At the Kyoto cafe (there are 12 outlets spread around the country), you are greeted by a selection of cakes inside a museum-like glass vestibule. And like a star attraction, it draws crowds (mostly, of "cooing" girls). You pick first, then order, then wait. Oh, but, the deciding is hard -- the range includes white strawberries, sweet potato, kumquat, yuzu, blueberries, cream, chocolate, Italian meringue.