When in Kyoto: LIGHT UP COFFEE

 Looking for a respite from the crazy chilling spring wind, a friend and I stumbled into LIGHT UP COFFEE near Kamogawa River. We were in need of something to warm us up (and a major caffeine boost) as the sun was sinking behind the mountains.

Offering a variety of specialty roasted beans and utensils,  LIGHT UP COFFEE is a great place to visit if you want to 'talk coffee' and try new beans. 

I didn't order it this time, but apparently they have a tasting set where you can order three different types of coffee.

I ordered the Kyoto blend, their location's specialty blend, and my friend got a cafe latte. 

For the hand-drip coffee, LIGHT UP COFFEE uses the Kalita 'Tsubame' wave stainless dripper, which I haven't seen being used in many other shops yet. Most coffee shops in Kyoto and Osaka are die-hard Hario V-60 users, so it was interesting to see this dripper being used.

At LIGHT UP COFFEE, the coffee is served on a board in a conical flask, which was aesthetically pleasing as well as functional in that the coffee stayed warm and I could enjoy it at my own pace.

 LIGHT UP COFFEE also sells coffee making drippers, utensils, presses, kettles and more. I'm sure the staff would be more than happy to explain how to use these products to make good coffee in your own home.

 They sell a few types of blend coffees and specialty coffees from all over the world which they also roast themselves. When I went, they featured Ethiopian and Colombian coffee beans.

They also have monthly seminars and lessons ranging from coffee dripping to learning about different coffee brewers.

It was too chilly to sit outside, but this shop has a nice outdoor seating area which I look forward to sitting at in the summer with an ice coffee in hand.

Although LIGHT UP COFFEE has two more locations in Tokyo, the Kyoto shop opened only last winter in 2016. 

It's a just short walk from Demachiyanagi station:)

〒602-0822 Kyōto-fu, Kamigyō-ku, Seiryūchō, ２５２