When you want to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and relax, or when you're hosting a home party with friends, a relaxing space and high-quality food and ingredients are essential. We'll introduce you to some of the hottest cafes and gourmet spots that opened last year. Visit stylish cafes and shops offering thoughtful gifts to enjoy a delicious meal this year.

■What does Kaikado, a Kyoto tea caddy maker with a long history, envision as its cafe? Kaikado Cafe: An entrance where you can experience traditional crafts.

Kaikado, a long-established tea caddy maker founded in 1875, has opened Kaikado Cafe in Kawaramachi, Kyoto. The interior, renovated from a historic building from the early Showa period, features a counter lined with rows of tea caddies, and terrace seating in the back where pleasant sunlight streams in. The cafe boasts coffee from coffee roaster Wani Nakagawa, and serves original blends from London tea shop Postcard Teas, gateau au chocolat from Kyoto bakery Hanago, and cheesecake from Cheese Garden in Nasu Highlands.

■World's first! Marni cafe opens at Hankyu Umeda. A look at the intriguing food menu and limited-edition products

Marni, popular for its vibrant flowers and unique textiles, has opened its world-first cafe, MARNI FLOWER CAFE, on the third floor of the Hankyu Umeda main store. The interior, decorated with miniature houses throughout, is filled with interior décor consistent with Marni's worldview, including painted sofas and colorful metal sheets. In addition to a food menu incorporating slow food culture, there is also a wide selection of sweets and drinks. Limited-edition products are also available for sale.

■Pierre Hermé Paris Aoyama Reopens; Enjoy Freshly Baked Desserts at "Heaven"

Pierre Hermé Paris Aoyama has reopened with a new interior and concept. The boutique on the first floor has an updated lineup, with viennoiserie and baked goods making their debut. The second floor is home to the haute patisserie experience space "Heaven," where you can experience exclusive desserts à la rachette (plated desserts) with seasonally changing themes. Enjoy exquisite sweets while listening to music selected by "NF," led by Sakanaction's Ichiro Yamaguchi.

■French organic supermarket "Bio c' Bon" and frozen food specialty store "Picard" open in Azabu Juban!

The French organic supermarket Bio c' Bon, making its first appearance in Japan, and the French frozen food specialty store Picard, opening its third store in Japan, have opened in Azabu Juban, Tokyo. Bio c' Bon is an organic supermarket born in Paris that stocks over 1,000 types of organically certified products, from food to household goods, and also offers prepared dishes and sandwiches in the deli corner. Picard offers a wide variety of menu items, with around 200 items on the menu, including aperitifs and desserts.

■Enjoy food in a casual atmosphere at Mitsukoshi Isetan's new store, "FOOD & TIME ISETAN"! Blue Bottle Coffee, long-established bakery Asanoya, and a salad specialty store

FOOD & TIME ISETAN, a lifestyle store with a food theme, has opened on the 3rd floor of Atre Shinagawa. The stylish space, inspired by New York, is home to nine shops, including a supermarket selling fresh, healthy ingredients, a food court & deli, a cafe, and a bookstore. In addition to Blue Bottle Coffee and Green Pan, a burger shop run by Karuizawa's long-established bakery Asanoya, Queens Isetan also offers a wide selection of souvenirs.