Travel Guide: Actual Kyoto

In this latest issue of Gateway: Travel Guide, we invite you to discover a hidden gem in Kyoto's cafe scene: Actual Kyoto.

Located just a five-minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto Line’s Omiya Station, Actual Kyoto is a cafe that may be a bit of a hidden gem, tucked alongside the Randen train tracks. Despite its subtle entrance, finding your way in is part of the experience. The understated exterior leads you into a carefully designed space that balances natural elements with a modern touch.

Actual’s interior design features a fusion of minimalist elegance and organic textures, focusing on a mix of wood and stone that creates a calm, grounded atmosphere. A concrete bench outside overlooks the passing Randen trains, providing a peaceful place to sit before or after your visit.

Once inside, the layout continues this thoughtful approach. A large, raw stone serves as a standing table in the center of the room, its organic shape contrasting with the clean lines of a long metal table that runs toward the open kitchen. The kitchen area itself is set against a striking stone wall, giving a subtle but eye-catching accent to the space.

Seating is scattered with purpose—concrete benches under the stairs and a small platform upstairs offer views over the tracks, giving the cafe a sense of flow and quiet observation. Small artistic details are placed throughout, from a tulip stem in a door frame to broken marble repurposed as a small table, each adding to the cafe’s unique character without overwhelming the minimalist feel.

But beyond the decor, Actual Kyoto is all about the craft of coffee. Specializing in carefully brewed pour-over coffee, Actual offers a selection of South American and African blends. Alongside the coffee, there are espresso-based options, cold brew, matcha lattes, and even a homemade spiced cola for something different. Dessert is equally thoughtful, with a rotating menu of sweets, though the Basque cheesecake is a standout.

Simple yet refined, Actual Kyoto is a space that prioritizes both design and quality coffee, making it well worth a visit for those in search of a quiet, well-crafted cafe experience in Kyoto.

All images are sourced from Actual Kyoto.