Discover Kyoto’s top 6 sustainable cafes: a guide to conscious sipping

In the winding alleys of Kyoto, the city’s spiritual soul fuses seamlessly with its bustling commerce, every corner an homage to an artful existence. But look closer, and you’ll find a constellation of cafes that invite you to not just revel in Japan’s rich cultural tapestry, but to also become a steward of its future. These aren’t merely pit stops for caffeine; they are incubators for sustainable living. Crafted around principles that honor the Earth, these establishments offer you more than a cup of coffee.

CORNER MIX (Nijo)

CORNER MIX, a specialized juice bar in Kyoto’s Nijo area, has partnered with Oikaze Inc.’s “Wawawa Design Project for Children” to unveil the MIX BIKE, a pedal-powered, eco-friendly juice blender. This inventive initiative aims to offer a hands-on, sustainable experience for all ages. The bike not only helps you blend your own juice without requiring electricity, but it’s also made from upcycled exercise bikes. With the MIX BIKE, CORNER MIX takes the concept of “mixing” to a new level—encouraging community engagement and raising environmental awareness, while also planning to donate part of its proceeds to local park improvements. (Reference: Life Hugger)

Details for CORNER MIX

Address: 151-0053 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Yoyogi, Chome-50-13-4 (Google map)
Opening hours: 11 am ~ 5:30 pm, Weekend 9 am~, Closed on Wednesday
URL: Instagram

Zero Waste Market Totoya Cafe (Kamigyo)

Kyoto’s Zero Waste Market is revolutionizing the grocery shopping experience by putting sustainability at the forefront. The supermarket features a unique kitchen that turns unsold produce into a variety of dishes sold in its delicatessen section. Additionally, an on-site restaurant serves meals crafted from leftover store produce. Any food waste generated is converted into compost for partner farms. To further minimize waste, the market uses digital scanning instead of traditional business cards and is exploring eco-friendly packaging alternatives, including silicon vacuum packs. With these innovative practices, Zero Waste Market aims to pave the way for larger supermarkets to adopt zero-waste initiatives. Here is an in-depth look at Zero Waste Market Totoya.

Details for Zero Waste Market Totoya

Address: 602-0862 Kyoto, Kamigyo Ward, Demizucho, 252 (Google map)
Opening hours: 11 am ~ 7 pm
URL: Homepage

Veg Out (Shimogyo)

Nestled along Kyoto’s Shichijo-dori street, Veg Out cafe isn’t just another vegan eatery. This Zero Waste-certified cafe is a model for sustainability, starting with its electric composting machine that transforms food scraps into compost. This compost nourishes the Veg Out Garden, whose produce then features on the cafe menu, completing a sustainable loop. Veg Out also sources vegetables from local farmers, reciprocating with compost to improve crop yields. Additionally, the cafe educates its community on reducing plastic use via a self-operated bulk store. Learn more about Veg Out here.

Details for Veg Out

Address: 600-8133 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Inaricho, 448 (Google map)
Opening hours: 9–10:30 AM, 11:30 AM–5:30 PM (Closed on Monday)
URL: Homepage

alt.coffee roasters (Nakagyo)

Kyoto-based alt.coffee roasters isn’t just a specialty coffee shop; it’s a trailblazer in both sustainability and health. Founded in 2019 by trained nutritionist Chihiro Nakamura, the cafe went fully vegan in July, swapping cow’s milk for barista-specific oat milk. The shift was motivated by Nakamura’s growing concern over the health impacts of dairy and the environmental advantages of oat milk, which requires significantly less water to produce than cow’s or almond milk. Initially offered as an option, the oat milk quickly won customer approval for its minimal impact on coffee aroma and flavor. As a brand, alt.coffee epitomizes conviction-driven leadership, continually innovating for ecological responsibility while delivering high-quality coffee experiences. Learn more about alt.coffee roasters here.

Details for alt.coffee roasters

Address: 604-8371, Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Shinsenencho 28-4 (Google map)
Opening hours: 11 am ~ 6 pm
URL: Instagram

Ogawa Coffee Sakaimachi Nishiki Cafe (Nakagyo)

Ogawa Coffee Sakaimachi Nishiki Cafe, established in February 2022, aspires to redefine the coffee culture through ethical practices. The cafe not only offers a cozy ambience but also focuses on sourcing coffee beans that come with JAS and international fair trade certifications. By aligning its brand with responsible sourcing and sustainability, Ogawa aims to create a meaningful impact on the global coffee community. Enjoy their artisanal bites as you sip on ethically brewed coffee, and experience a cafe that marries good taste with good values. Read the interview with Ogawa Coffee here.

Details for Ogawa Coffee Sakaimachi Nishiki Cafe

Address: 604-8127 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Kikuyacho, 519-1 (Google map)
Opening hours: 7 am ~ 8 pm
URL: Homepage

Tu Casa (Higashiyama)

Tu Casa is located near Kyoto’s scenic Kamogawa River and is more than just a facility; it’s a beacon for ethical living and sustainability. Co-founded by Taka and his vegan, zero-waste advocate wife, Mini, Tu Casa features an organic café-bar on the first floor and an ethical guest house upstairs. The cafe employs upcycled materials for its décor and serves carbon-neutral “HEROES COFFEE” alongside locally-sourced, plant-based dishes. Solar panels and Hummingbird Power fortify the building’s energy supply, while a dedicated shopping corner encourages zero-waste shopping by selling grains and ethical items by weight. This multifaceted space is Taka and Mini’s hands-on manifesto for a more sustainable future. Learn more about Tu Casa here.

Details for Tu Casa

Address: 605-0801, Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Miyakawa 8 Chome-414-4 (Google map)
Opening hours: 1 pm ~ 8:30pm (Sunday, Monday), 5 pm ~ 8:30pm (Tuesday, Friday)
URL: Instagram