Nothing says rustic-cool quite like exposed brickwork, mosaic tiling and wooden tables in the basement of a 1920s building, but it's not something you expect to find in Kyoto.
Cafe Independants is a short walk from Kawaramachi station and just off the main shopping arcade. It is the perfect place to escape Kyoto's busy streets for lunch or evening drinks.
Now Art Complex 1928, the building began life as the regional office for Osaka's Mainichi Shimbun newspaper. Its Art-Deco inspired architecture has led it to be designated a Tangible Cultural Property. Be sure to admire the star-shaped balcony before you head downstairs for a bite. After eating, explore the other cafes and boutiques, or even take in a performance of GEAR - the non-verbal spectacle on the top floor.
