Mr. Jiro Yamamoto, Owner, Coffee Shop Yamamoto

Interviewers/Authors: Kaito Ikeda, Ryoka Koga

Coffee Shop Yamamoto is located near JR Saga Arashiyama Station and was established by its first owner, Kenji Yamamoto. We interviewed the second-generation owner, Jiro Yamamoto, who runs the coffee shop with his family. We asked him about his coffee shop and the different attractions of Ukyo-ku. 

— To start off, what is the background and reasons for opening the coffee shop?

Yamamoto: The coffee shop has been operating since 1969 and my father was the first owner. I’m now running the coffee shop with my family as the second owner. I also have an older brother, who is managing a sister store in Shimogamo.

―Is there any recommended menu?

Yamamoto: Our coffee is, of course, highly recommended. But when it comes to food, the pork cutlet sandwiches as well as the fruit sandwiches are very delicious. I hold especially fond memories of the pork cutlet sandwiches. I grew up watching my father making the sauce through trial-and-error and saying, “This menu is not good enough to serve to customers.” Then, regarding the fruit sandwiches, we change the fruits we put in according to the season. For example, in summer, we use shine muscat grapes instead of strawberries. In addition, our sandwiches involve melon, orange, yellow peach, and so on. We are very proud of the fruit sandwiches on our menu. I would also recommend that you try our coffee jelly. It was extremely difficult to achieve the jelly’s exquisite softness—neither too hard nor too soft. Therefore, we took time to achieve a satisfying consistency by making samples and tasting repeatedly.

―Do you have something you focus on when running the coffee shop?

Yamamoto: The thing I focus on is to make as much as possible by hand. We make all our sauces by hand, including the sauce for the pork cutlet, and the other sandwiches. Our tomato sauce is also homemade. I do this because I want everyone to be satisfied with our unique taste. Additionally, I don’t think about introducing any new menu items I just want to carry on my father’s legacy and serve people the flavor of his cooking. I want to keep protecting Yamamoto’s unique taste.

―What has been your role or contribution to Ukyo-ku?

Yamamoto: I’m not sure this is a good answer, however, I have been running this coffee shop to make it a place of relaxation that everyone loves. I really enjoy talking with our many customers and I’m so happy when they tell me how delicious our food is. Also, it is something that I really look forward to in running the shop. This place is not only everyone’s place but also a place for me to relax as well.

―What kind of place do you want to make this coffee shop in Ukyo-ku in the future?

Yamamoto: Thankfully, there are customers who come to our coffee shop on a regular basis. It would be wonderful if our coffee shop could become a place where they bring their grandchildren and they become our new regular customers. I would be very glad if our coffee shop could become a place to be passed down from generation to generation. And of course, we hope that our coffee shop becomes a place of relaxation that is as loved as it has always been.

―What attractive points of Ukyo-ku do you want Japanese and foreign visitors to know?

Yamamoto: An attractive point of Ukyo-ku is that it’s full of nature. Moreover, there are many temples, shrines, as well as historical buildings. Among the attractions of Ukyo-ku, I especially like the beautiful pastoral landscape of Kitasaga. My wife and I used to take our sons for walks there when they were still small. The scenery is just stunning.

―Do you have any suggestions for the future of Ukyo-ku?

Yamamoto: I would like more people to come to Ukyo-ku and visit the various places here. However, current road conditions make it increasingly difficult to smoothly move around in Ukyo-ku. A strong effort should be made to pave more roads, so as to have more people come to Ukyo-ku. Since it would be more accessible, Ukyo-ku would become a more bustling place.

―Lastly, do you have a message for the readers of the website?

Yamamoto: We are waiting for you with our unique tasty foods, including cutlet sandwiches, fruit sandwiches, and a variety of other items. Please drop by if you happen to be in the neighborhood. (695 words)

Interviewer’s Comments

Once I entered the shop, I was wrapped in the scent of coffee and somehow, the nice atmosphere of the coffee shop made me feel nostalgic. The owner, Mr. Yamamoto, and his family were very friendly and warm. I thought that this could be one of the reasons why their coffee shop is so beloved. There are many more attractive points and amazing scenery, which only longtime residents in Ukyo-ku know about. Therefore, I would like more people to visit this nice part of town and learn more about it.

(Ryoka Koga)