There are number of souvenir shops in the city of Kyoto, but they all sell the same old things. Matcha, Japanese goods, traditional craft, and all the other regular souvenirs, so the choice will be limited.
For your next holiday to Kyoto, why don’t you try some new sensational Wagashi (Japanese Sweets) of Kyoto?
There’s a lot of new sweets shop opening in Kyoto, produced by popular shops, and long established shops. These sweets are arranged in the way that they still have the remains of Japanaese sweets, and on top of that, they made it so it is a bit modern. It is getting popular amongst the younger generations now!
When you’re having trouble looking for good souvenirs, check out the 5 shops listed below.
Contents
- 1 1. nikiniki (Shijo Kawaramachi／Kyoto Station)
- 2 2. Kyohayashiya Sanjo Store (Sanjo Kawaramachi)
- 3 3. Crochet Kyoto Store (Shijo Kawaramachi)
- 4 4. Kakao365 (Gion／Kitayama)
- 5 5. Ohakoya Souka (Gosho South)
- 6 6. Tsuruya Yoshinobu IRODORI (Kyoto Station)
- 7 7. UCHU wagashi (西陣／御所東)
- 8 8. satomi fujita by KAMEYA YOSHINAGA (Karasuma / Kawaramachi / Kyoto Station)
1. nikiniki (Shijo Kawaramachi／Kyoto Station)
Website：http://www.shogoin.co.jp/
Map : Google Map
Fresh Seasonal Wagashi (2 serves from 400 yen)
The most classic souvenir from Kyoto, “Yatsuhashi”. This shop nikiniki is a new Yatsuhashi brand produced by, “Shogoin Yatsuhashi Main Store” which is one of the long established stores of Yatsuhashi and is also said that Yatsuhashi originated from here.
Yatsuhashi is a Wagashi / cookie made of rice flour and cinnamon. Yatsuhashi occupies well over 50% of Kyoto’s souvenirs. Yatsuhashi used to be baked in the shape of “Koto”, a Japanese string instrument, which has a beautiful arch shape. However these days, the Yatsuhashi with a sticky texture called “Nama Yatsuhashi” is also very popular.
“nikiniki” serves the traditional Yatsuhashi in a very special way.
The most recommended one is the Seasonal Wagashi. The cute design tickles your inner female mind.
The design starts from pretty seasonal flowers, to umbrellas in the monsoon season, watermelon for summer, and some seasonal traditions are also included.
There’s also a pumpkin lantern in the Halloween season, Santa Claus and reindeer in Christmas, and so on.
The classy packaging with smooth green colour and the simple logo is also what attracts people.
There’s two stores in Kyoto. One in the biggest city in Kyoto, Kawaramachi, and next to the Shinkansen station in Kyoto Station. The location is just too good as well!
The used by date for fresh Wagashi are for that day only. Just be careful because it’s so popular that it usually runs out of stock. There’s a lot more sweets other than the fresh ones so please check it out.
2. Kyohayashiya Sanjo Store (Sanjo Kawaramachi)
Website：http://www.kyo-hayashiya.com/
Map : Google Map
Matcha Milk Powder (1,296 Yen GST incl.)
The next shop “Kyohayashiya” is a long established tea store in Uji, Kyoto which was the first store that started to sell parfait using matcha. They have kept the tradition, and they serve teas the way they did back in the days.
Nowadays, matcha sweets are pretty common to see and eat, but back in the days matcha was only used in tea ceremonies. Using matcha in sweets was an avant-garde approach.
To make it more casual, this store came up with matcha milk, where they added milk into matcha and made it a bit sweeter.
The subtle bitterness of the matcha and the mild and sweetness of the milk is a perfect match!
Relax with hot, refresh with cold.
This Matcha Milk Powder allows you to enjoy that feeling at home.
All you do is pour milk over the powder and the tasty matcha milk is all yours. The fact that you can enjoy this anytime anywhere, it is great for souvenirs as well as for your own.
You can buy this at the shop front of a cafe in Kawaramachi Sanjo, so you can enjoy your matcha milk in the store and then buy the souvenirs at the end.
It’s in a semi retro, semi modern can, so it’ll be a fantastic gift for girls.
For those of you thinking “It’s just too stereotypical to buy matcha sweets for Kyoto’s souvenir…” how about a sweet matcha drink?
3. Crochet Kyoto Store (Shijo Kawaramachi)
Website : http://crcht.com/
Map : Google Map
Assorted Kyoto Candies (from 540 Yen)
“Crochet” was born from a candy workshop that has been established for 130 years.
The candies here are made with the traditional skills that has been passed down by tradition, as well as combining some modern essence which makes it fine and beautiful piece of artwork that creates these candies.
It’s a completely new style of Kyoto Candy where it has combined the European skill of perfecting the last touch for an elegant appearance and the Japanese skill of pursuing the delicate flavour.
The shiny surface, just the right tone, and the flavourful taste. These three factors harmonising in the best way, only a skilled confectioner can create such piece.
It glows as if it’s a diamond.
Every girl will definitely be admiring this creation.
The shop layout is very simple, with always 30 different candies laid out in the shop front including seasonal ones. All these have stylish names like “Shiraginu-Temari”, “Kotohogi”, “Shion”, and “Kiritake-Byoubu”.
These colourful candies have different flavours according to their colour.
There’s Japanese flavours like matcha, black sugar, and yuzu, as well as modern style flavours such as lemon and lime, raspberry, and peach soda. You can try a little taste if you ask the shop assistant.
The candy also has meaning for each one, and there is an explanation inside the wrapping box.
The shop is located in the Kawaramachi area, so it is easy to access while on a tour or shopping.
4. Kakao365 (Gion／Kitayama)
Website : http://www.malebranche.co.jp/chocolatory/
Map : Google Map
Kakao365 (2pcs 972 Yen (GST incl.))
What if we raise something born overseas in Japan, like chocolate… This thought has created this shop “Kakao365”. It is a new shop produced by the popular sweets shop “Malebranche” in Kyoto.
“Malebranche” in Kyoto has varieties of different sweets starting form half baked sweets and baked sweets, to a popular souvenir style sweets such as Western and Asian fusion matcha sweets, but Kakao365 specialises in chocolates.
Inside this Modern Japanese style shop, varieties of chocolate are lined up nicely, which will remind you of Kyoto.
Within the selection, the chocolate with its own shop name “Kakao365” is the most notable. (Gion Shop exclusive).
This chocolate has crest that resembles Kyoto’s seasonal tradition engraved on it, so it is a special chocolate where there’s not a single day with the same crest engraved. Even on the box, a different wrapping paper is used every day.
There is all 365 crests displayed within the store.
Ohigashi Chocolate (1620 Yen (GST incl.))
If you want to pursue Kyoto even further, there is “Ohigashi Chocolate”, which represents the world of Wagashi.
The different designs by the season is so cute!
It’s Wagashi on the outside, but chocolate inside, so for those of you thinking, “I would really love to buy Wagashi, but it might not be a good idea because it is unusual…”, there’s nothing better than Kakao365.
Either of them are available at the main store in Kitayama or the Gion store. When visiting the Gion store, keep an eye out for the buildings that once used to be housings in the Hanamachi.
5. Ohakoya Souka (Gosho South)
Website : http://www.ohako.co.jp/
Map : Google Map
Ohako(453 Yen (GST incl.)〜)
This shop is one of the stores of “Hanase”, which is a brand that makes general goods, plates, dishes, interiors, etc. and this one is specialising in making a woodcut paper box, “Ohako”.
“Ohako” is a little box of sweets with lithographs on the outside.
Inside this “Ohako” you can choose from Black Bean Chocolate, which is black bean coated with kinako chocolate, Black Konpei, which uses buckwheat berries and tastes like brown sugar, and Matcha Beans, which is peanut coated with matcha milk.
The lithograph on the box is just amazing!
There’s varieties of different motif of Kyoto’s season, events, history, and stories. It’s lithograph is very stylishly designed, which feels like there’s something modern element within the Japanese atmosphere.
The size is perfect for a small gift! It is also fun to think about the person and buy the right design according to each person!
It also has designs of Shrines and tourist place, so it’s also a good idea to buy the design of your favourite sight and make it something memorial.
As the design changes every week, every season, and new designs released on a regular basis, you can also start collecting different designs every time you visit Kyoto.
The shop is located in a walking distance from Kyoto Gosho. The closest stations are Kyoto Shiyakusho Station on the Subway Tozai Line, or Jingu-ji Marutamachi Station on the Keihan Railway.
6. Tsuruya Yoshinobu IRODORI (Kyoto Station)
Kohaku Tou(1,080 Yen for 10 (GST incl.))
Tsubara(648 Yen for 3／1,296 Yen for 6 (GST incl.))
Website：http://www.turuya.co.jp/
Map : Google Map
This long established confectionary shop “Tsuruya Yoshinobu” has been maintaing the tradition, yet pursuing new flavour to the shop.
While they still make their famous confectionary like “Kyoukanze” and “Yuumochi”, which was created 100~150 years ago, they are continuously creating new kind of sweets that goes with the trend of the time without getting trapped in their concept of the preconceived idea.
The “Tsuruyayoshinobu IRODORI” was opened from the thought that they want people that aren’t familiar with Wagashi get to know the charm of it. It is very easy to access at the star or end of your journey as it is located near the Shinkansen Entrance, Kyoto Station Hachijou Exit.
The inside, designed by a Washi Designer, is based on Japanese atmosphere. Along with the classic Tsuruyayoshinobu’s Wagashi, this store also sells IRODORI limited products.
Our recommendation is the “Kohaku Tou” that looks just like pastel coloured chalk. Kohaku Tou is a traditional Wagashi that is made from agar and sugar. It has got a interesting texture where it is hard on the outside, but soft on the inside.
You’ll be fascinated by the unique fatty and icy texture, and the delicate use of colour. It is available in 5 different flavours such as, jasmine, camomile, lavender, etc.
Also check out the famous “Tsubara” where they wrap their sweet bean paster with pastry.
The soft texture of the pastry and the seasonal 3 different sweet bean paste, coarse red bean paste, matcha red bean paste, and strawberry red bean paste, just harmonises perfectly in your mouth.
The store also operates as a cafe, so after you have decided your souvenir, it is time for you to sit down and enjoy some Anmitsu (Small pieces of agar jelly served with sweet black sugar syrup), and matcha parfait.
7. UCHU wagashi (西陣／御所東)
Kyoto Monogatari (1,080 Yen for 10 (GST incl.))
ochobo chai (1,080 Yen for 10 (GST incl.))
UCHU wagashi：http://www.uchu-wagashi.jp/
Map : Google Map
The concept of “Wagashi, making people excited and happy”, the Wagashi store “UCHU wagashi” creates new style of Rakugan, a hard candy, focusing on the presentation.
There’s 2 stores in Kyoto, the main store in the Nishijin area, and the Teramachi store in the Gosho area.
Both stores have renovated an old housing in Kyoto. Inside the stores, there’s not only Wagashi for eating but Wagashi to enjoy with your eyes.
They are made from strictly selected ingredients and traditional Japanese sugar “Wasanbon”. Wasanbon is a sugar which has characteristics like a mild brown sugar flavour, and the texture where it feels like it melts in your mouth.
This Wasanbon and the combination of carefully selected ingredients, with everything handmade, their Rakugan is on another level to others.
The presentation of this Rakugan is just too cute to eat!
“Kyoto Monogatari” is especially good for souvenirs of Kyoto.
Kyoto’s famous sceneries such as Kiyomizu Temple, Heian Shrine, and Kamo River is designed on the surface of Rakugan.
The cute spherical shaped bite size Rakugan, “ochobo”, has a nice sweetness and you’ll feel it melting in your mouth.
As well as the classic flavours Jasmin Tea, Roasted Green Tea, and Matcha, Autumn / Winter season will introduce you the “ochobo chai” which has 5 different spices in the tea and milk flavoured “ochobo”.
In Teramachi store, they also sell “fukiyose” which consist of a popular designed Wasanbon and colourful Konpeito (a small sugar candy covered in bulges).
8. satomi fujita by KAMEYA YOSHINAGA (Karasuma / Kawaramachi / Kyoto Station)
marron (1,296 Yen for 9 (GST incl.))
Anmitsu / Mitsumame (1,512 Yen for 9 (GST incl.))
Website : http://kameya-yoshinaga.com/
Map : Google Map
One of the high standing Wagashi store “Kameya Yoshinaga” has been around since Edo Period. The signature Wagashi from establishment “Ubatama” has been loved by everyone for over 200 years.
This long established store with a deep tradition has collaborated with the patissier Satomi Fujita who’s been working as a patissier in Paris. “Satomi Fujita by KAMEYA YOSHINAGA” creates sweets from fascinating ideas not stereotyping the Wagashi and European Sweets.
The most popular Wagashi is “marron”.
“marron” is small candy made from a puree of steamed chestnuts with whipped cream and rum, coated by rum infused agar jelly.
It is a masterpiece where you can accomplish the rich taste of the chestnuts
“Anmitsu / Mitsumame” is as it sounds, it’s a classic Agar jelly Wagashi “Anmitsu”, and “Mitsumame” (sweetened red beans).
It imitates Mitsumame by making red peas, and mandarin jelly with Turkish delight and vanilla beans in it, into a jelly with agar. By putting coarse red beans and milk mousse into the brown sugar agar and Uji Matcha agar, it represents the Anmitsu flavour.
Other than the above two, so many different types of sweets is available. A baked Wagashi with cream cheese and parmesan cheese added into the cream red bean paste, and kinako ganache between sponge cake dough like a sandwich. The refined packaging design is also very attractive.
The main store in Shijo Omiya is accessible by foot from the Karasuma Station on Hankyu Train, or Shijo Station on the subway. It is also available in JR Kyoto Isetan, Kyoto Takashimaya, and Tsuruya Nobunaga section in Kyoto Daimaru so it is very accessible!
Did you find anything that tickled your curiosity?
Every Wagashi is very imaginative and has a playful mind! Surely people will be happy with such cute and stylish souvenir.
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