"Although it may look plain, it definitely has a touch of elegance." This was the impression I had when I recently tried the refined sweet red bean paste at this place. The other day, while browsing the website of my favorite coffee specialty shop in Kyoto, Café Verdi, I noticed they were offering a gift set for Respect for the Aged Day that included a sweet treat along with their drip coffee bags. The treat in question is the signature sweet called "Shiborimame Kurodaiju," which I purchased at Honseindo, a shop located a short walk from Verdi. Honseindo is a well-known Kyoto establishment that specializes in elegant traditional Japanese sweets that highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients, and their red bean paste is even used in some items on Verdi's menu. The owner of Verdi always recommends pairing their coffee with the "Shiborimame Kurodaiju" as a perfect sweet accompaniment. This particular sweet is a type of sweetened red bean made from high-quality, large black soybeans from the renowned Tamba region, known for the best quality and flavor in Japan. These beans are slowly cooked to bring out a subtle sweetness and unique aroma, without the sugar coating typically found on sweetened beans. Although it's called sweet red bean paste, it differs from regular roasted beans by having a sweet taste. I had previously tried sweets at a nearby establishment called Charyo Hosen, but I had never paired them with coffee. When I tried the "Shiborimame Kurodaiju" at home with coffee (from Verdi), I found that its balanced flavor complemented the coffee perfectly without overpowering it. I realized once again that this delicacy is an elegant treat that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people. The "Shiborimame Kurodaiju" is not only suitable for Respect for the Aged Day, but it is also recommended for its long shelf life, simple yet refined taste. You can also find it at the Honseijo Kyoto Station store inside JR Kyoto Station, so if you have the chance, be sure to give it a try.

I went near Shimogamo Shrine and visited Hozen-Do Main Store. It is a famous traditional Japanese sweets shop in Kyoto. I bought Shimomoe and Kamo Aoi wagashi. Shimomoe is a wagashi made with nightingale bean paste. It is a delicious wagashi that combines soft dough with a fragrant nightingale bean paste. Kamo Aoi is a wagashi with a hard texture made from solidified sweet bean paste. It has a flavor reminiscent of a firm gold tsuba. It was also a wagashi with a new texture and taste that made me want to eat it again.

The tea room was closed, so I came here nearby. This place also has a calm atmosphere with traditional Kyoto-style sweets lined up, so I bought a few. Each representative sweet had a sample, making it easy to understand what kind of sweet it is. They were all delicate sweets with a gentle sweetness that was delicious to eat. Thank you for the meal. It was delicious.

Located in a residential area slightly south of Kitaoji Street, just north of Shimogamo Shrine, this quaint shop by a stream and bridge offers a charming atmosphere. They only offer takeout and do not have fresh sweets. I tried their specialty Akazaya mochi, which resembles Ajarimochi at first glance but is closer to imagawayaki or dorayaki, with a slightly thinner skin and plenty of chunky red bean paste. The lightly sweetened flavor allows you to fully appreciate the richness of the red beans. They also sell items individually, so why not pick up your favorites as a snack for your stroll?

Founded in 1952, this traditional Japanese confectionery shop is also the main store of "Saryo Hosei." The "Tsukinomiyako" (¥130) is delicious! It's a simple sweet made of red beans coated in crispy sugar. Despite its simplicity, it's incredibly tasty! The red beans used are from Tanba Dainagon, known for their refined sweetness and large grains. As they proudly call themselves the "Azuki Place," the deliciousness here is truly unique! Thank you for the meal!

■Visit Date: October 3, 2020■Items Ordered: Akazaya Mochi, Kamo Chestnut■MEMOVisited on October 3, 2020. After enjoying delicious Japanese sweets at Charyo Hoseisen, I visited this place. Located on the same street, towards the west. I purchased roasted salted beans that came as a palate cleanser after having Zenzai, as well as Akazaya Mochi and Kamo Chestnut. When you go shopping at a traditional Japanese confectionery in Kyoto, they serve you tea and sweets. This culture is truly delightful. After taking a break, I finished my shopping. It's a shop that provides attentive service and offers extremely delicious Japanese sweets. I definitely want to visit this shop again. It's added a new flavor to my list of Kyoto souvenirs. The Akazaya Mochi has a moist skin and a superb collaboration with the sweet bean paste, making it delicious. I also tried the Kamo Chestnut. It's a luxurious Japanese sweet with a sugar-coated exterior, sweet bean paste inside, and a whole chestnut in the center, showing great craftsmanship. The sweetness is just right, allowing you to savor the exquisite taste of the bean paste and chestnut. I enjoyed delicious Japanese sweets.■Blog Link: https://ay-style.net/?p=53787

On the way back from Kawayuka Kibune in Kyoto, I decided to buy some souvenirs. I searched on Tabelog for a Japanese sweets shop along the way back and found this place! The atmosphere inside the store is quiet and calm, and we were served cold tea and Japanese sweets right away. The atmosphere is such that you can't leave without buying something ('◇')ゞ I bought something called "Shibori Mame," which is like sweetened black soybeans. I will enjoy this at home. They also offer "Ice Flowers" that you can eat in the store, made with Tamba Dainagon adzuki beans. It's like a high-end version of Imuraya Azuki Bar, priced at 370 yen (excluding tax). It's quite a pricey ice cream bar. The part you hold with your hand is made of bamboo, which is a bit different. The taste is an elegant sweetness in the ice cream bar. When I got home, I enjoyed the sweetened black soybeans, which also had an elegant sweetness. I also bought Natto and Kuzu-cut sweets. If you want to buy elegant Kyoto-style Japanese sweets, this is the place to go. Thank you very much for the meal♪

There were reviews saying that the Kanazawa chestnut sweets were too sweet, so I was hesitant to try them. However, my mother, to whom I sent them as a souvenir, said they were delicious, so I decided to taste them myself. The verdict: delicious. They are indeed sweet, but when you cut them into small pieces and savor the flavor of the Japanese brown sugar, along with the taste of chestnut and red bean, you can't help but think, "Ah, I am enjoying a delicious treat." These sweets go perfectly with matcha, not sencha. They are a bit pricey, so you can't buy them casually, but I have found another sweet treat that I want to try again.

I sent a gift set to my parents and friends who live far away. They carefully listened to my preferences and created a very nice assortment. They were able to include dried sweets with a cherry blossom motif, adding a seasonal touch to the set. I forgot to take a photo. I also bought some black bean sweets and Kamo aoi for myself. The black beans were delicious as expected. Kamo aoi had mixed reviews, but I personally liked it. The level of sugar coating was just right, not too crunchy. However, all of them are quite sweet, so matcha is a must. I don't think they would go well with light sencha. Surprisingly, they might also pair well with coffee. I'd like to try the fresh sweets that they are not making due to the influence of the coronavirus next time.

At Kyoto Shimogamo, Takaraisendo's squeezed Tanba black soybeans have a pleasant flavor with a gentle sweetness that soothes. It's a guilt-free snack even while on a diet! The black bamboo basket is lovely and can also be used as a small item container. It's a perfect souvenir from a long-established Japanese confectionery shop.

Daizu and black beans were the main products, but they have opened a tea room near the main store and inside the Shinkansen station, and they are thriving. They maintain a certain quality, and when compared to beans from other stores, their pressed beans are well made, with subtle differences noticeable. It's not just about the beans being large, but rather the quality should be the focus. You can feel that the beans at this store have been carefully selected.

Hina-goromo for ¥480 ◎... The price is a bit high, but the refined and subtle sweetness is just right. It has a soft two-layered skin wrapped in white bean paste, and the cute colors reminiscent of the Hina Matsuri festival make it a great gift. There are 4 types of fresh sweets, as well as candies and others available.

A little north of Shimogamo Shrine, near the city bus stop in front of Rakuhoku High School, you will find the main store of Housei-do. Nestled in a quiet residential area, this shop blends in with the neighborhood and may not look like a traditional Japanese sweets shop at first glance. Upon entering through the creaking sliding door, you'll see shelves in front and to the right, neatly displaying the products. Instead of glass showcases, the items are arranged neatly on wooden shelves, allowing you to pick them up and take a closer look. When I asked the staff for recommendations, they mentioned the exquisite sweets made with the finest Tamba Adzuki beans and Tamba black soybeans. "Tamba Kuro" is a sweet made from black soybeans, and they also offer "Shibori Mame" packed in cute drawstring pouches using Tamba black soybeans. The "Miyako no Tsuki" has a thin sugar coating on the outside, revealing red beans inside. The heart-shaped "Kamo Aoi" is named after its heart-shaped design resembling an aoi leaf. All of them are elegant Japanese sweets. While waiting for my purchase, they served me tea and sweets. The table where they placed it is a large single board table on the left side as you enter the store. According to the staff, it is believed to be a single board aged 700-800 years. I sat at the splendid table, enjoying the treats while admiring the greenery outside. The flavors were not too sweet, and the taste of the beans was delicious. I left the place feeling completely satisfied. Highly recommended shop.

During a break in my food hopping, I stopped by here. From the name, you can probably tell that it's run by the same management as the famous Charyo Hosen. It might even be the main store. It's a nice Japanese-style restaurant! I wasn't very hungry, so I apologize for ordering just a small amount, but I bought two Tsu no Tsuki (170 yen each) and two Akazaya Mochi (170 yen each) to go (*^_^*). I didn't know it was a takeout-only shop until I arrived (^^;). It's a classy place. I like that Kyoto vibe. Sitting on a splendid wooden board, I was warmly served tea and tea sweets while waiting, which made me feel cozy ( ´∀`). I quickly enjoyed them and left. As for the taste, Tsu no Tsuki had a crispy surface and a moist red bean paste inside, surprisingly sweet. It probably goes well with tea. The Akazaya Mochi had a very chewy outer layer and a moist filling. I'm not good at describing, but it feels nice to be served tea and sweets at home (lol). When I come to Kyoto, I make it a point to visit traditional Japanese sweet shops for the experience, but I still have a lot to learn (*_*). I tend to eat the Akazaya Mochi before taking a picture... so, the image is only of the Tsu no Tsuki.

The richness of the beans, moderate sweetness, I'm hooked ♡