Is Gokago Matcha Kyoto worth the hype?

Day one in Kyoto. We had arrived the night before from Tokyo, and this was our first full morning. The same day we decided to dress in kimono and walk through Gion. It felt right to begin there.

If you know anything about me, you know I love matcha. Not casually. Properly. I make it at home. I use premium Japanese matcha. And there’s always that running joke that once you start making good matcha at home, it becomes harder to enjoy it out. Especially in Toronto, where matcha can be very hit or miss.

So when I added Gokago Matcha to my list, I was excited. But cautious. I wanted to know if the hype was real.

Walking through Gion before Gokago Matcha Kyoto

We rented kimono earlier that morning and wandered through Gion slowly, browsing small shops along the way. The wooden storefronts. The narrow streets. That mix of preserved old and polished new that Kyoto does so effortlessly.

I expected a massive line outside Gokago Matcha Kyoto. I had waited almost an hour at another viral matcha café earlier in the trip, and that one felt overhyped. So I braced myself. But the line moved quickly. Already, that felt like a small blessing.

What I ordered at Gokago Matcha Kyoto

The space was small but beautiful. Clean lines. Quiet energy. A menu detailed enough that you could customise your drink. They offered matcha and hojicha. I later learned they sometimes carry seasonal options like blueberry drinks, which honestly sounds lovely.

I asked the staff what would taste balanced. For me, a good matcha is slightly sweetened but still rich and grassy. It should taste like matcha first. Not sugar. I chose the extra rich Uji matcha latte, sweetened, with matcha whip. I wanted depth. I wanted to guarantee strong flavour.

Interestingly, Japan surprised me. I assumed most cafés would lean traditional and unsweetened. But many places actually offer more sweet variations than Toronto does.

The wait, the seating, and the first sip

After ordering, I waited. And waited. But I was able to find a seat inside, which felt like a luxury compared to many other spots in Japan.

One thing I noticed throughout the trip is that many cafés do not have much seating. It is slightly ironic in a culture where walking and drinking is not always encouraged. You would expect more places to sit, sip, and leave peacefully. But that was not always my experience.

Gokago does have a small backyard area that is especially pretty. We did not stay back there because someone had dropped their matcha and it felt a bit chaotic in that moment. But it is worth noting that it exists.

The first sip was smooth. Earthy. Balanced. Not life altering. But genuinely good. If you are not a matcha enthusiast, you may not notice the quality difference. But if you are particular about flavour, you will appreciate the balance.

It was good enough that I purchased one of their sweetened matcha powders to bring home. I normally prefer ceremonial or unsweetened matcha. But I like experimenting. I could use it for baking. I could gift it. Or maybe my taste buds would surprise me.

The merch and why I regret not buying the shirt

They also had café merch. And I once heard someone say they prefer buying shirts from cafés they love instead of generic tourist souvenirs. That idea really resonated with me. I love a good tourist piece. But I love something hyper-specific even more. Something that quietly says, if you know, you know. Gokago had tees that felt exactly like that. I regret not buying one.

Drinking slowly, respectfully

I will admit something. I walked with my drink. Technically, that is not always encouraged in Japan. But I personally enjoy taking my time. If I spend $10 on a drink, I want to savour it. I do not want to rush it in five minutes just because seating is limited.

That said, I tried to be respectful. I did not throw trash anywhere. I avoided drinking in crowded areas. I asked for a lid, because lids are not automatically provided at many cafés. It is something to keep in mind if you visit.

Final thoughts: Is Gokago Matcha Kyoto worth it?

If you are searching “Is Gokago Matcha Kyoto worth it?” here is my honest answer. Yes. Especially if you care about matcha quality. It is not just about hype. It is about balance. It is about that quiet Kyoto aesthetic that blends old and new so seamlessly. It earned a place on my personal Japan café list.