SARUTAHIKO COFFEE Nara SHIKA SARU KITSUNE BUILDING
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Kintetsu-Nara Station · 7 min walk (Kintetsu Nara Line)
- Hours
- 9:00–19:00 (L.O. 18:30)
- Admission
- Free
- Time needed
- 30–60 min
- Best time to go
- Morning from 9:00 to 10:00, when the cafe opens an hour before the complex's retail stores and before afternoon sightseeing crowds arrive.
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
About
Located inside Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten's flagship complex, this stylish cafe is a unique collaboration between Tokyo's famous Sarutahiko Coffee and Nara's historic design brand. It's the perfect spot to recharge on specialty brews, including an exclusive "Nara-machi Blend," while surrounded by beautiful modern wooden architecture. Expect a vibrant, design-forward atmosphere where you can pair your coffee with local deer-shaped venison pastries.
What Japanese guides note
The cafe is situated on the ground floor of the Shika Saru Kitsune Building, located within the narrow alleys of Ganriinchō just west of Sarusawa Pond. Seating operates on a self-service basis, so patrons should secure a table before ordering at the counter. Because Sarutahiko opens at 9:00 while the upper-floor retail spaces open at 10:00, the early morning hour provides a quieter setting.
Details from local sources
- The facility name Shika Saru Kitsune combines the symbols of its three founding occupants: Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten (deer), Sarutahiko Coffee (monkey), and Kitsune sukiyaki restaurant (fox). [source]
- The three-story building spanning approximately 126 tsubo was designed by architect Hiroshi Naito and opened on April 14, 2021. [source]
- This branch marked Tokyo-founded Sarutahiko Coffee's first expansion into the Kansai region when it opened in 2021. [source]
- The building has neither private car parking nor dedicated bicycle racks, requiring patrons to use paid coin parking lots in the neighborhood. [source]
Insider Tip
Try to snag a window seat on the second floor for a relaxing view of the traditional Nara townhouses while you sip your brew.
Frequently asked
Does Sarutahiko Coffee offer a morning menu?
Yes. The cafe serves a morning menu daily between 9:00 and 11:00. Because the cafe opens at 9:00, visitors can have coffee and breakfast an hour before the adjacent Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten retail store opens at 10:00.
Is there parking available at the building?
No. The Shika Saru Kitsune Building does not provide dedicated car parking spaces or bicycle parking. Drivers and cyclists must use nearby coin-operated parking garages and municipal bicycle lots located around the Naramachi district.
Can drinks and pastries be ordered for takeout?
Yes. Beverages, baked goods, and merchandise such as coffee beans and packaged drip bags can be ordered to go. Takeout drinks can be carried directly into the surrounding historic streets or over to nearby Sarusawa Pond.
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