A quaint cafe with delicious baked goods in Arashiyama

I love baked stuff, from breads to cakes to pastries. That’s why whenever I see a cafe offering interesting items, especially artisanal ones, I sure will linger, check and most likely buy. One thing that I’ve noticed with Japanese bakeries in Metro Manila (like Jipan) and in Japan, well, for those that I’ve been to in Tokyo and Kyoto, they’re really fond of good high quality bread and pastries in various forms and filling!

The weather was overcast when I arrived at the Arashiyama train station in Kyoto, Japan to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site listed Tenryu-ji Temple and the bamboo forest. These are among Kyoto’s very popular tourist sites. I was walking on the road that directly goes into the temple and along the way, saw this small cafe. Marche, as spelled above the entrance in clear letters.

Having just eaten a sandwich on my way earlier and gotten curious, I crossed the road and entered. It was quaint, yet cozy and inviting. At one side are various baked products and pastries. Infront is the counter while at the right side are the wee tables and wee chairs that are more fitting for school children.

I went closer to the bread and pastries and saw more than a dozen variety of sandwiches, filled breads, danish of different colors and toppings, and naturally, I got attracted to those with either meat, cream cheese or sweet filling. I got three different types. I really don’t know what these are since the labels were in Japanese scripts but basically, I got a danish, one filled with cream cheese and another with meat.

I paired these with a good lemonade and bit into the cream cheese bun. It was so soft and fluffy. The cream cheese filling was generous and just loved it so much that I later got another piece. Same with the other two, soft and just delicious.

Funny thing, when I got my lemonade, I placed it in a quite awkward position that it eventually tumbled and fell, spilling the contents. I would just have asked sorry for it and continued eating without the drink but to my horror, the Japanese woman was quite apologetic and replaced my drink with a new one! I got so embarassed as it was clearly my fault but she insisted in replacing it. Well, that’s just how the Japanese do customer service. 🙂

マルシェ
5-3 Sagatenryuji Kitatsukurimichicho
Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 616-8374, Japan
Phone:+81 75-862-0824

This trip made possible by Philippine Airlines.Check their website Philippine Airlines for tickets and promos. Like their Facebook page and follow them in Twitter.