Cafe Wakakusa
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Kintetsu-Nara Station · 2 min walk (Kintetsu Nara Line, Kintetsu Kyoto Line)
- Time needed
- 30–60 min
About
Located just steps from Kintetsu-Nara Station, Cafe Wakakusa is a cozy refuge famous for its fluffy, freshly made Japanese crepes and matcha-infused treats. It is the perfect spot to rest your feet after exploring Nara Park, offering a relaxed atmosphere, friendly English-speaking service, and a delicious menu of sweet and savory crepes, parfaits, and local Yamato tea.
What Japanese guides note
Cafe Wakakusa sits along the Higashimuki Kita shopping street in the Kitamachi area, just north of Kintetsu-Nara Station. Unlike Japanese street stands where crepes are rolled into paper cones for walking, this shop serves crepes plated on dishware to be eaten with a knife and fork. It serves as a practical rest stop when walking between the station and northern historical sites such as Todai-ji's Tegaimon gate.
Details from local sources
- Cafe Wakakusa prepares its additive-free crepe batter using 100% domestic Japanese wheat flour mixed from strong and weak flours, milk, eggs, unsalted butter, and granulated sugar. [source]
- The cafe occupies a two-story building where an older restaurant named Wakakusa previously stood, retaining traces of the prior shop on its signage. [source]
- The establishment is split across two levels, with counter seating on the first floor and sofa seating occupying the second floor. [source]
- In addition to sweet options, the shop serves savory meal crepes that patrons frequently order alongside alcoholic beverages like Guinness beer. [source]
Insider Tip
Try the Yamato green tea crepe or the seasonal fruit options, and pair it with their excellent hand-dripped coffee.
Frequently asked
Does Cafe Wakakusa serve savory food or only sweet crepes?
Yes. The cafe prepares over ten varieties of savory meal crepes, incorporating ingredients like ham, melted cheese, ratatouille, and smoked duck. Unlike portable street snack crepes, these are served flat on plates with a knife and fork, often ordered alongside drinks or lunch sets.
Where is Cafe Wakakusa located relative to Kintetsu-Nara Station?
Cafe Wakakusa is located along the Higashimuki Kita shopping arcade in the Kitamachi district, roughly 100 meters north of Kintetsu-Nara Station Exit 1. The shop stands immediately adjacent to the Higashimuki Post Office, making it an easy first stop before walking north toward Todai-ji's Tegaimon gate.
What seating layout does the cafe have?
The cafe operates across two floors. The ground floor features counter seating near the kitchen and a couple of small tables, while the second floor provides spacious sofa seating where patrons can sit quietly away from street foot traffic after touring the temples of Nara.
Our Nara walking tours
On the same walk
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