Visit at Night in Kyoto! If You can Find the Place.

ELEPHANT FACTORY COFFEE (open 01:00pm~01:00am)

Are you free tonight in Kyoto? Let’s go to ELEPHANT FACTORY COFFEE!

Profile of ELEPHANT FACTORY COFFEE

“I have never regarded our space as a café. This is a coffee shop.” The coffee shop is run by Hiroto Hata, who previously worked as a manager at an interior goods store.

The ELEPHANT FACTORY COFFEE shop is in a rather secretive place in the Kawaramachi area, one of the main areas in Kyoto.

Kyotogram
Could you tell me how you started this coffee shop?
Hiroto
I wanted to create a space where a man could visit without any purpose. I hope this place fills the guests’ emotion, feeling, sense…
Kyotogram
Then, the place didn’t have to be the coffee shop at first?
Hiroto
Yes, but I like people drinking coffee.
Kyotogram
I see. Did you intend this to be a secret place?
Hiroto
I like to explore on foot and find special places. So, I chose here. However, more recently people have found us rather easily thanks to Google. I guess using Google just isn’t as fun to me, haha.

Specialty

Kyotogram
You’re very proud of your coffee, aren’t you?
Hiroto
Why not! I offer coffees that I really highly recommend and brew each cup of coffee from my heart.
Kyotogram
Do you expect the guests to love the coffee?
Hiroto
Well, not so. I’m grateful if they like it, but what is most important to me is that people enjoy the whole day, and ELEPHANT FACTORY COFFEE consists of a part of that day.
Kyotogram
How is the atmosphere in this coffee shop?
Hiroto
It really depends. Sometimes people enjoy reading and are very quiet. Sometimes they are chatting. This is a so small space that not only I but also the guests create the space.

 

Kyotogram
Do you love being the owner here?
Hiroto
Yes, so much. I can’t describe how it attracts me, but, yes, it’s perfect.

 

Next page: “What’s the unique point of Kyoto?”