This shop used to sell only by reservation. However, I decided to call ahead and reserve some items that caught my interest to avoid the risk of them being sold out. When I entered the shop, it was dark and empty, which might give the impression that it was closed. Inside, there were samples of sweets, tables, and chairs in a quiet atmosphere. We ordered what we wanted and added a sweet potato dessert. A man who came in after us had also made a reservation and was waiting for his matcha tea to be prepared. We took our sweets to go and enjoyed them later with green tea. The chestnut kuri kanoko had a rich chestnut flavor along with a soft texture. The smooth koshian filling had a delicate and refined taste. The jyoyokin kanoko was moist and had a slightly aromatic tsubuan filling. The white bean kimi shigure was delicate and crumbly with a subtle sweetness. Both sweets paired well with matcha tea. Lastly, the travel dango had a unique packaging design and contained black sugar-flavored sweets with a moist and slightly crunchy texture. They were not overly sweet and tasted great with tea. I would love to visit again to try other items and seasonal sweets.

I stopped by on my way back after cycling to Ohara. It was still early evening, and the popular "Yuubae" sweets were not sold out. I also found the beautiful chestnut wagashi that I had been wanting to try. Since I was on my bike, I was able to bring them home without them getting damaged. I placed them on my favorite small plate, and the visual beauty of the sweets was so captivating that I couldn't stop admiring them for a while. Just for reference, you can also enjoy these sweets inside the store, and they cost around 800 yen for two pieces.

I visited a Japanese confectionery shop next to the cold noodle restaurant that I had been curious about. Although many comments suggested making a reservation, I decided to drop by without one. Despite feeling nervous about the high threshold, the friendly young proprietress welcomed me and informed me that I could also eat in the shop. I enjoyed some Japanese sweets with matcha while gazing at the small garden, which made me feel relaxed. I also bought "Tabi Yatsu" as a souvenir, a confectionery that black sugar lovers would adore. I would like to purchase "Yuuba-e" on my next visit.

In February 2023, my companion and I visited a traditional Japanese confectionery near Daikaku-ji in Kyoto. This place was recommended to me by the breeder of my beloved dog P (now deceased), whom I used to call "the sister of Kyoto." I was given a few recommendations by her, and this particular shop has become one of my favorites. Although I had only visited once before, I have been ordering their sweets regularly since then. The main reason for this visit was to try a confection called "Tabi Yado," which was recommended by my Kyoto sister. We also discovered that they offer a tea and confectionery service, so we decided to sit down and enjoy some treats. We ordered "Warabi Mochi" and "Yuuba-e" (I apologize for forgetting the prices), both served with matcha. The "Warabi Mochi" came with two pieces of "Tabi Yado," which was a delightful surprise. The "Yuuba-e" had a smooth white bean paste filling and melted in the mouth with a refined sweetness. This was my first time trying Warabi Mochi with filling, and it was delicious. The "Tabi Yado" resembled round crunchy crackers but had a pleasant crunch and a sophisticated sweetness that lingered on the palate. It is perfect for gifting or enjoying at home. We purchased several bags to take home, and my companion was thoroughly satisfied. Thank you, Kyoto sister, for the recommendation. Namaste.

I found a cafe and confectionery shop along the route from Kamigamo Shrine to Imamiya Shrine. I came across a confectionery shop with a long history, established in 1947. It is said that many celebrities frequent this shop. Reservations are recommended. The shop has a quaint atmosphere and the staff were very polite and welcoming. I tried their sweets and matcha tea. The sweets were incredibly light and fluffy. The nerikiri was also delicious. I bought some treats as souvenirs. Although it's a bit out of the way, I definitely want to visit again.

⇒ Hidden gem in Kyoto! Introducing a rare traditional Japanese confectionery that only connoisseurs know about, made famous by Kimutaku's recommendation! * Order! ＊"Tabi Yado" 972 yen (tax included)… 3.3: This is the elusive Japanese confectionery that became extremely popular after Kimutaku mentioned it on TV as his favorite, making it hard to get your hands on. It has a soft, bolo-like texture coated with black sugar. The taste is familiar to everyone, but the texture is unique! It's not the kind of treat you can keep popping in your mouth, but enjoying it with hot matcha while gazing at the garden is a cozy experience. ＊"Yu-bae" 270 yen… 3.3: A completely new texture! It feels like gathering powdered snow and rolling it into a light, fluffy, and smooth treat that melts in your mouth. It has a nice sweetness without being too overpowering. ※"Wagimoko" 324 yen… 3.5: I actually preferred this one. The outside is "Yu-bae" with plum soaked in rum inside, giving it an adult flavor. Eating this after "Yu-bae" adds a nice change in taste with the plum inside, making it delicious. ＊"Warabi Mochi" 450 yen… 3.5: A treat with smooth red bean paste coated in real warabi (bracken) and dusted with kinako (roasted soybean flour). The red bean paste is incredibly moist and smooth, a texture I've never experienced before. I initially thought there was too little warabi mochi coating, but the overall balance was perfect when I tasted it. It was delicious. Conclusion: I highly recommend enjoying these confections with matcha. The synergy between them will exceed your expectations. My partner and I devoured everything. Thank you for your support with likes, saving the restaurant, and following. If possible, I would be delighted if you could recommend other great restaurants in the comments section. Thank you all for your continued support.

This time, I tried the specialty "Tabiyakko" from "Okuraya" in Kita-ku, Kyoto City. This baked confectionery uses plenty of black sugar from Hateruma Island, Okinawa Prefecture. It has a taste similar to the black sugar sweets I used to eat at the candy store as a child, and it was nostalgically delicious. This Tabiyakko was featured in a photo posted by Takuya Kimura on Instagram on December 5, 2021, and has become a popular item. Additionally, the shop was introduced on NHK's "Ee Toko" on December 9, 2021, so I want to try other products when I visit next time. Thank you for the meal.

I had a meal in the area of Kitaoji Street and received a souvenir from an acquaintance I met there. It was a specialty from a famous traditional Japanese sweets shop called Omuraya near Kitaoji Street. The souvenir was a sweet called Tabi Yatsu, which looked like a small Satsuma-age. It had a slightly moist bolo dough with plenty of brown sugar sprinkled on top. The shop has been in business since after the war and is currently run by the third generation. It's quite sweet. Thank you very much.

I visited a traditional Japanese confectionery shop called Mikuraya in Kyoto's Kita-ku area. The shop is beloved by cultural figures in Kyoto such as painter Domoto Insho and writer Setouchi Jakucho. They offer a limited selection of sweets mainly to their regular customers who make the effort to visit their shop in this quiet neighborhood. I purchased some wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) and enjoyed them at home. The sweets were recommended by various cultural figures, adding a special touch to the experience. The shop's signature wagashi, such as the Kameno, had a unique and refreshing taste, while the Kurikanoko featured a smooth sweet chestnut filling. Overall, I had a delightful experience and would love to visit Mikuraya again in the future to try their other popular sweets like Yube and Tabi Yado.

Whichever one you choose, they are all elegant and delicate Japanese confections that I fell in love with. The ones I received this time were cherry blossom mochi (domyoji), warabimochi, kintsuba, and white azuki bean yokan "Shirobikura yokan". They give a similar impression to the delicacy of Nara's Kashisha, but they are sweet yet not overly sweet, quiet Japanese sweets. I personally am most happy about the white azuki bean yokan, as it is not commonly found. The smooth texture with a subtle sweetness is just right. It has a unique deliciousness that is different from any other traditional Japanese confectionery, making Kyoto's sweets a variety of delightful flavors to enjoy.

Access is quite difficult from Kitaoji Station, so reservations are required in advance, usually 2-3 days before. The "yuba" is moist and tender, melting in your mouth. The quiet atmosphere of the restaurant is perfect for enjoying matcha. It's a calming place to visit anytime.

In Kyoto's northern region, there is a traditional Japanese confectionery shop located slightly east of the Omiya Kotsu Koenmae intersection, where Funaoaka Higashidori and Geni Dori intersect. Established in 1947, this shop features a beautiful tea house-style architecture designed by Nakamura Gaiji. The shop's signature item, called "Tabi Yado," has been passed down through generations, starting from the founder Gotou Tsunezo to the current owner, Yoshimi. This specialty treat is made by mixing wheat flour, sugar, and eggs, then generously coating it with black sugar from Taketomi Island, Okinawa. It exudes a sense of tranquility and nostalgia, reflecting the essence of Japanese aesthetics.

The Gokuraya shop is known for its handmade processes in almost all stages of their confectionery production. While some of their sweets can be purchased online, they do not have many physical stores. I visited their shop and found a selection of sweets displayed without price tags or descriptions. I chose the kinton, which had a smooth and creamy strained sweet bean paste wrapped in a slightly thick white bean paste. It was not made with white kidney beans, which was a nice surprise. The taste was elegant and not too sweet. They also gave me a bonus treat called tabiyado, which had a soft and slightly chewy texture with a gentle sweetness from the black sugar produced in Hateruma. The matcha tea served was easy to drink without any bitterness. Although not a place to linger, I would like to visit again in the future.

I visited "Okuraya," located about a 15-minute bus ride plus a short walk from Kitaoji Station. The nearest bus stop, "Omiya Daimoncho," is only about a 1-2 minute walk away. The exterior of the shop looks like a traditional Japanese confectionery shop in the city. Inside, there are only display samples in the showcase, giving it a luxurious feel. This confectionery shop mostly makes their products by hand, with no branch stores or department store outlets. They have started online sales, but I wanted to try their sweets on-site since I came all the way here. The sweets I tried this time were: - Kinnto (mashed sweet potato) with a light green color, filled with strained sweet bean paste. Both textures are smooth and go well with light tea. - Kuri Kanoko (sweet chestnut) with sweetened chestnuts filled with strained sweet bean paste. The paste seems to be the same as in the Kinnto. The chestnuts are on the sweeter side. Personally, I thought it would be nice if one of them had a slightly less sweet taste for a better balance of flavors.

I have always been interested in this traditional Japanese sweets shop. They had just the right amount of sweetness in their products. It was delicious.