Best Cafés to Study & Work in Kyoto

Every student knows it: another exam season, another day spent trying to revise all your classes. Studying is tough; there is no doubt about that. The nice thing is that it can be done anywhere. Sometimes, a change of scenery is just what you need to help you get through your next study session. Oh, and a cup of great coffee will help, too. This entry will introduce our seven favorite cafés in Kyoto for studying.

PRONTO Shijo Karasuma by JEUGIA: Very Central

PRONTO is a big Japanese cafe and bar chain with outlets nationwide. This cafe is very central, near Kyoto Station and Kyoto Tower. With very fast wifi and a big selection of affordable drinks and food, it is a great place to study. However, you should be aware that it can get rather busy around midday, so avoid coming at this time if you are looking for a quiet place to study.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters: Productive Environment

This coffee chain originates in Portland, Oregon in the USA. Its first and, for now, only location outside of the US is right here in Kyoto. The café is situated in the lobby of the Ace Hotel, in the heart of historic downtown Kyoto. The café is perfect for all coffee lovers with a variety of coffees and a small selection of pastries. With its quiet atmosphere and many power outlets, it is a great place to work or study.

Starbucks Coffee – Kyoto Nishikikoji: Classic for Studying

There is really no need to introduce the arguably most famous coffee chain of all time. But it is a classic for co-working and studying for a reason. This particular location is centrally located and has two floors. The upper floor is a great spot to study. It is a bit quieter up here, and many people use it to work.

Starbucks Coffee – Kyoto Sanjo-Ohashi Bridge: River view

By the Sanjo-Ohashi Bridge, right next to the Kamo River, is another Starbucks location, great for studying. It also has two floors, though in this case, the lower floor is a bit quieter. The free Wi-Fi is fast, and you can enjoy the nice view over the river for a little break between study sessions. For snacks and drinks, you have a big selection, typical of Starbucks.

Caffè Veloce – Karasuma Bukkoji: Many Laptop Spots

Caffé Veloce is Italian and means something like “fast coffee”, which is exactly what you need sometimes to help fuel your study session. The cafe belongs to a Japanese coffee chain. This location is in Kyoto’s Shimogyo ward. The café is very spacious and offers a wide variety of foods. We recommend their sandwiches!

COFFEE MAISON KAYSER – SUINA Muromachi Shop: French Pastries

This coffee shop is right on the first floor of the SUINA Muromachi mall. It belongs to an international chain of bakeries by French baker Eric Kayser. So, this is your chance to taste French pastries in Japan along with your coffee. There is a big table for working and studying with outlets available.

Link Hub: On the University Campus

linkhub@ Kyoto University is a concept introduced in June of 2024 as a common room space for students to come together and connect. It is situated centrally on the campus of Kyoto University inside the International Science Innovation building. Right next to the common area, there is a convenience store. In the Family Mart, you can get all the drinks and snacks to get you through your studying. If you are a student, you can use the university’s wifi.