A Branch of Blue Bottle Coffee in a ‘Machiya’
This old traditional house in Kyoto has been given a new lease of life following the installation of a café within its walls.
© Takumi Ota
On a quiet street not far from Nanzenji temple in Kyoto, Blue Bottle Coffee occupies the two floors of a former machiya, a traditional wooden house that served as a workshop and was home to merchants and artisans, particularly during the Heian era (794-1195). The renovation of this 195-m² building was overseen by architectural firm Schemata Architects, who sought to enhance the wood already present in each room.
The modern ambiance of the café reinforces the elegance of the original structure. The large bay windows create a space that looks out onto a courtyard-cum-terrace, the surface of which is composed of natural stone fragments. Thus the natural, traditional aspect is respected. If the coffee is half as good as the setting, it can only be a success.
More information on Blue Bottle Coffee can be found on its website.
© Takumi Ota
© Takumi Ota
© Takumi Ota
TRENDING
-
The Tradition of the Black Eggs of Mount Hakone
In the volcanic valley of Owakudani, curious looking black eggs with beneficial properties are cooked in the sulphurous waters.
-
The Tattoos that Marked the Criminals of the Edo Period
Traditional tattoos were strong signifiers; murderers had head tattoos, while theft might result in an arm tattoo.
-
Gashadokuro, the Legend of the Starving Skeleton
This mythical creature, with a thirst for blood and revenge, has been a fearsome presence in Japanese popular culture for centuries.
-
‘YUGEN’ at Art Fair Tokyo: Illumination through Obscurity
In this exhibition curated by Tara Londi, eight international artists gave their rendition of the fundamental Japanese aesthetic concept.
-
An Encounter with the Last Shamans in Japan
Sociologist Muriel Jolivet's book offers an analysis combined with a travelogue and interviews with these women with supernatural powers.
