Cafe Francois Kyoto

Cafe Francois

Overview

Cafe Francois

Cafe Francois is just south of Shijo - Kiyamachi on a block full of boutiques and brothels.

Salon de thé François - the official name - was created in 1934 by Shoichi Tateno, who had recently graduated from Kyoto Geidai (University of the Arts). Tateno was an avowed socialist and took part in Japan's early labor movement.

The cafe, meant to be a meeting place for workers and artists, was named in homage to the French painter Jean-François Millet.

In the early days, all profits were said to be funneled to the Communist Party.

In 1936, the cafe began to distribute an anti-fascist newspaper, “Doyobi” (Saturday).

A year later, shortly after Japan went to war against China, Tateno was arrested for his anti-war activities.

After being released from Yamashina Prison, in Kyoto, Tateno had an Italian friend, Alexsandro Bencivenni, redesign the interior. And thus it remains to this day.

In 2002, the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs certified the building as a "Registered Tangible Cultural Property."

Menu

Simple sandwiches and cakes.

Relevant Routes

Cafe Francois is close to the Kiyamachi Route. 

Address

Shijo Kiyamachi Sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
Tel: 075 351 4042

Hours

Tue. - Sat. 10:00 - 23:00

Map

Cafe Francois Map

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