Tabelog ratingIkiteiru Coffee (生きている珈琲) is a coffee-lover's kissaten, a retro-style basement café in Kyoto dedicated to the craft of hand-drip coffee. The focus here is on an unusually large roster of single-origin beans, which guests can select from a clear taste-profile chart that maps out flavours from light and acidic to deep and bitter. The knowledgeable baristas then prepare each cup as a careful pour-over, a process that brings out the clarity and depth of the beans.
Guests consistently praise the quality of the coffee, with varieties like Kenya, Guatemala, and the deep-roasted 極深キリマンジャロ earning frequent mentions. The signature desserts are also a major draw, often paired with specific beans. Reviewers recently paid ¥550 for the popular omurette (a light sponge cake with cream), ¥550 for the fondant chocolat, and ¥950 for the coffee float made with soft-serve ice cream. The comfortable seating, especially for solo visitors, and the availability of power outlets make it a relaxing place to settle in.
The most common point of criticism is the imperfectly sealed smoking room; non-smokers regularly note that the smell of tobacco can drift into the main seating area. A few visitors have mentioned brusque service on rare occasions or found some of the sweets to be merely ordinary. While most coffees are priced around ¥800–¥900, speciality beans like kopi luwak can feel expensive at around ¥2,000.
For those who prioritize carefully sourced and skillfully prepared single-origin coffee, Ikiteiru Coffee offers good value. A typical visit costs between ¥1,000 and ¥2,000. Reviewers recently paid around ¥800 for the house Blend 赤 and ¥850 for a cup of the 極深キリマンジャロ.
- Location: In the basement (B1F) of the Minoya Shijo Building in Shimogyo, Kyoto. It's a 5-minute walk from Shijo Station on the Karasuma Line or Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line.
- Reservations: Walk-ins are welcome. Reservations are accepted on weekdays only. The café is often busy on weekends, when there may be a short wait and a one-hour seating limit during peak times.
- Payment: Credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, Amex, Diners), transportation IC cards (like Suica), and QR code payments (PayPay, Rakuten Pay, etc.) are all accepted.
- Seating: There are 50 seats, including counter seating, sofas, and three small private rooms for two people.
- Smoking: A designated smoking area is available. However, be aware that smoke may be noticeable in the non-smoking section.
- Amenities: Free Wi-Fi and power outlets are available at some seats. English menus are provided.
