Nara Coffee
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Amagatsuji Station · 18 min walk (Kintetsu Kashihara Line)
- Time needed
- 15–30 min
About
Nara Coffee is a highly-rated, cozy local roastery and cafe located slightly off the beaten tourist path. Known for its meticulously sourced and roasted beans, it is a haven for coffee purists seeking exceptional pour-overs and espresso. Expect a minimalist, relaxing atmosphere where the friendly, passionate owner takes the time to help you select the perfect brew based on your flavor preferences.
What Japanese guides note
While online listings often describe Nara Coffee as a sit-down cafe lounge, the business operates strictly as a roastery for bean retail and takeout drinks following the permanent closure of its dine-in seating. Managed by a husband-and-wife team in Shijōōji, the shop stocks single-origin varieties and house blends measured from wooden containers and ground on request. Because the location is roughly 18 to 23 minutes on foot from the nearest train stations, visitors relying on public transit typically arrive via Nara Kōtsū bus to the Shijōōji Nichōme stop.
Details from local sources
- In-store cafe seating was discontinued, converting the shop into a bean retailer that sells 300cc takeout coffee priced between ¥350 and ¥450. [source]
- Customers who purchase coffee beans receive a complimentary cup of coffee and a confection while waiting. [source]
- The shop is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and national holidays. [source]
- The nearest public transit stop is Shijōōji Nichōme bus stop, located a four-minute walk from the shop. [source]
Insider Tip
Purchase a bag of their house-roasted beans as a souvenir; they make a fantastic, lightweight gift for coffee lovers back home.
Frequently asked
Can customers sit down and drink coffee inside Nara Coffee?
No. In-store cafe seating was permanently discontinued, so dine-in table service is no longer available on the premises. Visitors can only purchase roasted whole or ground coffee beans by weight, or order freshly prepared takeout drip coffee served in 300cc cups priced between ¥350 and ¥450.
What service is provided when purchasing coffee beans?
When customers order roasted coffee beans, the proprietors prepare a complimentary cup of hot coffee and often serve a small confection during the wait. This hospitality allows buyers to taste the shop's brewing profile while their beans are being weighed, bagged, or ground according to their preferred extraction method.
How can visitors reach the shop using public transit?
The closest railway stop is Amagatsuji Station on the Kintetsu Kashihara Line, an 18-minute walk to the east. Alternatively, travelers can board a local Nara Kōtsū bus heading towards Shijōōji from JR Nara Station or Kintetsu-Nara Station and alight at the Shijōōji Nichōme bus stop, four minutes away on foot.
Our Nara walking tours
Photos
