Walden Woods Kyoto — Restaurant in Kyoto

As two Aussie cafe lovers (coffee snob and chai enthusiast), this was easily our top coffee stop in Japan for more reasons than just the drinks and beautiful interiors. Great coffee and really lovely chai blend, the strawberry canelles were also amazing. Service was above and beyond - even to the point of us stupidly losing our bank card after leaving Walden Woods on route to the markets, when we returned to look for it the staff were amazing. One staff member (Hiro) even offered to walk us to the local police station to make a report and translate for us Luckily the card had been handed in to the police by someone, however we likely would have never recovered it without the help of the Hiro who was so incredibly kind. We were very humbled by his help after only interacting as customers at the cafe. We returned a few days later and again the coffee and service were exceptional. We are so grateful to Hiro and Walden woods for the amazing drinks and exceptionally kind gesture! Would recommend to...

Overrated place, good coffee and nice staff, however, it is often crowded, can be super pretentious vibe with visibly rich/snobish types of pople, or happy young people taking far too many photos (which is distracting if you sip a coffee - we are talking ridiculousness here with phone cameras) of plywood walls and floor or fake tree spray painted in white... (note to self: painted dead white trees are popular here) it is a place to be seen and watch other fashionable people while taking photos of your ice cream or coffee...

I come here for coffee and happy service, but the clientele is often too much, fake beyond fake or just silly; people rent kimonos in nearby shops and are sent here to take photos of themselves with milky sweet coffee drinks etc. (I like people in kimonos, minus sweet drinks)

I like this place when only a few people are here. Avoid on weekends...

Walden Woods Kyoto isn’t just a coffee shop—it’s a peaceful, design-driven retreat in the heart of the city. The atmosphere is minimalist yet rich with character, blending modern calm with vintage charm. What really stands out is their use of a WWII-era German coffee roasting and grinding machine, as well as authentic French military lamps and tableware. These details give the space a quiet depth and a unique sense of story.

The coffee is excellent—smooth, deep, and clearly crafted with care. We especially loved the matcha latte, which had a great balance of richness and subtle bitterness. Their matcha desserts are also a highlight: refined, not overly sweet, and beautifully presented.

If you appreciate thoughtful design, good coffee, and quiet moments, this café is well worth a stop...