## Could you tell us a little bit about your career and how it led you to where you are today?

I originally set out to become a teacher. I earned my teaching license and, over the course of about a year and a half, travelled to over 30 different countries to gain a broad range of experiences that I hoped would one day make me a better educator. After that, I spent a year living in Australia to experience life abroad and improve my English. It was there, in Perth, that I met my wife and began working at a small local café. That was the beginning of my journey as a barista.

At that café, I made it a point to remember not just the names of our regulars, but also how they liked their coffee, their routines, their preferences, even their stories. The space itself was large and open, and the atmosphere was always warm. Every day at lunchtime, Italian customers would stop by for a quick espresso before heading back to work. On weekends, local Australian families would gather for a relaxed, hearty breakfast together. It was a small shop, but it held real meaning for the community.

I was deeply moved by that and by how something so modest could be so essential to daily life. That sense of quiet purpose, of a place truly needed, stayed with me. After returning to Japan and spending several years building my experience at a café in Kyoto, I decided to go independent and open ACTUAL KYOTO.

## Where did the inspiration come from to renovate a 130 year old traditional house into a coffee shop?

It wasn’t something I had planned, but the moment I saw the house, I felt drawn to it. Despite its hidden location, I thought it would be meaningful to create a space people would seek out, a place worth the effort to visit. If we focused on offering something genuine and took good care of our guests, I believed they’d come.

For the renovation, we didn’t just want to make the space look new. We aimed to bring creativity into it while preserving its history. One of the earthen walls was in bad shape, but instead of covering it, we worked with local artists to turn it into a piece of graffiti art using Iwa Nogu, traditional Japanese mineral pigments. It was our way of honouring the old while adding something new.

We opened a little later than planned, but with a space that felt true to us.

## How did you come up with the name ACTUAL KYOTO?

The name comes from my own experiences. I’ve travelled to many countries, and what stayed with me most were the real, personal moments and interactions with local people, small things you can only feel by being there. I wanted to create a space in Kyoto that offered that same kind of value: an actual experience, hence the name ACTUAL KYOTO.

Two years on, I feel that intention has reached people. Some come in, sit with a coffee, and say they can really feel the 130 year history of the building. That means a lot to me.

The logo itself is deliberately abstract. It’s hard to read unless you already know the name. But that’s part of the idea. Even if the location is hard to find, or the name isn’t obvious, I believe people will come if you put care into what you do. That belief is at the heart of this place.

## What inspired the design of your uniforms?

When you drink a cup of coffee here, it’s not just about the taste, it’s also about the atmosphere, the way the staff move, and even what they’re wearing. All of it contributes to the experience.

We wanted the uniforms to reflect the same care we put into the space and the coffee itself. We worked closely with a tailor to design something that felt well made and intentional. Personally, what I wear really affects my mindset. Putting on the uniform helps me get into the right frame of mind each day.

## Do you see clothing as something that can shape your mindset or mood?

I do think about how clothes make me feel. I value pieces that lift my mood, but also things that are practical - especially now, with young children, ease of movement is important.

My Lavenham gilet is one of those pieces that does both. Just throwing it on over a T-shirt instantly makes me feel more put together. It’s also incredibly practical as, unlike a shirt, it doesn’t crease when you carry it in a bag, so it’s easy to bring along as an extra layer. It helps regulate temperature without being too warm or too light.

It also works well with our store uniform. In winter, I often wear it as a layer underneath. It’s a small thing, but wearing something that feels good and functions well really changes your mindset for the day.

## When do you find yourself reaching for your Lavenham gilet the most?

I don’t usually tend to differ from what I wear for work, what I wear when traveling, or within my personal time. I like to wear what I love, wherever I am. That’s why the Lavenham gilet is so useful. It pairs effortlessly with any outfit and suits just about any situation.

As someone who travels often, I really appreciate the number and design of the pockets. Unlike many gilets, where the inner pockets are slanted, this one has properly aligned ‘90 degree’ pockets that keep my important belongings safe and secure. Details like that show the level of care that goes into Lavenham’s craftsmanship. It’s a brand with history, and I’m drawn to things with stories - just like this old building I work in.

Lavenham’s commitment to longevity also resonates with me. It’s not just in the sense of “lasting a long time,” but in their idea of “using things up” fully. For example, they’ve started a Custom Gilet Project, where they reuse leftover fabrics from past collections to create one-of-a-kind pieces. I love that kind of mindful creativity.

That kind of forward thinking aligns with how we approach our space too. On our outdoor terrace, we reused dried coffee cherry husks (which are normally discarded) to make tea, which we shared with our team. Then we dried them again and mixed them into the plaster for our wall. Those textured, darker patches you see, that’s them!

I think old buildings are part of Kyoto’s soul. They’re not always convenient or rational, but I believe there’s meaning in preserving and reusing them. Our shop is a small step in that direction. I hope more people are inspired to make similar choices, just as Lavenham continues to make thoughtful ones through it’s products.

## Finally, as someone who has travelled extensively, what kind of experience do you hope visitors have at ACTUAL KYOTO when they stop by your café during their travels?

When we travel, we feel energised by the people we meet, especially in restaurants where those local interactions leave a lasting impression. That’s the kind of energy we want to give back here at ACTUAL KYOTO.

Since travellers can only visit so many places during a trip, every restaurant or café experience matters. Even if it’s a small moment, the way someone is welcomed can shape their entire impression of a place. Because of this, we try to create an atmosphere that makes people think, ‘’I want to come back to Kyoto someday.’’

If we can inspire someone, help them feel a little stronger, or give them a small spark of insight to take back into their daily life, then we’re truly happy. Even a little impact is meaningful to us.

I’ve had guests from the U.S. tell me they’ve followed our Instagram for a long time and always dreamed of visiting. Others come back every time they’re in Kyoto, becoming regulars despite the distance. That kind of connection means the world to us. It’s what I hoped for when I opened this place: to become a destination people travel to Kyoto for.

I used to think only teachers could build deep, lasting bonds with people. But now, through this café, I’ve come to realise you can create that kind of connection in many ways. In the end, it’s not about the job, it’s about how you share something meaningful with others.

Make sure to check out ACTUAL KYOTO's Instagram page: @actual_kyoto