Kyoto Confections to Try

To say that the Japanese adore their sweets is a huge understatement, and Kyoto seems to be the champion of crafting anything with sugar. You can close your eyes and bump into a wagashi boutique, bakery, tea room, candy shop or French patisserie along any major road within this gorgeous ancient city. 

Credit: Kisshokaryo

The following brands are just a tiny sampling of what Kyoto has to offer:

A sister brand of the popular Sizuya bakery chain, Sizuya Pan only sells anpan, a small sweet bun with bean paste filling. Wrapped in hip and modern packaging, there are several unique flavors to swoon over. Oddly enough, the Cinnamon is my favorite as it contains a bite-sized dollop of mochi inside, which is then surrounded by a delicate layer of cinnamon-scented azuki paste. The thin outer bun layer is also lightly flavored, delivering a gorgeous mix of complementary textures, scent and flavor. Goma black sesame is another hit. There are two small outlets inside Kyoto Station and each anpan goes for about $1.80. Also, the regular Sizuya bakeries have a ton of amazing pastries at lower price points, but one can only eat so much! sizuya.co.jp

Marukyu Koyamaen has been producing award-winning matcha from the Uji region for over 300 years. The comprehensive tea selection is absolutely amazing (great for souvenirs), but don't miss the serene tearoom and garden inside the modest Nishinotoin retail shop. Try the iced matcha tea and matcha sponge cake roll set — you won't regret it. marukyu-koyamaen.co.jp

Honke Owariya, a 550-year-old soba noodle house, had its humble roots as a soba confectioner. You can get their crunchy soba wafers in a few flavors (matcha and black sesame are our favorites) as well as their rustic soba cakes with azuki paste. honke-owariya.co.jp

Credit: Honke Owariya

Located in the heart of the famed Gion district, Grand Marble resembles an exclusive jewelry store. Their speciality is a rich danish bread, which sorta tastes like a cross between a croissant and brioche bread. They offer over a dozen flavors at any given time and there are a few seasonal options. We tried the Love Combo (strawberry swirl and matcha). The packaging is beyond exquisite, reminding you of a certain French luxury brand. grandmarble.com

Credit: Grand Marble

Kisshokaryo offers housemade matcha milk jams, financiers, castella cakes, and much more. Take advantage of the upstairs tea room and order the Shiratama mochi. It's soooo good and refreshing on a hot day! The shop is tucked along a side street off the busy Higashi Oji Dori (walking distance from Yasaka Shrine) and the ladies working there are absolutely adorable. kisshokaryo.jp

Kisshokaryo.jp

Comments

[Carolyn Jung]

Those matcha cakes are simply stunning looking. Lucky you to have actually gotten to taste them.

[Tami]

Aren't they?? I wish I could get them here!