Kyoto International Community House – kokoka

Highlight

Convivial garden and plaza surrounding Community House are great to relax in

Kyoto’s springboard to internationalization

This is a well known and widely used Kyoto facility that draws local and foreign residents together in communication going beyond nationality, race, religion and political preferences. Comprised of a three-story main hall and Japanese style annex called “kokoka”, the community house provides free access, use of services and support for those who want them. Some of the useful things available include a message corner where individual messages can be posted along with info on various international community events; a sister city corner where permanent displays include panels introducing Kyoto’s nine sister cities and their craft wares; a library room where visitors can use and peruse dictionaries in some 130 languages, picture books from 90 countries, and newspapers and magazines from around the globe; a community lobby; an open-air plaza and garden, and a cafe. And, as if these were not enough, there also is a restaurant offering mouth-wateringly good Japanese meals expressing the seasons they are created in. What is more, there is a great view of Higashiyama from inside the restaurant.