It is a famous confectionary representative of Kyoto. It is a semi-perishable sweet baked in a dough made of various ingredients, such as eggs, kneaded into a base of rice flour and filled with sweet red bean paste. It has been loved for more than 160 years, and its taste is well-known not only by tourists, but also by local fans who buy it on a daily basis.

Shelf life / 5 days at room temperature from the date of manufacture
[Excerpts of comments
The balance of dough, sweet bean paste, and sweetness is perfect! (46-60 / Tohoku, Hokkaido)
I always buy them because they are not too sweet and I can eat as many as I want. (60 years old or older / Kyoto)
It has a unique texture that is very tasty, and anyone will be pleased to receive it. (60 years old or older / Kyoto)
It is simply delicious and individually wrapped, so it is easy to distribute. The historical atmosphere of Kyoto is also good as a souvenir. (36-45 yrs old / Kinki)
[Actually, I recommend this too! [From the shopper]
Monaka (195 yen per piece) is a moderately sized and elegantly flavored item. Mildly sweet red bean paste made from Tanba Dainagon azuki beans is sandwiched between crispy and savory monaka dough. It is sold at the main store and Kinkakuji store for a limited time only (mid-September to May).

This is the signature product of the confectionery store "Kyoto Kitayama Mar Blanche", which boasts of its unshakable popularity in Kyoto. The tea leaves are carefully selected from the Uji and Shirakawa regions and baked using the pastry chef's delicate techniques.

Shelf life: 15 days at room temperature
[Excerpts of comments
They are tasty and easy to distribute. (36-45 yrs old / Chugoku/Shikoku)
It is elegant and Kyoto-like. (46-60 yrs old / Kyoto)
The tea has a good thickness. (46-60 / Kanto, Tokyo, Chubu)
It lasts a long time and goes well with both tea and coffee. (60 years old or older / Kinki)
[Actually, I recommend this too! [From the shopper]
Kitayama Honten Chef Cookies (735 yen for 5 cookies) are house-shaped cookies with the image of Kitayama Honten. The dough is made with a generous amount of high-quality, aromatic butter. The cookies are carefully prepared with a lot of time and effort, and have a soft and flaky texture.

When one thinks of nationally famous Kyoto souvenirs, the first thing that comes to mind is fresh yatsuhashi with anko (sweet bean paste). In addition to the standard Nikki, some manufacturers offer seasonal flavors or collaborative products, and the flavors that appear from time to time are fun to try. They are also reasonably priced and make great souvenirs or small gifts.

Shelf life / 12 days from manufacture (after opening, store in a cool place out of direct sunlight)
[Excerpts of comments
Because everyone knows it and it tastes good. (46-60 yrs old / Kyushu/Okinawa)
It is a standard item, but we are sure to be pleased with it. (60 or older / Kanto, Tokyo, Chubu)
The chewy texture is suitable for everyone. (46-60 yrs old / Kanto, Tokyo, Chubu)
Kyoto is the place to be. It tastes good no matter which maker. (60 years old and over/Kyoto)
[Actually, I recommend this too! [From the shopper]
The limited-time-only Seasonal Confectionary Series is popular. You can enjoy the seasonal flavors such as chestnuts in fall (680 yen for 10 packs) and cherry blossoms in spring (680 yen for 10 packs). The wrapping paper is decorated with the four seasons of the ancient capital, making it a perfect souvenir.

While the soft, raw yatsuhashi is good, the traditional baked yatsuhashi shaped like a kawara tile is also a firm favorite. The crispy texture and the simple taste and aroma of Nikki spreading in the mouth are addictive.

Shelf life / 60 days from manufacturing date
[Excerpts of comments
Because they are famous. (46-60 yrs old / Chugoku/Shikoku)
The taste is the same as in the past. (60 years old or older / Kinki)
Because it has been a standard item for a long time and I miss it. (60 or older / Kanto, Tokyo, Chubu)
Of course the fresh yatsuhashi is delicious, but the hard yatsuhashi is also surprisingly delicious with the aroma of nikki. (46-60 yrs old / Chugoku/Shikoku)
[Actually, I recommend this too! [From the shopper]
Nama-yatsuhashi (185g 300 yen) is also a must-try. It is delicious served with ice cream, and we also recommend wrapping it around cheese. The unique flavor of nikki and the rich taste of cheese are a perfect match and make a great accompaniment to a glass of wine.

A baumkuchen born in Kyoto and produced by Biju, a famous Otabe bakery. The baumkuchen is characterized by the two-color dough made of Uji matcha green tea and soy milk, and the sides are covered with matcha fondant, which is a sugar coating. The crispy texture of the matcha fondant is matched by the moist dough.

Shelf life / 10 days including the date of manufacture
[Excerpts of comments
Because it was delicious and looked beautiful. (46-60 yrs old / Kinki)
It is healthy because it uses soy milk. (26-35 yrs old / Kanto, Tokyo, Chubu)
I like the moistness of baumkuchen and the sweetness is just right. (36-45 yrs old / Kinki)
Because it has a gentle sweetness and is delicious. Because fondant is also very tasty. (46-60 yrs old / Kyoto)
[Actually, I recommend this too! [From the shopper]
The take-out Kyo-baamu soft serve (670 yen) is also recommended! Please enjoy the soft-serve ice cream on top of the cut Kyo-baamu, scooped with the attached yatsuhashi bridge. Available only at KyoBaamu Kiyomizu Store, KyoBaamu Arashiyama Store, and Otabe/KyoBaamu Kyoto Tower Sand Store.

The soft rice cake made of Shiga Haniue glutinous rice, salty red peas, and the refined sweetness of carefully cooked sweet red bean paste are in perfect balance. Fans come from all over Japan as well as the local area to enjoy the taste that has remained unchanged since the establishment of the shop.

Shelf life / Within the day
[Excerpts of comments
They are popular among Japanese confectionery lovers. (26-35 yrs old / Kinki)
It tastes good and there are no mistakes. (46-60 yrs old / Kinki)
It was the best Daifuku I have ever had. (46-60 / Kinki)
I can eat as many as I want. (36-45 yrs old / Kyoto)
[Actually, I recommend this too! [From the shopper]
We have a variety of seasonal products that we hope you will enjoy. In fall, we offer chestnut rice cakes (350 yen per piece), chestnut sekihan (mini 800 yen / small 1,200 yen), and other items to savor chestnuts.

It is one of Kyoto's most popular souvenirs, and is also a popular accompaniment to rice and other alcoholic beverages. The flavor varies widely from manufacturer to manufacturer, depending on the dryness of the potato, the size of the pepper grains, the intensity of the flavor, etc. Find your favorite. Find your favorite one.

Shelf life / 21 days from manufacturing date (keep in refrigerator after opening)
[Excerpts of comments
It goes well with rice. (60 or older / Kanto, Tokyo, Chubu)
The taste is unique to Kyoto. (60 years old and over / Chugoku/Shikoku)
I like spicy food. (46-60 yrs old / Kanto, Tokyo, Chubu)
The flavor of sansho (Japanese pepper) is delicious. (46-60 yrs old / Kanto, Tokyo, Chubu)
[Actually, I recommend this too! [From the shopper]
Chirimen Sansho is seasoned only with soy sauce and is not sweet, so it goes well with grilled rice, pasta, and cheese toast. Vegetable kelp (125g, 1080 yen) is another hidden gem, with an unrivaled flavor that is steeped in the deliciousness of the kelp.

The handmade "Anpone" is made from Shiga Prefecture's Habutae glutinous glutinous rice flour and sandwiched between a savory and crispy "monaka" skin and a sweet red bean paste made from Tokachi azuki beans and homemade cream with mascarpone cheese. In addition to the standard Grain An, there are also limited-time-only flavors.

Best before date/30 days from date of manufacture
[Excerpts of comments
The skin of the "monaka" was also crispy and really tasty. (26-35 yrs old / Kinki)
The cheese cream is the best. (46-60 yrs old / Kanto, Tokyo, Chubu)
The combination of the aroma of "monaka", red bean paste and mascarpone is superb. (46-60 yrs old / Chugoku/Shikoku)
The packaging is also stylish. Japanese and Western tastes are well combined. (36-45 yrs old / Kanto, Tokyo, Chubu)
[Actually, I recommend this too! [From the shopper]
An-dora (237 yen per piece) is another popular item! Rice flour is used for the dough, giving it a chewy texture. It is also delicious when arranged with fresh cream inside or the cheese cream that comes with the anpone.

A famous Nara pickles store established over 230 years ago. Originally a manufacturer of mirin (sweet cooking rice wine), the shop has been making its own unique Nara-zuke, which is characterized by its mild and tasty flavor. In addition to the standard cucumber, they also offer watermelon, daikon (Japanese radish), and ginger pickles.

Shelf life / 60 days at room temperature (store in a cool place out of direct sunlight)
[Excerpts of comments
It is delicious and crunchy. (60 years old and over / Chugoku/Shikoku)
It is easy to eat with no unpleasant taste. (60 years old and over / Chugoku/Shikoku)
If I eat this, I can't eat anything else. (46-60 yrs old / Kyoto)
It is a Kyoto-style sweet mirin-marinade pickles made from Nara-zuke, which has a long history, because it is a taste that can only be found in Kyoto. (46-60 / Kinki).
[Actually, I recommend this too! [From the shopper]
The Narazuke Butter Sandwich (2,376 yen) is a popular item that is "a delicious and unexpected encounter between Nara pickles and a butter sandwich. Since it is sold frozen, it has a long shelf life of 90 days. If you keep it in your freezer, it will come in handy when you need to entertain guests on short notice.

Wave-shaped cookies with a crispy texture and fun texture. Inside the cookie is a cream mixed with condensed milk, which gives the cookie a deep and rich flavor. The distinctive appearance represents a festive scene in which the shadow of a flying crane is reflected in the waves.

Shelf life / 20 days including the date of manufacture
[Excerpts of comments
Anyway, it is delicious. (46-60 yrs old / Kyoto)
It will please everyone. (26-35 yrs old / Kanto, Tokyo, Chubu)
The wave-shaped cookies and cream are exquisite. (60 and over / Kanto, Tokyo, Chubu)
The taste is mellow and delicious. It can be folded and eaten a little at a time, so you can enjoy the taste many times in one piece. (60 and over / Kanto, Tokyo, Chubu)
[Actually, I recommend this too! [From the shopper]
Hime Senju Senbei Organic Matcha (12 pieces, 1,620 yen) is a Kyoto-only product made with organically grown tea leaves from Wazuka-cho, Souraku-gun, Kyoto Prefecture. The balance between the sweetness and the original deep and delicate flavor of matcha green tea was adjusted many times in order to bring out the best in this product.

Thank you for reading this article. We would love to hear your recommendations for Kyoto souvenirs. All those who responded to our survey will receive a free gift from Kyoto's local gourmet food ordering site, "Kyoto Souvenirs".Leaf KYOTO mallYou will receive a $500 discount coupon code that can be used until December 31, 2024 at We are sincerely looking forward to your response!