Whenever I head to Kyoto Kawaramachi to run errands or go shopping, I tend to follow the same familiar route almost automatically. Once I’m done, my routine usually leads me through Teramachi-dori and Shinkyogoku Shopping Street, Kyoto’s busiest shopping arcades, then on to Kyoto Yaoichi Honkan, a historic gourmet food hall, before ending at Shinpuhkan, a renovated red-brick complex filled with shops and cafés.
Whether it’s for a meal, a casual browse, or just to get some steps in, this familiar loop easily adds up to 8,000 steps. Yet every time I pass the first floor of Shinpuhkan, where Stumptown Coffee Roasters is located, I always seem to walk right past it without ever stepping inside.
That finally changed on a sweltering afternoon in late August, when I decided on a whim to step into the café I had passed countless times but never once entered.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters keeps a low profile, with an English sign mounted at an angle on the wall facing the Shinpuhkan courtyard. I originally planned to find a seat inside, but once I stepped in, I realized the space was smaller than expected, with mostly counter-style seating along the wall and high stools—more of a grab-and-go, quick-stop kind of setup. After a quick look around, it suddenly dawned on me: You can also bring your coffee and pastries over to the Ace Hotel lobby next door.
That day I ordered an oat milk latte, an Americano, and a raisin pastry. The coffee was smooth, the pastry was crisp and flaky with a buttery finish, and the soft background music set the perfect tone for slowing down. The atmosphere felt somewhere between a hotel lounge and a café—casual, but undeniably stylish.
To be honest, I’ve never been a fan of drinking coffee in hotel lobbies—they usually feel too formal, with a businesslike atmosphere that makes me uneasy. But the Ace Hotel Kyoto lobby completely overturned that impression. It’s a tall, open space brimming with design character. Kyoto cedar, hammered copper, oxidized iron, and precast concrete come together in a distinctive blend of organic warmth and industrial edge. Contemporary artworks from Japan and the U.S. West Coast line the walls, while the sofa seating by the windows practically invites you to sink in and linger.
What stands out most are the arched windows and thick brick walls preserved from the historic Former Kyoto Central Telephone Office, which now frame bright, sunlit corners that feel welcoming rather than imposing. The lobby and café feel like one continuous space, and the modern geometric façade echoes the rhythm of traditional machiya townhouses—bringing fresh energy to a historic landmark. Whether you’re a guest of the Ace Hotel Kyoto or simply passing through Shinpuhkan, it’s easy to feel at home.
Beyond the sofa lounge, there’s also a large communal table—perfect for anyone who wants to open a laptop and get some work done. With outlets built into the table, it’s common to see people fully focused on their keyboards. For me, it became more than a casual rest stop; it turned into a comfortable little workspace where I could actually settle in.
Stumptown Coffee Kyoto: A Third-Wave Pioneer in Shinpuhkan
Sitting in the sofa lounge at Stumptown Coffee, latte in hand, watching travelers come and go, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this café was somehow different. Curious, I pulled out my phone for a quick Google search. Sure enough, Stumptown Coffee Roasters turned out to be anything but an ordinary coffee shop.
Stumptown Coffee was founded in 1999 by coffee enthusiast Duane Sorenson in Portland, Oregon. The name “Stumptown” comes from Portland’s long-standing nickname: in the 19th century, rapid urban growth and heavy logging left the city scattered with tree stumps, earning it the moniker “Stumptown.” The brand name reflects both its local roots and its dedication to origin, craft, and transparency—values that helped position it as a true pioneer of the third-wave coffee movement.
For Stumptown Coffee, coffee isn’t just a pick-me-up; it’s treated more like wine, with close attention paid to terroir, processing, and roasting. Its hallmark approach is Direct Trade—working directly with farmers to eliminate middlemen, ensure transparency, and guarantee fair compensation.
Because of this philosophy, Stumptown is often mentioned alongside Blue Bottle and Intelligentsia as one of the “big three” in the third-wave coffee movement. Among its offerings, one blend has become almost synonymous with the brand: Hair Bender.
The name Hair Bender has an unusual backstory. Stumptown’s first roasting machine was set up in an old barbershop called “Hair Bender.” The blend was named after it. Known for its tasting notes of dark chocolate, cherry, toffee, and citrus, it remains a foundation for countless espresso-based drinks.
What’s particularly interesting is that when Stumptown Coffee first expanded overseas, it didn’t choose Tokyo or Seoul. Instead, it planted its roots in Kyoto—a city celebrated for its traditional craftsmanship and refined way of life. In many ways, Kyoto’s ethos mirrors Stumptown’s own approach to coffee.
What Is Third-Wave Coffee?
Third-wave coffee is a specialty coffee movement that emphasizes “from seed to cup”. It focuses on a coffee bean’s origin, processing, roasting, and brewing, treating coffee as an artisanal product rather than just a caffeine fix.
Put simply, coffee culture has unfolded in three major waves:
- First Wave: Mass production, accessibility, and convenience. Instant coffee and canned coffee became widely available, making coffee an everyday essential for millions.
- Second Wave: The rise of branding and lifestyle. Starbucks is the quintessential example—cafés became lifestyle destinations where lattes and cappuccinos flourished, even if bean origin and quality weren’t the main focus.
- Third Wave: Precision, craft, and quality. Coffee began to be recognized as a specialty crop. Baristas became like winemakers, highlighting origin, flavor, roasting, and brewing. Hallmarks include single-origin beans, Direct Trade, pour-over, and AeroPress methods—all designed to showcase unique flavor profiles in every cup.
So when we talk about third-wave coffee, it’s about understanding where your coffee comes from and why it tastes the way it does. And Stumptown Coffee Roasters is one of the trailblazers that helped bring this movement into the mainstream.
Kyoto Coffee Culture × Stumptown
Kyoto, often regarded as the coffee capital of Japan, boasts an astonishing density of cafés. From retro landmarks like INODA COFFEE and cultural salons such as Salon de thé FRANÇOIS (フランソア喫茶室), to century-old townhouses like Sweets Cafe KYOTO KEIZO and historic Western-style spaces like Gospel Cafe, as well as sleek contemporary brands like % Arabica, each café—old or new—has its own loyal following. Perhaps that’s why Stumptown Coffee didn’t choose the fast-paced bustle of Tokyo, but instead established itself in Kyoto, a city where life moves at a gentler pace and small details are celebrated.
What makes this location even more distinctive is that the shop sits on the first floor of Ace Hotel Kyoto. The hotel itself is housed within Shinpuhkan, whose core is the historic Former Kyoto Central Telephone Office, designed in 1926 by architect Tetsuro Yoshida. This iconic red-brick Taisho-era building symbolized Kyoto’s early modernization, with its brick façade and arched windows once serving as a landmark along Karasuma-dori, bearing witness to the city’s transformation from the Showa and Heisei eras into Reiwa.
Today, the building’s adaptive reuse was overseen by Kengo Kuma & Associates, with interiors by Los Angeles–based Commune Design. The team carefully “stitched” old and new together, preserving the building’s historic character while infusing it with contemporary design. Kuma introduced the concept of “streets weaving through architecture”, creating two pedestrian passages that link the old and new wings. The result is architecture that extends city streets rather than closing them off. This idea echoes the traditional tōriniwa (passage courtyard) found in Kyoto’s machiya townhouses, while embodying the Ace Hotel vision of a “public living room” for the city.
The design theme—“a dense garden of past and present”—breathes new life into the nearly 100-year-old red-brick landmark, blending a global design language with local materials and narratives. Within this atmosphere, Stumptown Coffee has become a relaxed yet stylish corner for locals and travelers alike.
Stumptown Coffee Menu｜Specialty Coffee & Fresh Pastry Experience
While the official menu at Stumptown Coffee Kyoto focuses on coffee, tea, and soft-serve ice cream, guests can also enjoy freshly baked pastries. These pastries don’t appear on the permanent menu; instead, they’re baked fresh daily by the Ace Hotel’s in-house pastry team. You’ll often find daily options like croissants or donuts, along with seasonal specialties such as the Yuzu Donut or limited-time Strawberry Donut. Co-created by the Ace Hotel chefs and Stumptown, these pairings elevate the Kyoto café experience—a big part of why regulars return time and again.
| Stumptown Coffee Kyoto Menu | ||
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal Special | Summer Mojito (Non-Alcoholic / サマーモヒート・ノンアルコール) Tonic water, watermelon, lime, cane sugar, mint, and a pinch of salt. Refreshing, lightly tart, and minty—ideal for Kyoto’s hot summer weather. |
¥750 |
| Brewed Coffee | Batch Brew | House Blend Coffee (ブレンド) | ¥500 |
| Batch Brew Refill (リフィル) | ¥250 | |
| Cold Brew | Cold Brew (コールドブリュー) | ¥600 |
| Cold Brew Refill (リフィル) | ¥250 | |
| Nitro Cold Brew (ナイトロコールドブリュー) | ¥700 | |
| Espresso Drinks | Espresso (エスプレッソ) | ¥450 |
| Americano Hot/Iced (アメリカーノ) | ¥550 | |
| Macchiato (マキアート) | ¥550 | |
| Cortado (コルタード) Espresso with equal parts steamed milk. Smooth, balanced, with a clear espresso flavor. |
¥580 | |
| Cappuccino (カプチーノ) | ¥600 | |
| Latte Hot/Iced (ラテ) | ¥650 | |
| Mocha Hot/Iced (モカ) | ¥750 | |
| Espresso Tonic (エスプレッソトニック) Espresso + tonic water + ice. Think of it as a coffee lover’s take on a gin & tonic. |
¥650 | |
| Add-ons | Oat Milk (オーツミルク) | +¥50 |
| Decaf (デカフェ) | +¥50 | |
| Extra Shot (ショット追加) | +¥150 | |
| Flavor Syrup – Vanilla or Caramel (バニラ / キャラメル) | +¥100 | |
| Matcha | Matcha Latte Hot/Iced (抹茶ラテ) | ¥800 |
| Chocolate Drinks | Hot Chocolate (ホットチョコレート) | ¥680 |
| Iced Chocolate (アイスチョコレート) | ¥680 | |
| Tea | Japanese Black Tea (Benifuuki) Hot/Iced (和紅茶べにふうき) | ¥650 |
| Flower Tea Hot Only (フラワーティー) A soothing blend of dried apple and rose petals. Lightly floral, naturally sweet, and smooth on the palate. |
¥750 | |
| Kids Drinks | Kids Chocolate Hot/Iced (キッズチョコレート) | ¥550 |
| Babyccino (ベビーチーノ) Steamed milk foam, caffeine-free. Light, frothy, and kid-friendly. |
¥350 | |
| Milk Hot/Iced (ミルク) | ¥350 | |
| Soft Serve Ice Cream | Cold Brew Soft Serve Cup/Cone (コールドブリューソフト) | ¥700 |
| Milk Soft Serve Cup/Cone (ミルクソフト) | ¥600 | |
| Half & Half Soft Serve Cup/Cone (ミックスソフト) | ¥700 | |
| Seasonal Syrup Soft Serve Cup Only (シーズナルシロップソフト) | ¥700 | |
| Espresso Affogato (エスプレッソアフォガート) Vanilla ice cream + espresso. A classic contrast of hot and cold, bitter and sweet. Matcha Affogato (抹茶アフォガート) Vanilla ice cream topped with rich matcha. Earthy green tea balanced by creamy sweetness. |
¥700 / ¥800 | |
Stumptown Coffee Kyoto: Must-Drink & Must-Eat Picks
At the Stumptown Coffee Kyoto location, it’s not just about the coffee—there are a handful of drinks and pastries that regulars consistently return for.
Must-Try Coffees
- Hair Bender Blend: The signature base for espressos, lattes, and Americanos, with tasting notes of dark chocolate, cherry, toffee, and citrus—widely regarded as a classic among coffee lovers.
- Oat Milk Latte: A smooth balance of rich espresso and the natural sweetness of oat milk—one of the most popular orders at the Kyoto location.
- Cold Brew: Clean, crisp, and bright with refreshing acidity—an absolute favorite during Kyoto’s humid summers.
- Seasonal Specials: Occasionally featuring creative drinks infused with yuzu or Kyoto-style black shichimi spice—a playful, Kyoto-only twist you won’t find at other locations.
Must-Try Pastries & Treats
- Yuzu Donut: Bright and citrusy with a refreshing sweetness—frequently praised in online reviews.
- Raisin Pastry: The one I sampled on my visit—crispy on the outside, generously filled with sweet raisins, and a perfect match with a latte.
- Croissant: Delicately flaky, richly buttery, and wonderfully aromatic—a perennial favorite among visitors.
- Black Shichimi Cookie: Infused with Kyoto’s iconic black shichimi spice blend—sweet with a subtle kick of heat that lingers pleasantly on the palate.
- Occasional Savories: Savory options occasionally appear as well, including croissant sandwiches and a lesser-known favorite: the Kujo Scallion & Whitebait Egg Sandwich.
After reading all this, I quietly made my own “next-visit list”: in summer, a cold brew paired with a yuzu donut; in winter, perhaps a gingerbread latte with a black shichimi cookie. It feels like I’ve already planned my next few afternoons here in Kyoto.
Stumptown Coffee Kyoto at Ace Hotel | Shop Information
| Stumptown Coffee Kyoto | |
|---|---|
| Address | 1F Ace Hotel Kyoto, 245-2 Kurumayacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Subway | Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line / Tozai Line → Karasuma Oike Station, Exit 6 (or South Exit). The exit connects directly to Shinpuhkan’s basement level. |
| Bus | Get off at the Karasuma Oike bus stop, then walk a few minutes to reach Shinpuhkan. |
| Phone | +81-75-229-9000 (Note: Phone inquiries are likely handled in Japanese only.) |
| Hours | Daily 07:00 – 19:00 Tip: Stumptown opens as early as 7 AM—ideal for travelers picking up breakfast to go. The Ace Hotel lobby’s long table and sofa seating are especially inviting in the morning light, offering a serene way to ease into Kyoto as the city wakes up. |
| Official Website | Stumptown Coffee Roasters Kyoto – Ace Hotel |
| Reservations | Dine-in and takeout are available. Reservations are not accepted. |
| Payment |
Credit Cards: VISA, MasterCard, JCB, AMEX, Diners E-money: Suica, ICOCA, Rakuten Edy, iD, QUICPay, etc. QR Code Payments: Not supported Cash: Accepted |
| Other Info |
Most staff can communicate in both English and Japanese. Shinpuhkan and Ace Hotel are popular hubs for Kyoto’s coffee, design, and art communities, regularly hosting exhibitions and small markets. |
Conclusion: One Cup of Coffee, One Kyoto
For me, the Stumptown Coffee Kyoto location is more than just a spot to grab a coffee—it’s a place where cultural exchange feels natural and unforced. As a foreigner living in Kyoto, I especially appreciate this blend of global brand × local culture.
Here, you can bring your laptop and journal your day, or simply sink into a sofa and people-watch as travelers from around the world drift through. When the aroma of a latte mingles with the sweetness of a raisin pastry, it can feel as though you’re sitting in both Portland and Kyoto at the same time.
If you’re planning a trip to Kyoto and want to experience a café that brings together specialty coffee, innovative design, and local character, Stumptown Coffee Roasters Kyoto deserves a spot on any thoughtfully curated Kyoto café list.