Master of Paths
Excited by innovative visuals and flavors: 6 new Japanese sweets shops in Kyoto led by the new generation

Kyoto's wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) reflect the changing of the seasons and the time of year with their beautiful colors and shapes. A new wind is now blowing into this world. While still following traditional methods, creative ideas are being used to create a succession of uniquely visual and flavorful sweets. Some flavors go well with alcohol, while others stimulate new sensibilities when eaten. We introduce six stores that offer what could be called "neo-wagashi" sweets that are an evolution of this genre.

Enjoy the colorful beauty of imperial culture through cute Japanese sweets

"Wrapped rice cakes" are 260 yen each. The bear-shaped "Itotachi Monaka" are 350 yen and up, and seasonal and event-limited versions are also popular.
"Wrapped rice cakes" are 260 yen each. The bear-shaped "Itotachi Monaka" are 350 yen and up, and seasonal and event-limited versions are also popular.

Near the World Heritage site Ninna-ji Temple. The owner, who used to be a member of a long-established Kyoto confectionery store, opened this shop in a quiet residential area. Among the popular products, such as high-quality fresh confections that reflect the changing seasons and "warabi mochi that's so soft you could drink it," the most eye-catching item is the colorful "wrapped mochi" inspired by the color scheme of Heian period costumes. The two pale colors of the layered dough are reminiscent of the uiro from Nagoya, the owner's hometown, and the chewy texture is exquisite. It goes perfectly with the smooth bean paste inside and the white miso and kinako. The bear monaka sitting next to it is decorated like an icing cookie using the traditional technique of surimitsu. The bean paste is accented with brown sugar and Ikkyu-ji natto, making it a unique treat. It's also fun to see the New Year's special zodiac and Halloween versions, which could be a good opportunity for children to become familiar with Japanese sweets.

Omuro Japanese Sweets Ito Tatsu
  • URLhttps://itotatsu.com
  • 住所5-17 Tonoshitacho, Ryoanji, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスAbout 4 minutes walk from Myoshinji Station on the Keifuku Electric Railway Kitano Line
  • 営業時間10:00～17:00
  • 定休日Wednesday and Sunday
  • TEL075-203-6243
  • 駐車場none

Eco-friendly bottled products are also stylish. Give a Japanese parfait as a gift.

The attitude of promoting plastic-free is also new. "Karufe - Matcha -" 648 yen, etc. Mitarashi dango, kudzu skewers in summer are also available.
The attitude of promoting plastic-free is also new. "Karufe - Matcha -" 648 yen, etc. Mitarashi dango, kudzu skewers in summer are also available.

Sweet and juicy fruits are said to be the origin of Japanese sweets. Kato incorporates this into their Japanese sweets, creating flavorful, seasonal, and gorgeously visually appealing sweets. For example, their summer sweet Mizumari, made with agar, is made with plenty of lychee juice and scented with rose and champagne. Their An-dama, which lets you enjoy the bean paste itself, combines white bean paste with cranberry and mascarpone. The most popular is the bottled Japanese parfait, Karufée. It consists of three layers of seasonal fruit, yokan, and panna cotta, and in addition to the classic Unshu mandarin orange and matcha, in the fall they also offer pistachio x shiratama anmitsu-style, and shine muscat x strawberry x raspberry yokan. The sweetness and sourness of the fruit dominates, and the sugar content is low, so it is recommended even for those who don't like traditional sweet Japanese sweets.

Kahou (Kahou)
  • URLhttps://kahou.kyoto
  • 住所67-99 Nishinokyo Shojicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスAbout 5 minutes walk from Nijo Station on the JR and Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Lines
  • 営業時間10:00～18:00
  • 定休日Tuesday
  • TEL075-821-0155
  • 駐車場none

Sweets with a story that reflect the maker's sensibility

On the left is "Antonio and Lara" for 940 yen. On the right is "An'yado", named after Mori Ogai's beloved daughter, for 470 yen, which is available around the anniversary of his death in July.
On the left is "Antonio and Lara" for 940 yen. On the right is "An'yado", named after Mori Ogai's beloved daughter, for 470 yen, which is available around the anniversary of his death in July.

The shop is run by a woman who honed her skills at a long-established confectionery shop and opened it with her husband, a chef. The confections she makes appeal to the five senses, depicting the beauty of the world of changing seasons and casual moments with the melty flesh and dripping juice of seasonal fruits, and the aroma of herbs and liqueurs. Each confection has a story-telling name, such as "Morning Coolness," "Grass Labyrinth," and "Shin Shin Shin," inspired by literature, paintings, and music from all over the world, past and present. Her signature work, "Antonio and Lara," is inspired by Andersen's novel "The Improvisator," translated by Mori Ogai. The poet Antonio's turbulent life is depicted with a rich burnt caramel bean paste, and the blind girl Lara's hidden passion is depicted with a sweet and sour tropical bean paste. The refreshing taste of the herbs, the sweet scent of the petals, and the silky texture of the confections all combine to bring the story's scenes to life even more vividly.

Confectionery shop
  • URLhttps://www.instagram.com/kashiya.nona/
  • 住所Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Shimogyo Ward, Saigai-dori, Manjuji-no-Kan Shinoya-cho 75 MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 9 minutes walk from Gojo Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line
  • バスアクセスAbout 3 minutes walk from Kyoto City Bus "Horikawa Matsubara" or "Horikawa Gojo"
  • 営業時間12:00-18:00 (closes when sold out)
  • 定休日Sunday and Monday
  • 駐車場none

Taking over the baton, adding a light flavor

The round mini ohagi come in eight varieties on weekdays and 12 varieties on weekends, ranging from standard to seasonal flavors such as yuzu lemon. Prices start from 220 yen.
The round mini ohagi come in eight varieties on weekdays and 12 varieties on weekends, ranging from standard to seasonal flavors such as yuzu lemon. Prices start from 220 yen.

Gion's "Kotafuku" is a shop selling colorful bite-sized rice balls that has been loved by local sweet-tooth lovers. The proprietress closed in 2021 due to her advanced age, but the daughter of a familiar tofu shop inherited her taste and passion and reopened the following year. In addition to the classics such as bean paste and green laver directly taught by the proprietress, they also offer unusual varieties that combine herbs, spices, white miso, etc., with the owner saying, "I want to convey my grandmother's playfulness in my own style." All of the flavors, such as salty ancient rice, roasted green tea latte, pistachio, and the refreshingly spicy "coconut and pink pepper," go well with the glutinous rice and bean paste cooked to a fluffy and shiny finish according to the proprietress' recipe. The small size is also adorable, making it perfect for a snack break during your trip.

Gion Ohagi Kotafuku
  • URLhttps://otafuku-ohagi.com
  • 住所51-4 Shimobentencho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 12 minutes walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line
  • バスアクセス1 minute walk from Kyoto City Bus "Higashiyama Yasui"
  • 営業時間11:00～17:00
  • 定休日Mondays, Tuesdays, and other irregular holidays
  • TEL090-7908-5111
  • 駐車場none

The richness of the nuts is the key. A crispy and fragrant evolved version of Monaka

"Tanemi" is a simple monaka with three kinds of nuts, priced at 250 yen each. You can also fill it with your own bean paste and eat it as a gift.
"Tanemi" is a simple monaka with three kinds of nuts, priced at 250 yen each. You can also fill it with your own bean paste and eat it as a gift.

In the world of Japanese sweets, the "seeds" of monaka refers to the shell. But did you know that these are baked by specialized craftsmen and delivered to various confectionery shops? Taneyoshi Shoten is a specialty store of monaka seeds that has been in business for over 70 years. They are known for the taste of their carefully hand-baked products made using only high-quality glutinous rice. They sell their original monaka at a store attached to their workshop, saying, "We want people to know how delicious this simple treat is." Their "Tanemi" seeds are characterized by baked seeds made with various nuts, and they offer three types: "Peanuts" and "Amondon," which have bitter caramelized "walnuts," and "Peanuts" and "Amondon," which have the richness and saltiness of homemade organic nut butter that enhances the bean paste. They fill the bean paste after you order, so you can enjoy the crispy texture of the seeds and the fragrant flavor that fills your mouth.

Tanekashouten
  • URLhttps://taneka.jp
  • 住所Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City...
  • アクセスAbout 3 minutes walk from Karasumaoike Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line
  • 営業時間11:00～17:00
  • 定休日Thursday, Friday, Saturday
  • TEL075-201-3016
  • 駐車場none

Pop and artistic dried sweets that you can draw on the plate

"Drawing" - 834 yen - where you can combine pieces of traditional Rakugan sweets to create your favorite picture
"Drawing" - 834 yen - where you can combine pieces of traditional Rakugan sweets to create your favorite picture

"I want to make Japanese sweets that excite people living today. They will become a new culture 100 years from now." With this in mind, UCHU wagashi was launched in 2010 by its owner, a graphic designer. Among the unique products they offer, such as colorful fruit yokan that look like jewels, their signature product is the traditional sugar confectionery "rakugan." They offer a pop and playful take on the long-loved treat at tea ceremonies and as an offering. They also sell cute assortments with motifs of juicy fruit juice jellies, the picture book "Swimmy" in summer, and squirrels and acorns in autumn. They are particular about their careful handcrafting, and the deep sweetness of the high-quality wasanbon sugar and the smooth and elegant texture will soothe your mouth.

UCHU wagashi Teramachi main store
  • URLhttp://uchu-wagashi.jp
  • 住所307 Shintomicho, Teramachi-dori Marutamachi-agaru, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 7 minutes walk from Jingu-Marutamachi Station on the Keihan Oto Line
  • バスアクセスAbout 2 minutes walk from the Kyoto City Bus "Kawaramachi Marutamachi" stop
  • 営業時間10:00～17:00
  • 定休日Tuesday and Wednesday
  • TEL075-754-8538
  • 駐車場none
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