Hello there! I recently went to Kissaten Soirée, a long-standing traditional café in Kyoto’s Shimogyo district, to try the much-talked-about colorful dessert known as the jelly fruit punch. It’s frequently featured in travel magazines and all-over social media for its photogenic, other-worldly look. In this article I’ll cover what the café is like, the menu (and prices), how busy it gets, and how to get there — everything you need if you’re planning to stop by while sightseeing in Kyoto.
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Quick Facts (Practical Info) • Access : Kyoto Kawaramachi Station – Exit 1A, about a 1-minute walk. Gion-Shijo Station – Exits 4/5, about 3 minutes on foot.Opening Hours : Weekdays 13:00–19:00, weekends 13:00–19:30.Closed : Mondays.Official site : Here Address : 95 Shinmachi, Shijo-agaru, Nishikiyamachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto.
Getting around Kyoto is easy with a one-day travel pass.
Klook.com What Is “Kissaten Soirée”? Kissaten Soirée is a classic “kissaten” (traditional Japanese coffee house) founded just after World War II in 1948 (Showa 23). Located right in the center of the city, the café’s retro, dreamy atmosphere and wildly colorful desserts have made it a firm favorite with both locals and visitors from overseas.
A Quick Glossary for Non-Japanese Readers: Kissaten — a style of Japanese café that dates back to the early 20th century. Expect slower service, nostalgic décor and carefully brewed coffee.
Stepping Inside Step through the door and you’ll feel like you’ve slipped back in time. The interior is deliberately dim, lit mainly with blue-toned light that gives everything a slightly surreal, cinematic feel . There’s no background music , so the quiet and the sense of being slightly apart from the city outside is part of the charm.
Seating Layout Soirée has two floors. The ground floor features a counter and some small tables ; the first floor is more for groups, with larger tables. The seats by the windows are especially popular — you can watch people along Shijo Street while sipping a drink.
A Little History and the Art on the Walls The café’s name, “Soirée”, is French for “evening gathering” — the founder intended the place to be a salon for art lovers. True to that idea, the walls display works by notable Japanese painters of the Showa era such as Togo Seiji and Koiso Ryohei. It’s part café, part mini art gallery — a peaceful spot to soak up a bit of culture.
The Must-Try: The Jelly Fruit Punch (ゼリーポンチ) If there’s one thing Soirée is famous for, it’s the Jelly Fruit Punch (ゼリーポンチ). In a tall clear glass, dozens of colorful jelly cubes are piled together — under the café’s blue lighting they look utterly magical, and it’s a guaranteed photo magnet.
Other menu highlights include cream sodas (in different colors), yoghurt punch, jelly milk and basic food items such as toast.
Sample Menu & Prices (At Time of Visit) • Yoghurt Punch — ¥900
Note: seasonal items and prices may change — check the menu when you visit.
Tasting Notes: Is It Any Good? The glass is absolutely packed with jelly ; it’s playful and fun to look at. The jelly is mixed with a slightly fizzy soda rather than a heavy syrup, so the overall mouthfeel is lightly carbonated and mildly sweet. There’s no strong syrupy glaze — sweetness is restrained, making the dessert refreshing rather than cloying. If you don’t have a big sweet tooth, you’ll likely enjoy it.
Tip for photos: the café’s low, blue lighting makes the colors pop — use a camera or phone and avoid heavy flash to keep that dreamy effect.
How Busy Is It? What About Waiting Times? I visited on a weekday around 15:00. There was already a queue of over ten people, and the wait was about 30 minutes. Soirée is very popular, but because it has two floors and decent turnover, the line usually moves fairly quickly.
Expect longer waits on weekends and during peak tourist seasons. If you can, aim for weekdays or arrive right at opening to avoid the longest queues.
Fancy matching Soirée retro vibe? You’ll fall with the vibe too.
あわせて読みたい Where to eat Nishin Soba in Kyoto: Discover the historic Matsuba in Gion Hi, there! If you’re after a bite of Kyoto’s local comfort food, try nishin-soba — soba topped with sweet, braised herring. I visited the long-runn… Final Thoughts Kissaten Soirée is a delightful detour from the usual temple-and-shrine itinerary — a nostalgic, slightly surreal café experience with one of Kyoto’s most Instagram able desserts. Even on a weekday it can draw a line, so come prepared for a short wait. If you want a relaxing, visually striking café stop during a day of sightseeing, Soirée is well worth it.
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