Catfish Café
A weekday café and bakery near Yakushiji, known for carefully brewed coffee, fresh breads and chiffon cake beside the Akishino River.
Verified site photographs are being prepared.Discover Catfish Café
Catfish Café is a small café and bakery at 155-1 Nishinokyocho, a short walk from Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station and the Yakushiji area. Nara Prefecture's nara temono directory says the café is operated by social welfare corporation Komadorikai and describes a coffee-and-baking program that includes hand-dripped limited coffee, bread and chiffon cake. The location adds a quieter kind of pause to a temple visit: the prefectural feature points to its terrace beside the Akishino River and the seasonal cherry trees along the water. This is an ordinary public café with a social-welfare operator, not a visitor attraction inside Yakushiji; respect the nearby work and residential setting when arriving or taking photographs.
Coffee that changes with the beans
The prefectural profile describes a barista who selects beans for a limited coffee blend and changes the combination with the season, then grinds and hand-drips each order. It frames the coffee as something whose flavour varies with origin and harvest conditions, rather than a fixed signature recipe. The profile lists a Yemen city roast from ¥300, but it does not show when that price was last checked, so treat it as historical menu context and confirm today's price and bean selection before ordering.
Bread and chiffon cake made on site
The same prefectural page says the adjoining Piccolo bakery makes breads each morning, including sweet and savoury varieties, and that bread is available for both eating in and takeaway. It describes chiffon cakes made with produce from the operator's own cultivation, including a whole-orange cake in its feature. Those are the products highlighted by the official directory; the current daily bake, flavours, ingredient list, allergens and remaining stock are not guaranteed. Ask the staff about ingredients and availability before purchase.
A small terrace beside the river
Nara Prefecture describes an open terrace along the Akishino River and notes the cherry-lined path in spring. The setting is a pleasant contrast to the stone and temple precincts nearby, but blossoms depend on the year and the weather, and a riverside view does not guarantee a seat outside. The official directory lists four table seats and twelve terrace seats. The café is small, so allow for limited indoor seating and ask staff which area is open on your visit.
Understand the operator and visit respectfully
Komadorikai's current official site identifies its Nishinokyo address and describes support services and work programs; Nara Prefecture's café listing names the corporation as Catfish Café's operator. The café is presented as a place serving coffee and baked goods to visitors and neighbours. Guests should treat employees and people using the adjoining facilities as private individuals: do not assume anyone is available to explain the welfare program, and ask before taking photos of staff, customers or activity areas.
Plan for the weekday opening window
Nara Prefecture's listing currently gives 09:00–16:00, Saturday and Sunday closure, four indoor table seats, twelve terrace seats and two free parking spaces. Because the page does not display a recent revision date, these details should be confirmed with the operator at 0742-30-6196 before a dedicated trip. The prefectural page estimates an eight-minute walk from Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station. The address-level map pin is approximate; use the café's street address and local signs for the final approach.
What to look for
Seasonally selected, hand-dripped coffee described by Nara Prefecture
Morning-baked breads and chiffon cake from the adjoining Piccolo bakery
Small terrace by the Akishino River near Yakushiji
Photo notes
No image-use licence for MyNara was verified. Ask before photographing the barista, staff, customers, bakery work or adjacent welfare facilities. Keep the river path, station approach and facility entrances clear; do not photograph people in a way that exposes their use of support services.
Make a day of it
Explore guides close to this map point, then check the actual route before travelling. Distances below are straight lines, not walking distances or travel times; map points may not be entrances.
Sources & editorial status
Original MyNara draft based on the linked sources. Sources reviewed 20 October 2026. Opening arrangements, prices and offers may change; use the operator's current information before travelling.