During the Marine Day holiday in 2025, we took a leisurely bike ride from Horikawa-Imadegawa all the way to Nishijin. Summer had arrived early that year, and temperatures were running about 7–9°F (4–5°C) above average—every day felt like a scorcher. To avoid heat exhaustion, we ducked out of the sun and finally visited a spot that had been sitting on our Google Maps list for ages: cafe marble Chiekoin.
This charming Kyoto café occupies the first and second floors of a retro building tucked into a quiet residential pocket of Nishijin, right by Kyoto’s historic textile district. It’s far removed from tourist crowds, with on-site parking out front (a real plus if you’re traveling by car) and the leafy Tachibana Park just next door. Stepping inside, you’re greeted by sunlight pouring through large windows, a long open counter, whimsical hand-drawn bird illustrations, and greenery throughout the space. It’s the kind of place that makes you exhale and slow down.
The heat started to fade the moment we settled in.
A Multi-Level Café Designed by Kyoto Creatives
cafe marble is a beloved local café brand run by Kyoto-based design firm Marble.co. Originally focused on graphic design, illustration, and video production, the studio has worked with heritage brands and public institutions across Kyoto.
They opened their first cafe marble on Bukkoji Street in 2007, blending a workspace with a café. In 2012, they launched a second location in Nishijin—cafe marble Chiekoin—bringing design, food, family-friendly details, curated goods, and creativity under one roof. It’s also one of the few Kyoto cafés with parking—a rare perk in the city.
The idea here goes beyond coffee. The space was built as a base for creative exchange and slow, intentional living.
About Marble.co — The studio began as an online T-shirt workshop and gradually expanded into branding, web, and interior design. Their clients range from century-old Kyoto shops to schools and civic projects.
Rather than keeping creativity locked behind screens, Marble.co chose to anchor their work in a café, allowing daily interactions to spark new ideas. Everything—from menu design to desserts and exhibit visuals—is created in-house by their team.
The company culture is playful but serious about food: staff receive meal stipends, even for dining out during work hours.
“We really care about good food. When you eat something delicious, your mood naturally lifts,” says the founder.
Every Tuesday is “Fish Day,” when fresh seafood arrives from ports in northern Kyoto for staff to share sashimi platters. Sometimes the café kitchen even turns it into staff-only comfort meals.
Their year-end “Crab Party” is also a thing—piles of crab, fresh juice, and quirky visuals designed in-house. This mix of work, food, and creativity has made Marble.co one of the most loved teams in Kyoto’s creative scene.
A Space Where Every Floor Feels Like Home
The Marble BLDG., home to cafe marble Chiekoin, is a five-story building (four above ground, one below), and every level has its own character and purpose:
Basement (B1) houses the café’s roasting room and dessert kitchen. The beans are roasted in collaboration with DRIP & DROP COFFEE SUPPLY—whose baristas have even competed in national coffee championships. The basement is also where the Cookie Factory bakes its signature cookies and tarts, and the buttery aroma seems to travel upstairs.
First and second floors are the café. The first floor features high ceilings, an open bar counter, and window-side seating. Upstairs feels more like a relaxed co-working lounge, with mismatched chairs and even a small play tent corner by the windows—handy for families with kids.
Third floor is the select shop “+S”, which rotates themed pop-ups and collaborations. You’ll find seasonal goods, limited-edition items, and handmade pieces by designers and artisans from Kyoto and the Kansai region, often produced in small batches.
Fourth floor is home to Marble.co’s design studio, where cafe marble’s branding, packaging, and visual identity are created.
cafe marble Chiekoin Menu (Exclusive Items)
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetable Quiche (V) | Homemade with root vegetables and two types of cheese | ¥850 |
| Daily Quiche | Seasonal vegetables with rotating ingredients | ¥950 |
| Dill-Infused Vegetable Salad | Served in a light vegetable broth with dressing and wheatberry salad (+¥100 for bread) | ¥950 |
| Chicken & Lentil Curry | Richly spiced curry with lentils and chicken, served with salad | ¥1,100 |
| Mixed Rice Risotto | Flavor combinations vary daily; served with salad | ¥1,100 |
| Asparagus & Pea Lemon Cream Pasta | Fresh green vegetables in a light lemon cream sauce, served with salad | ¥1,350 |
| Kids Plate | Tomato meat sauce pasta, side dish, dessert, and drink | ¥800 |
(V) = Vegetarian. Please ask staff about specific dietary requirements.
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nut Tart | Walnuts, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and pistachios with caramel cream | ¥700 |
| Banana Raspberry Tart | Sweet bananas paired with tart raspberries | ¥700 |
| Caramel Apple Tart | +¥150 for ice cream | ¥750 |
| Seasonal Fruit Tart | Fresh fruit with custard filling | ¥800 |
| Daily Tart | Please ask for today’s special | ¥700 |
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pudding | For dine-in only | ¥600 |
| Scone | Served with homemade jam and fresh cream | ¥800 |
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee | Original house blend | ¥600 |
| Latte | Hot or iced | ¥650 |
| Earl Grey Tea | Hot or iced | ¥600 |
| Chai | Optional spiced rum +¥50 | ¥750 |
| Herbal Tea | Black tea, cinnamon, and mint blend | ¥700 |
| Original Herbal Fruit Tea | Mild, fruity house blend | ¥700 |
| Hojicha Latte | Roasted green tea latte | ¥800 |
| Matcha Latte | Traditional Japanese green tea | ¥800 |
| Raspberry Soda | House-made | ¥800 |
| Lemon Sparkling Drink | House-made | ¥750 |
| Cocoa | Hot or iced | ¥750 |
| Orange Juice | ¥550 | |
| Apple Juice | ¥550 | |
| Kids Drink | Small juice (kids size) | ¥300 |
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Original Beer (Turquoise) | Craft beer by Bighand Bros. | ¥1,100 |
| Wine (Red / White) | Available by the glass or carafe (small pitcher) | ¥700 / ¥1,700 |
| House-made Sangria | Red or white | ¥850 |
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mini Soup | Daily soup, small portion | ¥380 |
| Pickled Vegetables | House-made | ¥500 |
| Carrot Salad | ¥500 | |
| Snack Platter | Carrot salad with a daily selection of small bites | ¥1,250 |
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Herbal Sparkling Drink | Non-alcoholic; mint berry, mint citrus, or mint grape | ¥700 |
| Frozen Fromage Sandwich | Weekend special: French cream cheese with pound cake and jam | ¥820 |
Coffee, Quiche & Caramel Apple Tart: Must-Try Picks
The food easily lives up to the setting.
We had a hot Americano, an iced latte, and the signature caramel apple tart. The Americano was smooth and mellow, with no harsh bitterness, while the iced latte struck a clean balance between espresso and milk. The tart came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream; its almond filling carried a gentle nuttiness, topped with generous layers of cinnamon-caramelized apples—sweet, fragrant, and deeply satisfying.
The dessert selection is impressively broad. Alongside the apple tart, you’ll find the seasonal fruit tart, nut tart, banana raspberry tart, scones, and their much-loved Showa-style pudding (a firm, retro Japanese custard with bittersweet caramel). It’s a nostalgic classic with real depth.
The drink menu is just as appealing. Beyond coffee, the house-made chai is a favorite, and seasonal jam sodas are prepared using fruit preserves made in-house.
If you stop by around lunchtime, it’s not just about sweets. The café also serves freshly baked French-style quiche, homestyle curry, risotto, and pasta. Whether you want a full meal or something light, there’s plenty to choose from. Families will also appreciate the thoughtful kid-friendly menu, including a dedicated children’s plate.
They also sell house-baked cookies in beautifully designed tins, which are especially popular as Kyoto souvenirs to take home. One standout is the Yoru Cookie Tin, a nighttime-inspired assortment made exclusively for the Chiekoin location. Designed in-house by the Marble.co team, the tin features a twilight motif that reflects the café’s distinct visual style.
Cookie flavors rotate by season and theme, often leaning toward more grown-up profiles—savory, spiced, cheesy, nutty, or chocolate-forward. Expect combinations like lemon rosemary, cocoa and pepper, green olive, or vanilla nut, all made with layered aromas and locally sourced Kyoto ingredients. They’re ideal for sharing, small gatherings, or a quiet night in, and the packaging alone makes them gift-worthy.
Around Father’s Day or other seasonal occasions, the café sometimes releases collaboration sets with local breweries such as Bighand Bros. Beer, pairing the Yoru Cookie Tin with craft beer—a playful, limited-style pairing for beer lovers.
Kid-Friendly Meals & Free Baby Food: A Calm, Family-Friendly Café in Kyoto
cafe marble Chiekoin is one of the few genuinely family-friendly cafés in Kyoto. Alongside a dedicated kids’ plate and children’s drinks, the café also offers complimentary baby food—such as pumpkin risotto—for babies from around 9 months old. It can be served with or without cheese upon request, making it both flexible and practical for parents.
To make dining with children easier, the café provides child-sized utensils, high chairs, and a small play area where kids can move around safely while adults eat. For families with infants, there’s hot water for formula, reheating support for baby food, and a dedicated diaper-changing area with proper disposal bins—details that make a real difference when you’re out with a baby.
On weekends, the second floor is set aside as a play zone. Children can roam and play freely, while parents sit nearby and enjoy a quiet coffee moment.
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin Risotto with Mixed Vegetables |
Recommended age: from around 9 months old (post-weaning) Ingredients: white rice, pumpkin, carrot, cauliflower, cabbage, onion, bonito broth (fish-based stock), parmesan cheese |
Complimentary |
Bukkoji vs. Chiekoin: Two Distinct Café Moods
cafe marble has two locations in Kyoto, each with a distinct atmosphere. The Bukkoji location sits close to the city center, making it well suited for a short break while exploring central Kyoto. The Chiekoin location, by contrast, is tucked into a quiet Nishijin neighborhood near Seimei Shrine, ideal for visitors who prefer a slower pace and fewer crowds.
| Location | Opened | Atmosphere | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bukkoji | 2007 | Renovated 120-year-old Kyomachiya townhouse with a quiet, calming atmosphere | Solo coffee time, reading, casual dates |
| Chiekoin | 2012 | Four-story multipurpose space with family-friendly amenities and comfortable seating | Families, group lunches, casual meetups |
Shop Info｜cafe marble Chiekoin
| Shop Details｜cafe marble Chiekoin | |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-519 Sasayacho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto (Marble BLDG.) |
| Phone | 075-451-8777 |
| Opening Hours |
Daily｜11:30 AM – 8:00 PM (Last order 7:30 PM) Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (Open on public holidays) ※ For the latest updates, please check their official Instagram |
| Access | 3-minute walk from Imadegawa Jofukuji bus stop (Kyoto City Bus #201), in the Nishijin area |
| Official Website | https://www.cafe-marble.com |
| Payment | Cash, major credit cards, and select electronic payments |
| Parking & Perks |
Four on-site car parking spaces and bicycle racks are available. If on-site parking is full, nearby partnered coin parking lots can be used. Present your parking receipt at checkout to receive a partial discount: ・Spend ¥3,000 or more → ¥300 off ・Ask staff for partnered parking locations ・Please remember to request a receipt; it will be collected at checkout |
Nearby Attractions｜Around cafe marble Chiekoin
If you’re visiting cafe marble Chiekoin, it’s worth setting aside time to explore the surrounding Nishijin district, an area known for its calm streets and deep cultural roots. Within a comfortable 15-minute walk, you’ll find several low-key sights that are easy to explore at a relaxed pace—whether you’re traveling solo or with children.
- Seimei Shrine (5-minute walk) — Dedicated to Abe no Seimei, a legendary onmyoji (a Heian-period yin-yang master). The shrine offers free entry and a quiet glimpse into Kyoto’s spiritual history.
- Nishijin Textile Center (6-minute walk) — Learn about Kyoto’s famous Nishijin weaving tradition. Visitors can watch short kimono demonstrations or try basic weaving experiences.
- Shiramine Shrine (12-minute walk) — Known for blessings related to sports and physical strength, this peaceful shrine is ideal for a quiet stroll.
- Orinasu-kan Handweaving Museum (8-minute walk) — A small, hands-on museum focused on textile crafts, especially suitable for families and travelers interested in making things themselves.
- Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (15-minute walk) — One of Kyoto’s best-known sites for plum and cherry blossoms. Dedicated to the god of scholarship, it’s worth visiting in any season.
- Kamishichiken (15-minute walk) — Kyoto’s oldest geisha district, with narrow lanes and traditional machiya houses that preserve an old-town atmosphere.
For an easy half-day walking route, start at cafe marble and head north along Chiekoin Street. From there, stop by Seimei Shrine and the Nishijin Textile Center, then continue toward Kamishichiken or Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. In spring and autumn, cherry blossoms or fall foliage add an extra layer of seasonal color, turning a simple coffee outing into a gentle walk through Kyoto’s quieter side.