I enjoyed our drinks by the water for a nice break in our day in Arashiyama, and for an unforgettable photo op of course. I lined up around 4pm on a weekday and there were about 10 or so people ahead of me. From joining the line to getting my order, it took 20 min.

10000% worth the hype. The Kyoto latte was amazing and the view of the river is so beautiful. There will be a long line so beware!! We got there around 9:30am and the line was massive so we left. We came back around 2:30pm and the line was significantly much shorter but still waited for like 45 minutes.

Out of all the % Arabica coffee shops, this is by far the most scenic. It was raining the day we arrived and even then, we we ended up waiting for about 15 minutes to order and to receive our drinks.There are two lines: the one entering to the left was to order and the right, to pick up your order. You have to exit after ordering to keep the flow of the shop. The matcha was a bitter and strong but there are sugar syrups you can add to your liking. I much preferred the Kyoto Coffee as it was creamy and hit the spot on a rainy day. If you have more of a sweet tooth, I'd recommend going for the Kyoto Coffee. Each drink for us was 500 yen each. Although both were good, I don't know if these drinks would be worth more than a 30 minute wait. There is a private table/room you can book for 1000 yen for 30 minutes. * Please keep out of the streets!

This was definitely a place that's popular purely for the views but that just makes the wait worth it to me since it was just views at every corner. We got a matcha latte and kyoto latte. Drinks wasnt out of this world but definitely good. Just make sure to add a lot of sugar because the drinks come without any whatsoever.

Felt kind of cheesy to follow our guidebook's walking tour of the Arashiyama bamboo grove, with a mandatory coffee pit stop here. We hit the bamboo grove early and it was already a touch packed for our liking at 8 am on a weekday in May. Afterwards we followed the guidebook to grab some coffee at % Arabica, which is a Kyoto-based franchise that is making rounds around the world. Not surprising to find light crowds at 845 am (opens at 9). We kept our expectations reasonable for iced oat lattes on a hot day. Goodness. Was not expecting to have the rich flavors knock our socks off. One of the better coffees I've ever had. So smooth with creamy roasted coffee body with very light acidity. Damn we are on this bandwagon. Excited to check out their other locations.

One of the great nicest Arabica coffee shops to stop by for drinks and for the views of Katsura River. Just know that there isn't a place to sit inside unless you pay ¥1000 for 30 minutes to sit at their mini balcony for a little privacy room. When we got there, a big party was just about to leave and I asked if we could go and sit there since it was raining. My mom and I wanted to just relax and soak the views all in since we walked around all day and wanted to rest. It's not a bad spot to be but I wouldn't pay for more than 30 minutes at the coffee shop.

Absolutely worth the hype & braving the long line. The caffe latte and Kyoto latte are beyond smooth- the way they foamed the milk how they did is beyond me, and the Flavor of the coffee was absolutely unforgettable. It seems you can pay an extra 1000 yen to get the tiny private room for 30 mins to drink your coffee and get your photos in, but no one was using it while we were there.

We came here because we heard from friends that this is some of the best coffee in the world. The line outside is extremely long (Saturday 10 AM), taking about 40 min just to get an order in. And on top of that, once you order there is a second line which takes another 15 minutes to get your drink. If you come to this location, I highly recommend doing a mobile order. The espresso itself was pretty tasty, but flavor was too subtle and was drowned out by the milk in the latte. Price of 500 yen for a latte was alright. Service was friendly and professional, and they are honestly working very hard given how many customers there are. There is definitely tastier, cheaper, and speedier coffee elsewhere in Japan.

Had to stop by this popular coffee spot after walking around the area. Bright and incredibly sunny outside, but still a wrapping line around this small outpost. Got to the front of the line after about 10ish minutes. Ordered the Kyoto Latte (¥550) and a Ham/cheese sandwich (¥500). Items come out after five minutes - which you can take outside by the water to enjoy. Great coffee, lots of flavor, not too sweet and a balanced bitterness. Sandwich is not bad - solid ratio of ingredients to bread and not overly dry. They actually have a room inside to rent if you want to eat in, but there are plenty of open ledges to have it outside. Worth a moderate wait to try in the area.

Coffee was ok. I didn't understand the hype. Don't waste your time waiting if there is a long line. Use it to explore the town more or go to Monkey mountain.

Definitely worth the hype. Hitting grove early in the morning without having my caffeine, this shop definitely fixed my crave. The freshly roasted coffee smelled and tasted strong and bold. The baristas were attentive and accommodating. This shop is a tourist stop so it is a bit noisy with loud spoken tourists. But for the quality, it was great!!

Beautiful scenery overall. Liked the bamboo forest, although it's hard to take a good picture due to the crowd of visitors. There are many hidden gems off the main tourist attractions. We discovered a very traditional tofu house with a beautiful garden off the main street.

Waited 30 minutes in line for this Kyoto latte but definitely worth the wait. It helped me get through the morning with the busy crowds and blaring sun around the bamboo forest. I find typical lattes can be too sweet but the condensed milk in this latte does not overpower the coffee and works really well. Its right by the water with amazing scenery to enjoy the latte. Maybe going a little earlier to beat the lines would be a smarter idea if Im back

I got the iced coffee and it was pretty good. They make it fresh after you ordered. The wait was a little bit long since this is a popular spot. Definitely recommend to other to try it out.

A small spot for a quick grab to go coffee shop. Maybe not quick since the line was out the door. The line was form of tourist. More or less, it was a tourist spot but not a tourist trap. As I was waiting on the line, the aroma filled the air. Not surprisingly, the hot latte came out beyond my expectation with smooth aroma of espresso simulated with prefect amount of milk. As I stood in front of the riverbank holding a latte, it was a lifetime experience.

If you haven't heard 2% Arabica is a popular coffee shop in the area so be prepared for a line out the door. Arabica is a very hipster type of coffee shop. It has a nice clean and modern design that makes it perfect for your cup of coffee. The Arashiyama location is pretty small so there's no indoor seating here, but due to it's location you can grab a spot near the water to enjoy the great view. It look ~15 mins to order and we did both an iced/hot version of their latte and honestly it was pretty darn good. Probably the best coffee I had during my trip. It's more on the milky side of things but that's my preference. To the right of the counter they also have gum syrup if you need it sweeter. They also have different types of packages beans for you to order at the counter as well and they take card so order to your heart's desire!

Delicious coffee riverside. Gorgeous view, especially in the fall. Very limited standing room. No seatings. Treat yourself to some good drinks after enduring the crowds at the bamboo forest.

Coffees are about 500Yen each, which is steep, but my boyfriend said it was one of the better lattes he's ever had in his life. There's a small room with a table that you can rent, so you won't see anyone in there. It's a nice coffee stop on the way to see monkeys or just to stop by for coffee while sitting by the water. The cups also have a % on them, which is cute.

This was my favorite coffee spot that I visited during my Japan trip! Nestled right next to the Katsuragawa River, this is the perfect spot to grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a beautiful view of Arashiyama. Their menu is simple, but their coffee is delicious. I ordered the iced caffe latte, and though it looks like it's mostly milk, the coffee was still strong and not too bitter. There was a long line when I arrived at 10am on a Sunday. I didn't know that this place was so popular, but it was crowded with locals and tourists. The coffee shop is a bit small but has a chic, modern interior. There's no indoor seating, but you can find seating along the river to enjoy an amazing view of the mountains. Service was also wonderful. Even though it was was a busy morning, the baristas got drinks out quickly.

Arabica has attracted quite the attention with its smooth tasty coffee/latte/espresso, location between the bamboo Grove and monkey forest, modern hipster look, and a multi-lingual staff. Aim to get here early if you can (you'd want to get to the bamboo forest early anyway if you want some pictures with the least amount of people) as by noon, the line can get to 20 deep. The line moves as fast as any fine latte place can. Place is super compact so it can get crowded as you wait for your drink and for everyone who got their orders before you to take their pictures. There's a neat little private room attached to the shop you can rent by the half hour that overlooks the river. Awesome if you just want some peace and quiet with your coffee and someplace nice to sit.

Super cute/hipster coffee shop located in Kyoto right along the river between the bamboo forest and monkey park in Arashiyama. Even though their menu isn't that big, they really know their coffee. I got their latte, with a cute latte art on top, of course. Yes, their coffee was bold and very smooth. Nothing I've ever tasted before in the US. If there's a line outside going up the road, don't feel discouraged to turn around and find another coffee shop. THIS PLACE IS WORTH THE WAIT!! There isn't much space inside so once you get your coffee you will feel obligated to leave and let everyone else wait for their coffee. There is a small space inside you can rent to sit down and have your coffee with the views of the river. Perfect for a warm sunny day!

Wonderful espresso in Kyoto just across the bridge from Monkey Park. My wife and I stopped by for some afternoon caffeination and we were not disappointed! The americano was beautifully balanced and easily enjoyed black. Even against the blends and single origin espresso roasts I've had over the years, Arabica's went straight to the top of my list by the end of my first sip.

Traveled all the way to this cute little town just for this coffee spot :) so pretty. A very small/limited menu to order from, but their baguette sandwich and their special latte was delicious. I didn't need to add any sugar to my latte, it was already sweet yummy as is. If you can make it there when they first open at 8am you probably won't have to wait as long, but as it got closer to 9am the line started to progress around the corner. This was a pretty time to enjoy my coffee there by the water, with the Sakura trees in view :)

Best cup of coffee I got while in Japan! Coffee was rich and bold! The milk in my latte was smooth. Altogether, it was just a really good cup of coffee during our break. We were here after our mini hike up Monkey Park. It was a nice spot to rest up and walk some more!

I first saw this coffee from an Instagram post, and immediately became interested in it. However I was little disappointed when I learned that it is only in Asian. But finally I came to Kyoto in Japan and realized that there is one located here! The place was super small, express only. I love the simplicity and the plain style of the shop. There were literally only one cashier and one barista, working nonstop. The cup came in multiple sizes of hot, and one size for cold. The price is similar as any coffee price. I got the ice latte, blended instead of single origin. And oh goodness it was good! One sip and I literally forgot when was the last time I had a good latte. Too back it is just in Asia. They should really consider opening on back in the states!

It's worth waiting in line. The lattes were well crafted, flavorful and hot. Amazing how simple this concept is and why can't the USA do something as straightforward stylish? Lots of instagramming tourists here, and funny to see a 1000 yen room rental charge option for the one and only table.

Over-hyped. Stopped here on my walk to Monkey Mountain. Coffee was ok, service was ok, and the place was uncomfortably small. Even though the place was empty we couldn't sit on the patio because it's a "rental space" - annoying. I only recommend if you can't get coffee elsewhere.

Hipster coffee in a gorgeous setting with trees next to a river and close to a famous bridge. There wasn't much of a line when we arrived on a Saturday late afternoon. My iced latte was milky and needed only a little sugar. There is another location by Kiyomizu-dera as well and other branches all over the world.

4 stars because i'll be back to try the espresso HOT next time and hopefully give it at 5 :) The summer heat really got to me, so i ordered an iced latte. (reco from the server) Unfortunately, I felt like all I was drinking was milk. I'd recommend getting an Americano if you had to order an iced espresso drink to really enjoy the beans. The shop itself is tiny and there's no room to sit, but there's a bench outside, or you can pay extra to enjoy a private booth next to the espresso machines. The view is FABULOUS and you can tell that every drink is made with precision and care. They roast their own beans and the shop smells wonderful. I'll be back!

Awesome coffee shop right on the river in Arashiyama! The shop is tiny but beautifully designed. You can spot it a mile away because of the line that snakes out the door. But service is fast and efficient. The iced latte was perfect--make sure to grab a syrup pod to add! My husband enjoyed the iced americano as well. We both enjoyed our drinks as we crossed the Togetsukyo Bridge on a beautiful spring afternoon. Highly recommend!

Coffee with a view! We happened to arrive at Arabica right before they opened, but there was already a line. It was chaos for a while after they opened but they got us in and out quickly and the service was great! The highlight was the view of the Togetsukyo Bridge and Katsura river. It's one of the most scenic areas we visited in Japan. Gorgeous backdrop for some great coffee at Arabica.

We were on our way to the Monkey Park after the Bamboo Groves when we noticed an Arabica store. Since we enjoyed their coffee from their Higashiyama store the previous day, we decided to take a break. I ordered the same iced Americano, which was just as good. However, we were disappointed there was limited seating. There's a fee for the inside seating although the seats outside facing the river was free.

I have got to hand it to the 2 people working this kiosk. The coffee was awesome! I got a cafe macchiato and man did it get me wired. But it wasn't painful like most places I've tried. And the espresso wasn't too over powering for my tastes (by the way, I normally don't go for this drink but they didn't have mochas). The views from this place are also amazing. It's right next to the river! Definitely a nice place for a date.

An international chain with a simple menu including things like cafe latte, macchiato, and americano. This location is right on the river near the Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama. The coffee we had was great. The store itself is very tiny with essentially no space to sit, but there is a bathroom inside. You can go right outside and have your drink while you enjoy the view of the river and the bridge. It can get very crowded so get your coffee early!

Fantastic place to go to after finishing your hike through the bamboo forest. It's by the river so you have gorgeous sights to view while having your coffee. The coffee is ~500yen, and they provide espressos, americanos, and lattes (unfortunately no cappucinos). I had the iced latte which was a little bit too milky for my liking but it was still good.

I came here at the recommendation of a friend who recently visited Kyoto. GREAT tasting lattes! I got an iced blended latte and my husband got the iced single origin latte. They were so rich and smooth. We also got the one baguette they sell (nothing special) and rented the seating area for 1,000 yen for 30 minutes. Why just four stars? Minimal seating, saw a huge bug inside by the coffee machines, and no skim or low fat milk. Their seating area had so many bugs I probably got bit three times will sitting there just for half hour.

Good coffee with a view. What more to ask? Americano, expresso, latte to go or to be enjoyed on the store bench with a magnificent view of the river and mountains. The store is small but absolutely beautiful. MONEY MONEY MONEY Small size : 350 yen for a single origins. 400 yen for a blend. TIP : I would suggest you to go late, a little before closing time so there won't be much of a crowd and you can enjoy peacefully.

The best coffee shop in Kyoto region! the Expresso was on point- smooth and strong. None of that acidic after taste! Definitely a great place for a caffeine fix after a hike up to the monkey park or after the bamboo forest walk. There's seat in along the edge of the shop with the river view! Come Check it out! After leaving the bamboo forest, walk to the Main Street and take a right. Shop is a block away!

This place is pretty new to Kyoto. It started in 2015 but already seems to have blended in and become a mainstay here. They have two shops that obviously cater to tourists: one location in Higashiyama (east Kyoto) on the way to the popular tourist destination of Kiyomizudera. And this location in Arashiyama (west Kyoto) on the way to the bamboo forest and monkey park. Great espresso style coffee, even though that's not typically what I like. This is the rare coffee I can drink comfortably without adding creamer. The clean minimalist interior design, and exterior design details with white rocks are really nice touches. Both locations also seem to have bilingual staff on hand (maybe trilingual? Chinese speaking staff would be smart). It seems to me that Kyoto, more than Osaka or Tokyo, has resisted trying to adapt to foreign languages, other than paying lip service with horribly garbled translations and shop staff that don't even seem to try to understand when I speak Japanese sometimes (I know my Japanese is horrible though). But no worries, as % Arabica bucks this trend: they're with it and understand that they can do a better business if they have friendly bilingual staff on hand. The Apple store also does this, because they are smart and understand that will draw more customers. It's really hard to give them anything less than five stars. If I had to fault them for anything, it would be the lack of space inside the shop - this place is made for to-go coffee, something that I guess has been slowly catching on in Japan. Here you kinda have no choice but to take it to go, unless you want to pay extra to rent a small room. This location is smaller than the Higashiyama location, which even then has a big communal table but still feels too small. Both locations roast their own beans in-house. This Arashiyama location has a smaller roaster, so it's less efficient, so it sounds like they get some of their roasted beans from their other location, which has a larger capacity. Great stuff all around, definitely give it a try! Hard to miss either location if you're visiting popular areas in Kyoto.

Touristy, crowded and slow as f--k but honestly, it's the only good coffee so far that I found in Kyoto. It's a tiny kiosk located along the picturesque Katsuragawa River, the line stretches outside the place and there's no place to sit and enjoy your coffee. However, the latte was really good so it is what it is. Recommended if you're in the area and are fed up with horrible vending machine coffee.

Good coffee but honestly not worth the hype :( it's a beautiful location to drop in after walking around Arashiyama though!

Stunning location and coincidentally one of the only coffee shops open early in Kyoto in and around the Arashiyama area (bamboo forest, monkey park area). We stopped by here on our way to the monkey park at around 8:30 a.m. and the line was a bit long, but moved rather briskly. There is also a restroom inside the shop, which is nice if you need a pit stop. Definitely a great place to stop by to caffeine up if you, like me woke up at an ungodly hour to go early to the Arashiyama bamboo forest to take pictures before the crowds show up.

Just a couple stores left of the main road past the bridge towards the bamboo forest sits one of the smallest but popular coffee shops. I've been to a couple of chain coffee shops whilst on my trip here in Japan, and got to try a fair share of lattes. I figured if they source their beans from different countries, they may know a thing or two about coffee. Yes they definitely do. Arabica definitely serves the best lattes.

What a coffee shop to beat! My husband and I visited this location while we were in Kyoto for our honeymoon. Loved their coffee and also their sparkling lemonade (perfect for the summer heat). The view of Katsura River from the cafe was absolutely beautiful, and because of that I think it's one of the more unique cafes that I've been too. The baristas were kind and helpful. Definitely was busy due to all the tourists, but service moved quickly and efficiently. Wishing we can go back one day!

A good place to make a photo, and sitting by the river outside with a iced Latte. Without doubt, the place is so popular via the internet, for a lot of fans coming to check it out. I love it's "tiny".

The coffee here is first rate and the fit out of the shop is really great. But my main concern is that they serve their coffee in paper cups! If you want great coffee, it's impossible to appreciate it from a take away cup so I'm a bit perplexed as to why they do it. Anyway, they had one normal cup available when I was there so I asked for it and got it. Great coffee in a nice air conditioned space. Standing room only as the seating area requires additional payment. Worth a stop if you like coffee, but make sure you ask for the proper cup.