Utsuwa and cafebar mokumoku
Utsuwa and Cafe Bar Mokumoku
87 Shimohoshinocho, Yasaka Tower, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
2 minutes on foot from the bus stop “Kiyomizu”
Tel.075-754-8805
9:00-15:00 (LO/14:30)
Sunday 11:00-15:00 (LO/14:30)
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, other irregular holidays
All seats non-smoking No private room 1 parking space (reservation required)
Among Kyoto’s major attractions, the places most visited by tourists are likely Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka around Hokanji Temple.
These areas are lined with antique shops, tea houses, and restaurants. However, there was a cafe with a completely opposite vibe to these, and that place was the vegan restaurant, Utsuwa and cafebar mokumoku.
To be honest, I was overwhelmed by fatigue due to the sheer number of tourists.
I had hoped to experience the tranquil and quiet atmosphere of an old Japanese street, but the environment was so different from my expectations that I felt truly exhausted.
I couldn’t think of what to photograph or what to enjoy. I was filled with nothing but emptiness, wondering why I had come here and what I was doing right now.
I was quickly losing interest in the occasional interesting tourist spots I saw.
At this rate, I had to return to my hotel room immediately.
That is how I discovered the cafe, Utsuwa and cafebar mokumoku, on my way down.
The reason I liked this place was for the exact opposite reason. This place was the exact opposite of the situation where everyone else was waiting in line at famous and delicious dumpling, curry, or ramen shops.
This was because there was no one else inside except for two staff members.
The softly flowing jazz music felt incredibly relaxing. It felt as if everything in this cafe existed just for me.
In other words, I had found the perfect resting place to completely wash away the fatigue of travel.
I don’t expect much from vegan food. That is because they don’t use particularly strong sauces, so it is obvious the taste will be bland. Such things don’t leave a lasting impression and aren’t interesting.
But what do I need right now?
Rest that allows me to relax comfortably—that is the most important thing, and I was able to have that at this cafe.
It is a feeling that anyone has likely experienced at least once while climbing up Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, but it is truly absurd. The fact that you have to carry around frustration and annoyance, wondering if this is really a place where you have to swarm through such a massive crowd.
The shop sells various items. It appears to be a Japanese-style handcrafted item, and it is beautiful, crafted with a subtle charm and analog sensibility.
Utsuwa and Cafe Bar Mokumoku Related Video
It is also fun just to look at it.
I ordered the A Course Set here and added an organic coffee.
As expected, the best part was the coffee.
As I mentioned earlier, while a vegan restaurant is worth trying once, a meat lover like me probably won’t visit again.
The coffee completely blew away my fatigue.
I am grateful for that alone.
A vegan restaurant that served as a sanctuary in this busy and noisy neighborhood.
There may be others who visit for the same reasons as I did, but since this is a pretty and stylish place, I hope vegans will frequent it.
Wishing you an even more enjoyable trip to Kyoto.
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