It was serendipitous grace that allowed % Arabica’s founder, Kenneth, to find what has now become % Arabica’s Arashiyama’s store. Kenneth discovered this beautiful location overlooking the historic Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama. Seeing a golden opportunity, he immediately booked a next-day flight to Japan and went to see the location and the landlord. Although the landlord was initially reluctant, having plans to sell the surrounding plot, he later visited our Higashiyama store and gladly agreed to rent the land to Kenneth for as long as he desired.
Our store is in front of the Arashiyama Mountain and Ooi River. Tourists from all over the world flock here to see Tenryū-ji, a UNESCO World Heritage temple with a heavenly garden, and the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. This store perfectly encapsulates the % Arabica ethos of simple, beautiful, timeless design in an iconic location. For this reason, we are calling this store our Global Flagship store.
Here, we set the standard for all our stores worldwide, that they might follow in the footsteps of this humble store in the heart of Kyoto’s cultural centre.
Come and experience our timeless, excellent coffee, while taking in the gorgeous view of Arashiyama ***