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[Gion] ZEN [Tenjin] SURAJ [Hakata] Kohakukan

岩上智一郎

2026/08/01 sat


ZEN CAFE

When people mention "ZEN" in Gion, Kyoto, it generally refers to either the modern hideaway cafe produced by the long-established Japanese confectionery shop "Kagizen Yoshifusa" that has been around since the Edo period, ZEN CAFE," or the art museum across the street, "ZENBI -Kagizen Yoshifusa- KAGIZEN ART MUSEUM." There is also a hotel nearby called "&zen. Kyoto Gion."&zen. Kyoto Gion" also exists.

Here, we will provide detailed information focusing on the particularly popular "ZEN CAFE."

🌿 Overview of ZEN CAFE

This is a hideaway Japanese confectionery cafe for adults, nestled in a quiet back alley away from the hustle and bustle of the Gion tourist area. In this modern and minimalist space, you can enjoy original sweets that utilize traditional techniques.

  • Signature Menu

    • Kuzumochi: Unlike Kagizen's signature "Kuzukiri," this is a special sweet finished so that the texture does not deteriorate even after time, allowing you to spend time slowly.

    • Seasonal Fruit Sandwich: A dish packed with dedication, where Japanese confectionery artisans finely adjust the sweetness of the cream to match the sugar content of the fruit.

    • Jo-namagashi (High-grade fresh Japanese sweets) and Tea Set: You can enjoy pairings tailored to modern lifestyles, such as coffee, black tea, and Japanese black tea.

  • Space & Features

    • The interior is like a gallery, mixing Nordic antiques with Japanese furniture.

    • There is a solid wood counter overlooking a small courtyard garden and sofa seats exclusively for solo guests, allowing you to quietly enjoy reading or time to yourself.

    • When ordering, a quiet system is used where you ring a small handbell on the table to call the staff.

📍 Basic Information

Item
Details
Content

Address
570-210 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0074

Access
Approx. 5-7 minutes walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line

Business Hours
11:00 - 18:00 (L.O. 17:30 *Subject to change depending on congestion)

Closed Days
Every Monday (or the following weekday if Monday is a public holiday)

Reservations
Not accepted (You may need to queue when full, but using the waiting time at the museum across the street is also recommended)

🎨 Surrounding & Related Facilities

  • ZENBI -Kagizen Art Museum-

    • A small museum located right in front of ZEN CAFE. It regularly holds special exhibitions conveying Gion's culture, including woodwork and lacquerware by Tatsuaki Kuroda, collected by successive heads of Kagizen Yoshifusa.

  • &zen. Kyoto Gion

    • A smart hotel (accommodation facility) with 18 rooms in the Gion Shinmonzen area. It adopts a simple self-check-in format as a sightseeing base close to Yasaka Shrine and Hanamikoji Street.

Indian Cuisine SURAJ

Second visit

Located in the 'Suikyo Tenmangu Yokocho' in Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture,'Indian Cuisine SURAJ Tenjin Main Store'is a long-established, authentic Indian restaurant founded in 1999.

A veteran Indian chef with over 40 years of experience prepares authentic curries using a blend of about 20 spices and naan baked in a charcoal-fired tandoor oven.

Detailed store information, menu features, and budget are summarized below.

🍛 Basic Information

  • Store Name: Indian Cuisine SURAJ Tenjin Main Store

  • Address: 1-15-3 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture (2-minute walk from Tenjin Station Exit 14, in front of Across Fukuoka)

  • Business Hours: Lunch 11:00-14:30, Dinner 17:30-22:30
    (*Some media indicate lunch until 14:00 and dinner until 23:00)

  • Closed: Open all year round (*Closed on December 31st and January 1st)

  • Payment Methods: Credit cards accepted (VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners)

💰 Budget & Menu Features

  • Estimated Budget: Lunch approx. 800-1,000 yen / Dinner approx. 1,500-3,000 yen [2, 7]

  • Recommended:

    • Fragrant "Garlic Naan" and "Tandoori Chicken" baked in a charcoal kiln

    • "Curry with Itoshima-grown green onions and chicken" using local ingredients

    • We also stock authentic Indian wines, which you can enjoy paired with our spiced dishes.

The interior has an exotic atmosphere reminiscent of India, with a homey feel that makes it easy to enter even alone. For detailed menus and reviews, please check Tabelog or Hot Pepper Gourmet.

Cumin rice on top, biryani on the bottom

Kohakukan

Here is information on the long-established coffee shop "Kohakukan" in Kamikawabata, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City.

Established in 1981, this is a nostalgic retro coffee shop where the warmth of brick and wood creates a comfortable atmosphere. It is located right near Kushida Shrine, known as the guardian shrine of Hakata, and the bustling Kamikawabata Shopping Arcade.

📌 Basic Information

  • Address: 1-6 Kamikawabata-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture (2-minute walk from Kushida-jinja-mae Station on the Nanakuma Subway Line)

  • Business Hours:

    • Mon-Fri: 11:00 - 19:00

    • Saturday: 11:00 - 18:00

    • Sunday: Closed

  • Budget: Around 1,000 yen (cash only)

  • Notes: Smoking is permitted at all seats (both heated and paper cigarettes are allowed), so minors under 20 are not permitted to enter in accordance with the Health Promotion Act. Also, seat reservations are not accepted.

🍛 Extensive Food & Drink Menu

Despite being a coffee shop, it offers a very extensive menu centered on Western-style cuisine.

  • Signature Dishes & Menu Highlights:

    • Rice Curry: A dish with a nostalgic flavor, characterized by its light, smooth roux.

    • Anko Coffee (Hot/Iced): A unique menu item featuring 'anko' (sweet red bean paste) in coffee; it is popular for its addictive, exquisite balance of Japanese and Western sweetness and bitterness (shaved ice is also available in summer).

  • Meals (Pasta, Pilaf, Curry):

    • Classic Napolitan, Carbonara, and Cod Roe Spaghetti

    • Pork Cutlet Curry, Hamburg Steak Curry, and Hayashi Omelet Rice

    • Shrimp & Egg Pilaf, Dry Curry

    • On Saturdays and holidays, we also offer a limited lunch set that includes a drink (coffee or tea) with your Pork Cutlet Curry or Napolitan.

  • Light meals & desserts:

    • Thick-cut toast, egg sandwiches, hot sandwiches (egg & cheese & bacon, etc.)

    • Cream soda, coffee float, fruit parfait, pancakes

  • Alcohol:

    • Bottled beer (Sapporo Hare-kaze), highballs

    • "Iced Whiskey Coffee," an adult-oriented iced coffee made with whiskey

☕ Shop Atmosphere

The interior is quiet and cozy, making it perfect for lunch alone, reading, or taking a break from work. There are counter and table seats, and it retains the strong atmosphere of a traditional Japanese-style coffee shop. For smokers, it is a very precious place in the city of Hakata where you can relax and enjoy a cigarette and coffee.

It was truly a classic coffee shop!
Dettan, thank you as always for the treat.

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