Kami Tsubaki: Shiseido Parlour Café at Kotohira Shrine

Kami Tsubaki (神椿) is a modern café and restaurant operated by the renowned Shiseido Parlour, offering a welcome respite for pilgrims and visitors at the Kotohira Shrine. Located at the 500th step of the long stone staircase, its main café features floor-to-ceiling glass walls that look out onto a tranquil forest, where small wild birds are often seen.

The main attraction is the dessert menu, particularly the signature Kamitsubaki Parfait, a multi-layered creation that consistently earns praise. Seasonal fruit parfaits, featuring ingredients like fresh peaches or strawberries, are also highly recommended, as are the shaved ice and specialty sodas on hot days. For a light meal, guests speak well of the sandwiches, burger, and a Western-Japanese plate called 'turkey-rice' (トルコライス). While the setting and desserts are loved, some visitors find the prices a bit high for the portion sizes and note that service can occasionally be uneven.

Reviewers in 2024 paid around ¥1,650–¥1,800 for the Kamitsubaki Parfait, with some seasonal versions costing up to ¥2,200. A plate of turkey-rice was about ¥1,480, and a coffee was ¥530. The typical spend for a light lunch or dessert is between ¥1,000 and ¥1,999. Most agree that while it's not a budget stop, the quality of the desserts and the unique, restful atmosphere make it a worthwhile treat after the strenuous climb.

• Getting There: The café is on the 500th step of the main path up to Kotohira Shrine, accessible on foot from Kotohira Station. For those with limited mobility, it can also be reached by car or taxi via a private road that leads to a dedicated parking lot, avoiding most of the stairs.
• Booking: The upstairs café is walk-in only; you may need to queue on busy days. The downstairs restaurant accepts reservations, which are recommended for a full lunch course.
• Payment: Credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners, UnionPay), transportation IC cards (like Suica), other electronic money, and QR code payments (PayPay, Alipay, etc.) are all accepted.
• Seating: The venue has 60 seats in the café and 50 in the restaurant.
• Children: Children are welcome.
• Smoking: The entire establishment is non-smoking.