Kaikado Café, Kyoto, Japan

Hand-crafting copper, tin and brass tea-caddies since 1875, Kaikado has now also started brewing tea at its newly opened café, a short stroll from its small workshop and flagship store in Kyoto’s Kawarmachi district.

Housed in a 90-year-old listed building, the café serves an eclectic selection of treats, including cakes from local bakery Hanakago, tea from London’s Postcard Teas and coffee from Wani Coffee in Tokyo.

Designer Thomas Lykke from Copenhagen-based studio OeO was charged with transforming the old city-tram warehouse and has skilfully combined his native Nordic sensibility with the century old heritage of Kaikado in a bright interior with partially exposed concrete walls, that are tempered with light oak furnishings and cooper lamps, designed by OeO and made by Kaikado.

At the moment, a visit to the second floor bar is by invitation only, but this might change in the future. If it’s any consolation, the café is set to age beautifully and become even better over time.