Conce
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Kintetsu-Nara Station · 15 min walk (Kintetsu Nara Line, Kintetsu Kyoto Line)
- Hours
- 10:00–17:00 (closed Tuesdays)
- Time needed
- 30–60 min
- Best time to go
- Morning between 10:00 and 11:30, before the peak pedestrian crowds arrive along the Todai-ji approach.
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
About
Conce is a highly-rated cafe located just a short walk from Nara Park, making it the perfect pitstop after sightseeing. This cozy spot is celebrated for its meticulously crafted hand-drip coffee, delicate matcha lattes, and exceptional homemade desserts like their signature puddings. Expect a warm, minimalist aesthetic and incredibly welcoming service that provides a peaceful escape from the bustling tourist crowds.
What Japanese guides note
The cafe is situated on the second floor directly along the Todai-ji Omotesando approach, allowing visitors to enter directly without walking through the ground-floor souvenir shop. Large second-story windows look out directly onto the deer and pedestrian path leading toward the Great Buddha Hall. Because the establishment closes at 17:00 and observes a regular Tuesday closure, visitors should plan stops earlier in the afternoon.
Details from local sources
- The cafe's name CONCE derives from Konse, the historic local nickname for Konsei, an indigo-dyeing business operated by the owner's family from the Edo period into early Meiji. [source]
- The cafe occupies the second floor above Shikaya, an approach souvenir shop established in 1877 that originated as Kanoko Chaya. [source]
- Cafe house rules require every customer except preschool children to order at least one item, and bringing in outside food or drink is prohibited. [source]
- The cafe has approximately 50 seats in a mountain-lodge interior serving espresso-focused drinks and light meals like sandwiches and salads. [source]
Insider Tip
Since it is located on the second floor, look for the modest street-level signage to avoid walking past the entrance.
Frequently asked
Can items from Cafe CONCE be ordered for takeout?
Yes, the cafe provides its complete food and beverage selection for takeout. Visitors can purchase espresso drinks, teas, sandwiches, and desserts in to-go packaging to enjoy while walking through Nara Park or resting at the nearby public park benches and pavilions.
Are outside food and drinks permitted inside the cafe?
No, outside food and beverages are strictly banned under the establishment's house rules. In addition, all seated guests, except for preschool-age children, must purchase at least one individual menu item from the counter, and restroom access is reserved exclusively for paying customers.
Does Cafe CONCE have dedicated customer parking?
No, Cafe CONCE has no dedicated customer parking on site. Drivers must rely on paid commercial coin lots scattered around Nara Park, but bus connections to Todaiji Daibutsuden/Kasuga Taisha-mae or a 15-minute walk from Kintetsu-Nara Station are recommended to avoid heavy traffic congestion.
Our Nara walking tours
On the same walk
Photos
