
The secret story behind the opening of a small pastry store in Kichijoin opened by a famous patissier...
January 25, 2024 open
Tsujiyama Kyuyo-do (Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto Prefecture) is a Japanese confectionery store that once stood by the approach to Muko Shrine. Founded in the Meiji era (1868-1912), the shop has continued for more than 100 years over four generations, and is said to have been well-loved by worshippers and local residents.
The restaurant, which closed about 20 years ago, reopened at a new location this year. The person who revived the shop is Yukiko Tsujiyama, great-granddaughter of the founder. Until last year, Yukiko worked at a bank, but her feelings changed when she had an encounter at work.
A customer came to the counter, saw my name tag, and said, "Are you Tsujiyama-san from that Japanese sweets shop? He said, "Tsuji󠄀yama-san is from that wagashi shop. Yukiko says, "I was thrilled that even though the store has been closed for quite some time, they were still nostalgic about the taste of the sweets.
The incident inspired him to take a leap of faith, but he was new to the world of making wagashi. After much trial and error and research based on a handwritten recipe from that time, he recreated the store's famous Genji-maki (Genji roll).
It is said that Genji-maki, which is made of yokan and rolled with white bean paste, was invented by the founder's great-grandfather. The previous yokan was only red, but we have increased the variety of colors, made it smaller in size, and made it less sweet. In those days, yokan was not sold in summer, and many people fondly remember that it was customary to buy it on the way home from visiting shrines on New Year's Day.
Ingredients for Genji-maki are characterized by sticking to traditional ingredients, such as white pomelo sugar, which takes time to dissolve and bring out its true flavor; high-quality string agar made from natural Japanese angelica; Hokkaido otegwa beans, essential for the flavorful white bean paste; and enzyme starch syrup made from Japanese raw materials. The yokan is colorful but without any coloring agents, and is colored only with natural ingredients.
The old "weighed" style of okaki is also back on the shelves, and many people buy it along with the Genjimaki. While Yukiko was talking, customers were constantly coming to the store, and it seemed that Genjimaki had once again won the hearts of the locals.
The June limited edition of the whirlpool mizumizuki is 250 yen each. Three types are available: brown sugar made from Hateruma brown sugar, green pea-studded uguisu, and Dainagon, a combination of Hokkaido Dainagon azuki beans and red bean paste.
Four standard types of Genji-maki (cut), 250 yen each. Red Genji with beet for color, Yuzu Zai with homemade yuzu jam, Green Kaguya with Uji green tea and roasted green tea, respectively, and Hoji
Ms. Yukiko Tsujiyama is the owner. After working for a financial institution for about 30 years, she renovated her parents' house where she was born and raised and revived her great-grandfather's Japanese confectionery store. Her friendly smile is impressive.
Over 600 interviews per year! An order site carefully selected by the editors who knows Kyoto and Shiga.
nowOfficial LINE friend registration500 yen OFF coupon is being issued!
Distributed every Friday morning at 8:00 am! From new restaurant information to event information that we want to share with you, We deliver articles about Kyoto that are useful to know. About 20,000 people have registered.Click here to add a friend!