Hired to open a store in Kuwait for ‘too-beautiful latte art’ – The White Cottage Café in Arashiyama

▲ The white cottage stands quietly, making it the hottest café in Arashiyama lately. (Photo / Provided by % Arabica)

Reported and photographed by You T-Ru / Kyoto

A white cottage stands quietly by Arashiyama, a pure white scene where time seems to stand still. This is the new Arashiyama branch of Kyoto’s recently super-popular % Arabica. Besides the Arashiyama shop, it has recently expanded all the way to Kuwait. Its rich coffee flavor and quick yet elegant latte art skills are truly astonishing.


▲ The design of % Arabica follows a minimalist style, nestled right next to the Arashiyama area. (Photo / Provided by % Arabica)


% Arabica may not be as famous as Blue Bottle, which has opened new stores in Tokyo in recent years, but its strength should not be underestimated. Some describe Blue Bottle as the Apple product of the coffee world, while % Arabica might be like a Sony-brand phone — building its own path by combining cultural foundation with design.

The founder of % Arabica is Kohji Naganuma. The person in charge of the Arashiyama store revealed that Kohji, who has traveled to over 60 countries, hopes to focus on simple living, meeting basic needs, creating a strong foundation for children, and also looking at the everyday coffee that modern people drink, so that enjoying coffee itself becomes a way to feel life. There are already two branches in Hong Kong, the Kyoto store is the first in Japan, and the Arashiyama store is the second.


▲ The highlight here is the latte art, and every barista showcases impressive latte art skills.

Without offering the “additional services” typically provided by cafés — no desserts or meals — this “coffee-only” café, like the one in Kyoto, uses a transparent and all-white visual aesthetic to make the color of the coffee itself stand out, exuding an irresistible charm. The coffee beans here are medium-dark roasted, offering a bold flavor with delicate roasted notes. Using fresh milk added in, the smooth foam blends intricately with the coffee, resulting in a rich and delicious taste.


▲ The milk foam is fine and smooth.
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