Kyoto Starbucks’ elegant over-river seating might make it Japan’s coolest coffeehouse

As with many places in Japan, you’ll find a surprising dichotomy in Kyoto. On the one hand, the country’s former capital remains one of its most refined centers of traditional culture. On the other, the local geography (Kyoto sits in an inland basin) makes the city swelteringly hot during the summer, even by Japan’s steamy standards.

But, as always, the people of Kyoto deal with this issue in an elegant way. During the warmer part of the year, riverside restaurants in Kyoto seat customers on what’s called a "noryoyuka." Literally meaning “cooling floor,” "noryoyuka" are wooden platforms built out over the water, with a refreshing water-cooled breeze coming up from below.

The most popular cluster of noryoyuka can be found along the Kamogawa River, which borders the Sanjo neighborhood, Kyoto’s dining district. But while many of these restaurants are high-class establishments serving full-course meals, there’s an alternative that’s both casual and reasonably priced: the Sanjo Ohashi branch of Starbucks.

s long as you’re purchasing a drink or something to eat, there’s no additional charge to use the coffeehouse’s noryoyuka. You’ll probably want to grab a seat before you place your order, though, to make sure you don’t miss out on the gorgeous view of Sanjo Ohashi Bridge stretching over the river and the lush Mt. Nyoigatake beyond.

Starbucks "noryoyuka" is open until the end of September, so if you’re feeling thirsty or footsore after a day of temple-hopping, you know just where to take a break and recharge before heading out again to see more of Kyoto’s amazing sights.

Restaurant information Starbucks (Kyoto Sanjo Ohashi branch) / スターバックス京都三条大橋店 Address: Kyoto-fu, Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Sanjo-dori, Kawaramachi, Hirashiiru Nakajimacho, Oumiya Building 1st floor 住所　 京都府京都市中京区三条通河原町東入ル中島町113 近江屋ビル1F Open 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Noryoyuka open 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. (May, September), 4 p.m.-10 p.m. (June-August) Website

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Five amazing Japanese Starbucks locations that let you keep sightseeing as you take a break -- Crepe made with Kyoto sweets and green tea is the perfect treat after a day of temple hopping -- Why use chocolate or nuts when you can top your ice cream with gold like these Japanese cafes?

© Japan Today