Now only seasoned coffee enthusiasts remember the café Aoi: this establishment, which opened back in 2014, was one of Kyoto’s first specialty coffee spots. Aoi closed four years later, but shortly before that, its founder, Yoshihisa Kioi—a DJ and coffee lover—launched a “daughter” project, inheriting Aoi’s coffee roasting equipment.

Following a complete rebrand, the new café opened as Coffee Base KANONDO. “Coffee Base” is the company’s brand, while “KANONDO” refers to the café’s location. It occupies a prime spot in downtown Kyoto, on a small street near the intersection of the bustling Fourth Avenue and Karasuma Street, the city’s financial hub. The design theme is trendy minimalism, seen everywhere from the logo (a simple white circle painted with a brush) to the café’s interior, nestled on a landing between two staircases in an office building, between the second and third floors. True to its minimalist approach, there are no tables; guests have simple stools to sit and mindfully enjoy an outstanding cup of coffee.

Despite its compact size, the café embodies the specialty spirit. Guests can select beans for espresso or pour-over using a unique “aroma wheel,” which indicates roast level, richness, and fruitiness. They also offer a 飲み比べ (nomikurabe) tasting set.

Beans are roasted on Japanese equipment that uses hot air circulation without direct contact with the container walls, ensuring an even roast. Both beans and coffee can be ordered for delivery via Uber Eats.