Kyoto Maid Cafes Top 10 Ranking (Updated 2024)

Yurina
Yurina

Let me introduce a recommended ranking of concept cafes in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.

Iroha
Iroha

This ranking is based on criteria like comfort in the venue and richness in cosplay. Feel free to use it as a reference.

The Charm of Kyoto, a City Brimming with Japanese Culture and History

Kyoto City is a place rich with Japanese tradition and history, and it is emblematic of Japanese culture. Since 794, when it became the capital under the name Heian-kyō, Kyoto has fostered a vibrant culture over a long history. The city is home to over a thousand shrines and temples, among which Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Fushimi Inari Shrine are particularly famous, boasting beautiful scenery harmonized with nature across the four seasons. In areas like Gion and Arashiyama, traditional streetscapes and historic buildings such as teahouses and traditional restaurants evoke a timeless atmosphere that can be felt just by strolling around.

Kyoto is also a highly popular tourist city, attracting numerous visitors from around the world. Classical arts and crafts thrive here as well, with uniquely Kyoto experiences such as maiko dance performances, Kyō yūzen (traditional dyed fabrics), and Kiyomizu ceramics. Additionally, Kyoto is a hub of traditional Japanese cuisine, where visitors can enjoy unique local dishes such as yudofu, saba sushi, and yatsuhashi. The city offers enchanting seasonal landscapes, with cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves, bringing new inspiration to each visitor. Seasonal events and festivals are another highlight. Kyoto, surrounded by tranquil mountains and bustling with knowledge and technology exchange through its numerous universities and research institutions, exudes a peaceful atmosphere that feels like a break from the rush of everyday life. This city is a place of enduring beauty and culture, loved across generations.

– Ranking –

Yurina
Yurina

Bringing you a ranking of various types of concept cafes!

10th Place: Chitchai Mono Club

Chitchai Mono Club is a cafe & bar themed around “a friend’s house from junior high.” It offers a different atmosphere during the day and night. During weekends and holidays, it operates as a maid cafe, with friendly cast members in adorable maid costumes welcoming you warmly. With its relaxed, friendly vibe, it feels like visiting a friend’s place, making it easy for first-timers to enjoy.

9th Place: MaidCafe & Bar Luna Ange

Just a 2-minute walk from Hankyu Saiin Station, on the 6th floor of a building, you’ll find a magical space where cute magical girls gather. At **MaidCafe & Bar Luna Ange**, the charming magical girls guide guests into a unique, fantastical world. With sparkling magic surrounding the interior, these magical girls warmly welcome you.

8th Place: Cafe de Ai

Cafe de Ai is a maid cafe in central Kyoto with excellent accessibility. With its simple, sophisticated interior, friendly maids provide a relaxing and comfortable service. It’s also budget-friendly, with an average cost starting at 3,500 yen, making it ideal for concept cafe newcomers.

7th Place: Hana no Gotoku

Located in Sanjo, Kyoto, **Hana no Gotoku** is a cosplay cafe bar where costumed staff welcome you daily. With a Japanese-style theme based on the Sengoku period, anime, game characters, and maids, the diverse cosplay adds a new layer of enjoyment with each visit. The store blends seamlessly with Kyoto’s historic streets, making it a casual stop for tourists, and it provides a warm, homey atmosphere that allows first-time visitors to feel at ease.

6th Place: MilkyRose

MilkyRose is a newly opened cafe in Kyoto’s Kawaramachi, featuring maid costumes with a cheongsam (Chinese dress) style. Here, the “China maids” dressed in exotic outfits offer a unique service experience. Operated by a female manager, this cafe is especially welcoming to women visiting alone.

5th Place: Umi no Naka

Located just a 3-minute walk from Kyoto Sanjo Station, **Umi no Naka** is a unique concept cafe themed around the idea of being “under the sea.” From the moment you step inside, you feel as if you’ve dived into the ocean, as the immersive atmosphere draws visitors into a fantastical world. The interior design is carefully crafted with attention to detail, featuring tropical fish swimming along the walls, shell-shaped sofas, bubble-inspired lamps, and other elements that evoke surprise and wonder. It’s truly a place to explore the “ocean world” and discover something new with each visit.

4th Place: DOLL Jogakuin

DOLL Jogakuin, newly opened in Kyoto’s Kiyamachi, is a concept cafe where cast members dressed in Korean-style school uniforms serve customers. The interior, with a color scheme of white and pink and decorated with elements that evoke school life, gives visitors a nostalgic taste of youthful days. The uniformed staff have a fresh, pure look and create a warm atmosphere that everyone can enjoy.

3rd Place: CANDY

One of Kyoto’s most popular maid cafes, **CANDY** offers a welcoming atmosphere where adorable maids greet you warmly. With heartfelt hospitality, you can relax as if you were at home. Enjoy delightful moments together with your favorite maid!

2nd Place: MaidCafe & Bar Devil Holic

Located in the heart of Gion, **MaidCafe & Bar Devil Holic** is a concept cafe where devilishly charming maids await you. With a mischievous cuteness, these maids captivate visitors with a bewitching allure, as if they came straight from a fantasy realm. Dressed in black and white costumes, they mesmerize with a mix of sweet and slightly toxic charm.

1st Place: iDream Main Store

In Kyoto’s Gion district, the concept bar **iDream** offers a space that combines the soothing presence of maids with the sparkle of idols. With a theme centered on “love and dreams,” iDream creates special moments that not only relieve daily fatigue but also bring a sparkle to your day. The spacious interior, with private box seating, provides a relaxed atmosphere perfect for concept cafe beginners.

Iroha
Iroha

We’ve carefully selected and ranked the best concept cafes in Kyoto. Be sure to check them out if any of them catch your interest!

The Appeal of Kyoto’s Downtown Area, Where Tradition Meets Modernity

The downtown area of Kyoto has a unique charm that differs from the vibrancy and modern glitz of other major cities. For example, Tokyo’s Shinjuku and Shibuya are known for their trendy fashion and cutting-edge technology, while Kyoto’s center, particularly areas like Shijo-Kawaramachi and Gion, exudes an atmosphere where tradition harmonizes with modernity. In Kyoto, historic machiya townhouses and traditional restaurants line the streets, blending naturally with modern shopping facilities and cafes, creating a nostalgic yet calming atmosphere while shopping or dining.

Compared to Osaka’s Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi, Kyoto’s downtown has a quieter and more refined impression. Osaka is bustling with lively, casual dining and entertainment options, but Kyoto offers more places where you can enjoy traditional culture, such as “Kyo-ryori” (Kyoto cuisine) and “chanoyu” (the tea ceremony), adding a sense of elegance. In Gion, you might spot a maiko or geiko walking by, providing tourists with a special experience. In this way, Kyoto’s downtown area, with its quiet elegance and charm, stands out as a place where you can savor Japan’s traditional culture alongside modern conveniences, leaving visitors with unforgettable memories.

Yurina
Yurina

Let me introduce some of Kyoto’s best local specialties!

Yatsuhashi

This is a traditional Kyoto sweet known for its cinnamon flavor.

Kyoto Pickles

A variety of Kyoto-specific pickles, including Senmaizuke and Suguki.

Nama-fu (Raw Wheat Gluten)

With a chewy texture, it’s used in both traditional dishes and desserts.

Yuba

Made from soy milk, it has a healthy, delicate flavor.

When you come to Kyoto, be sure to enjoy the tourist spots, delicious specialties, and try visiting a concept cafe!