Top Sweets to Try in Kyoto
Kyoto has a special place in my heart when it comes to sweets. Better than Tokyo! Kyoto takes traditional sweets to a whole new level. Whether you are vegan, dairy-free, or diabetic (like me), there is something for everyone’s taste buds.
Parfait (1)
Fruits (1)
Ice cream (3)
Crepe (1)
Matcha (1)
Traditional confectionary (2)
Popsicle (1)
Bring some snacks to your hotel!
(just in case you get low blood sugar)
Download my Google Maps here:
Parfaits
Oyatsu Koubou おやつ工房雅
9/10 stars
Local resident and content creator, Arisa @arisachw took me here when I visited her. It was one of the best locally made parfaits I’ve ever had. It was a little overpriced compared to others, but it is a work of art. Super aesthetic and tasty too!
It is a small shop with about 10 seatings.
We came here on a 15 min bus from Kyoto Station.
Reservations recommended on the weekends.
1800 yen = $12 usd
Arrow Tree Kyoto Sanjo
8.5/10 stars
This is a small shop that has two floors. This cake/parfait shop specializes in fruits. I stopped by in the middle of summer and it was melon season. It was so huge for one person, this was my lunch! There were a few individuals who came here alone to enjoy the seasonal peach and melon parfaits.
In Japan, there are red-orange melon and green melon available. You can try both if you order this parfait!
Ice Cream
(THISIS)SHIZEN
This is the viral ice cream that everyone is raving about on Instagram. It’s quite pricey, but worth it!
What is it made out of exactly?
The topping is made out of Shiro an (white bean paste). For those that don’t like Azuki, try this!
Shiro an or white bean paste is a similar texture but less sweet than red bean. It wasn’t super sweet like how I expected. The bitter waffle cone pairs well with the vanilla ice cream inside.
The floral decorations on top change every season. I went when it was autumn, so they had momiji leaf motifs. You can also choose up to three colors for the roses.
The store environment is very aesthetic with a nature concept. They also sell potted plants.
I came here with aesthetic Japan-based creator, @franklinthewoman and we chatted about our dreams, our challenges on social media and what the next steps were for the near future.
1800 yen = $12 usd
Fushimi Inari Shrine
On the left, there is a tea house overlooking the garden. There is table seating as well as outdoor seating for those who just want to enjoy ice cream.
I forgot to note this shop, but once you pass the entrance of the shrine and go through the food stalls, keep sticking to the left side and turn left when you see a bunch of fox statues.
Ninenzaka 二寧坂
This is a black espresso soft serve. I thought it was interesting because it was black. It made my teeth and tongue black!
We took a bunch of funny pictures with black mustaches and it was a funny memory to look back at.
Crepe
Yojiya Kyoto Cafe
is located in Sagano-Arashiyama, which is a famous tourist spot of the Bamboo Forest, Kimono Obi Forest, and rows of restaurants, gifts shops, kimono rentals etc.
Yojiya is a famous cosmetic company that started in 1904 during the Meiji period.
Their most popular product, blotting paper”aburatorigami” was first released in 1920, and quickly became popular with geisha as well as stage and screen actors for its superb ability to absorb excess oil without smearing makeup. It’s iconic face is the face of a timeless classic Kyoto woman of the entertainment era.
About the brand: Official website
Apparently, you don’t have to go all the way to Arashiyama to try this crepe or matcha latte with the Yojiya mascot face on it!
It’s also on the basement floor of Kyoto Station at Kyoto Porta. It’s a maze so good luck finding it!
YOJIYA CAFE Tea and Crêpe Kyoto Porta Shop
よーじやカフェ お茶のクレープ 京都駅前地下街ポルタ店
*Important: This crepe (above) seems to no longer be serving, but there is a new design you can check out at their website under the take-out menu. Yes, even if you dine-in, the crepe has to be ordered and eaten separately outside. These darn rules!
It was one of the best crepes I’ve ever had! Walk towards the station and you can see the Kimono Forest.
For the matcha lovers
Itoh Kyuemon - Uji Head Shop / Sabo
伊藤久右衛門 宇治本店・茶房
Go to Uji if you are a die-hard matcha lover.
It’s a little out of the way from central Kyoto, but it would be nice to get out of the hectic city.
Itoen is a major green tea manufacturer who overtook the tea industry. Uji is known for their best quality tea leaves that are still hand-picked by professionals.
At this restaurant, they also have matcha udon curry and matcha soba available. They will give you coupons after dining in at the register, so you can check out the gift shop. You can also use the coupons at Kyoto Station as well.
Google Map: Itoh Kyuemon - Uji Head Shop / Sabo | 伊藤久右衛門 宇治本店・茶房
Traditional Confectionaries
Fuka | 麸嘉 錦店
Most likely, you will be making a stop at Nishiki Market.
(Read this article for the best food items and items to avoid: Best Foods at Kyoto’s Nishiki Market/ coming soon)
Taiyaki: Fish shaped wheat cake with Azuki red beans. Size is small and you can finish it in two bites.
Fu Manju: Freshly steamed, Fu Manju is a popular item here! The outer layer was so thick! (Be careful, they might sell out towards the end of the day)
Nama-fu: Nama 生 means raw and fu 麩 means gluten. Nama-fu is vegan-friendly, fat-free, low-calorie, low-cholesterol and high in protein with calcium, zinc, magnesium, iron and more. Nama-fu is part of traditional tea ceremony cha-kaiseki 茶懐石 and Shôjin-ryôri, traditional Japanese Buddhist cuisine. Hana fu (the dried version) is used as decoration for miso soup or osuimono (Japanese clear soup).
How is Hanafu used? More info here
Note: There are only two seats inside. Luckily, we scored the table, and they gave us tea as well. I hope they expand to a bigger space!
Fukueido - Japanese Mochi and Jelly Desserts
福栄堂
One of the best mochi I’ve ever had! Not too powerful, but just the right amount of quality Azuki. Kyoto definitely makes this right. I don’t even like Azuki but I secretly didn’t want to share this with my mom.
There are benches inside and outside the store. It is located in Gion. This is a perfect stroll for dessert after dinner if you’re in Shijo and Gion area along the river.
Google Map: Fukueido - Japanese Mochi and Jelly Desserts | 福栄堂
Popsicle
You probably made plans to visit the Golden Temple, Kinkaku-ji, 金閣寺.
You can find this spot after you passed the Golden Temple on the mountain peak, right before you head downhill back to the entrance.
I got the best seller (the milky looking one). It was not sweet, but tarty enough to wake me up. I want to try the matcha one next time!
500 yen = $ usd
Vegan friendly!
You can also get ice cream with gold flakes near the entrance.
I will be adding more items to this list, so come back from time to time for updates!
If you’d like to share your amazing finds, please reach out using the contact form!
