Hello everyone,
When we were on our annual trip to Japan this year we were lucky enough to stumble upon a hidden gem in Kyoto where we were in search of blooming cherry blossom trees. “Kotoba no haoto”, which roughly means “the buzz of words” is a cafe housed in a Machiya, a traditional wooden townhouse and was an oasis of calm after a frenetic cherry blossom viewing session in the nearby imperial palace gardens.
Although we had read about the cafe previously we didn’t really have a plans to visit, it was just that we had arrived in Kyoto quite early and after 2 hours of looking at and taking photos of the early blooming cherry trees decided it was time to move on. As it would happen the cafe was only 10 minutes walk from where we were. With the aid of Google maps we set off through the back streets of Kyoto.
As we arrived there was already a queue though the shop wasn’t due to open for another 40 minutes. As you an see we were number 7 and 8 in the queue with Marc holding our place as I took the photo.
In the end only 10 people were allowed in for the sitting. We were so fortunate to have been there at the right time. Once inside we were seated at traditional Japanese tables and given time to take in the surroundings while our food order was freshly prepared. Every corner of the cafe had something to see – not all of it cat related. Can you spot the unseasonal interloper dressed in red among the photos? The cafe was very relaxed and customers were encouraged to keep noise levels to a minimum so people could read the many books on offer or just enjoy the atmosphere.
We even had time to enjoy some games. I’m not sure Marc really knew what he was doing but at least it was good practice for his Japanese reading skills.
However, the main reason we wanted to visit Kotoba no haoto was for their food, in particular their dessert. And we were certainly not disappointed. All the food is orgamic and the menu on the day of our visit was a beef burger served on a slice of aubergine (eggplant) with a side salad and rice. The Neko Parfait are hand made by the owners and are limited to only 20 per day. With all the intricate work required I’m not surprised. They were so cute looking it was a real shame to eat them but they tasted as good as they looked right down to the white chocolate whiskers.
If you think the parfaits are cute, the little drawings previous customers had made on the comment books left on the tables, were just as cute. As our drawing skills are about the level of a two year old, we decided to just enjoy them.
The cafe is unsurprisingly booked to capacity everyday, with the people behind us in the queue waiting a couple of hours inside for the next sitting. They obviously know it;s worth the wait. We’ll certainly be making a point of returning next time we’re in Kyoto.
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Thanks,
Iain
Adding this to places I`d love to visit some day. So much cuteness I don`t know what to do ^^) that Neko Parfait <3
Thanks! It’s well worth the wait in the queue 🙂
Fascinating…looks a really interesting place to visit, although I don’t think I could have eaten the parfait…too cute!
Oh tell me about it! I really didn’t want to eat it. 😮 But it tasted as good as it looks cute
Reblogged this on Rattiesforeverworldpresscom.
Well I didn’t have the best day today but your post put a big smile back on my face! I love Japan, Kyoto, cats, desserts and all things kawaii. Those hand made desserts are so great to look at. As for red interloper could it be Father Christmas? I also enjoyed looking at the drawings. 😀
It was indeed father christmas haha!
Wow!long line!
Japanese like creating dessert cutely.
Wonderful shop, it was good!
Please come to Japan,again and again?????
We will! Already planning for next year 😉
Do you know here?
http://visithiroshima.net/things_to_do/attractions/museums/manekineko_museum.html
Oh we went to Onomichi! 🙂 I’ve not posted about the path of cats yet but I’ve posted about some of the cats in the area https://katzenworld.co.uk/2015/02/16/cat-travel-cats-of-onomichi-???-part-1/
Unfortunately the museum itself was closed when we went there 🙁
Great set, my friend.
thanks!
What a fantastic place and that parfait is a work of art. I’m glad you arrived at just the right time to make the cut.
Thanks! And yes it was more a piece of art than just a dessert 😀
That looks like quite the place! Would love to go there.
If you go to Japan you should!
The dessert is so cute x
Too cute to eat, almost 😉
I love this. I wish I could visit it in person, but of course that won’t do, because I would want to STAY!!!!
It is difficult to leave Japan in general… 😮
I believe that.
We’ve got two Japanese friends staying over at the moment and it’s actually making me feel home sick to go to Japan? Odd isn’t it lol
Oh I don’t think so; that it’s odd! Sometimes, I feel like that about Kensington Gardens!
Kensington gardens? Now you’ve made me curious as I’ve not been there
I read, when I was very little – Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. When I visited London, and Paddington (where Kensington Gardens) I was shocked. I didn’t realize how well I KNEW IT. Took me awhile to realize it was because of the book! James M. Barrie NAILED Kensington Gardens! Subsequently…. all I have to do is close my eyes and I’m back in the Gardens… Sigh! I want to live there, too!
Now I have to go there and read the description in the book ?
It’s an OLD book and it’s called PETER PAN IN KENSINGTON GARDENS, by James M. Barrie (no Captain Hook to be seen). Barrie named the Serpentine River, the Round Pond, etc. The place just felt like home, and I didn’t realize why until I remembered the book, and reread it, just to be sure!
It’s amazing what a good author can do! And you know you’ve found one when you feel like that visiting a place from the book. 😀
🙂
How very wonderful. My friend lived in Japan for 12 years teaching English. I will have to ask her if she’s ever been there.
Was she near Kyoto? We only found out about this place by chance through a friend.
so nice. i wish i had money to travel. would love to see japan.
Maybe one of those days you can? 😀 It’s well worth going to! 🙂
Reblogged this on ravenhawks' magazine and commented:
Adorable and the parfaits are to cute to eat.:)
Thank you 😀
A purrfect place to visit. The dessert is so cute.
Indeed! 🙂
Inspired by this trip…
https://mappingwonderland.wordpress.com/2016/06/09/kotoba-no-haoto/
My sketches tend to be highly variable, but I enjoyed this 🙂
Completely missed this one!!! That is sooo cute thank you for drawing that. 🙂
Loved this! It’s a bit surprising there weren’t actual cats to play with though, considering the recent boom in popularity of cat cafes.
Hi there! Thanks so much for the comment. 🙂
This place is different as it’s not a cat cafe per say it’s all about being a relaxing place for people that love cats and good food. 😀
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