食べ歩き研究員
"Wagashi shop 'Matsuya Tokiwa' in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City. Despite a current Tabelog rating of 3.65, 'Matsuya Tokiwa' ranks 422nd in the Tabelog ranking for Kyoto Prefecture out of approximately 22,000 establishments. It also holds the 35th spot in the Tabelog ranking for Kyoto Prefecture in the category of traditional Japanese sweets. I visited on a holiday around 3:20 pm for a takeout of their sweets. The shop is located east of Marutamachi Station on the subway, about a 4 to 5-minute walk from the station. Upon arrival and entering the shop, I was greeted by an elderly woman. There was no display of products in the showcase. This time, without a reservation, I purchased the 'Miso Matsukaze' for 900 yen (tax included). Payment was cash only, and the expiration date was about 3 days. If you want to ensure a purchase, I recommend making a reservation. - Purchased Item - ● Miso Matsukaze (small) 900 yen (tax included) I was able to enjoy a delicious sweet. It was slightly moist and had a somewhat sticky texture, which was distinctive. It was different from the 'Matsukaze' at the renowned store 'Kameya Mutsu.' Personally, I prefer the one from 'Kameya Mutsu.' In the Kyoto area, there are many longstanding stores in various genres. In terms of founding years, 'Kameya Mutsu' dates back to 1421, 'Kawabata Doki' to 1503, 'Kameya Seiei' to 1617, 'Kagizen Yoshifusa' to the Kyoho era, 'Kameya Yoshinaga' to 1803, 'Tsukimochiya Naomasa' to 1804, 'Surugaya Gion Shimozato' to 1818, 'Nakamura Tokichi Honten' to 1819, 'Mangetsu' to 1856, 'Gion Tsujiri Co., Ltd.' to 1860, 'Takehama Yoshiharu' to 1861, 'Daikokuden Honpo' to 1885, 'Imanishi Ken' to 1897, 'Smart Coffee Shop' to 1932, 'Kamehiro Nagi' to 1936, 'Maruki Seipanjo' to 1947, 'Shizuya' to 1948, 'Rokuyosha' to 1950, 'Maeda Coffee' to 1971, 'Takagi Coffee Shop' to 1976, and here at 'Matsuya Tokiwa' in the mid-1600s during the Sho'oh era. Kyoto Prefecture boasts many outstanding renowned stores, reflecting its rich culinary culture. There are numerous longstanding stores with high-level skills honed over their long histories. In such a prefecture filled with popular establishments, visiting 'Matsuya Tokiwa' and having a high-quality dining experience was truly meaningful. I look forward to learning from the wisdom of gourmet enthusiasts, expanding my knowledge, and deepening my experiences in the future."