Kyoto is a popular city in Japan famous for the fantastic Japanese culture, history and natural landscapes it offers. There are also various souvenirs unique to Kyoto which embody the best of the Japanese spirit. Here are some of the best souvenirs you should get for your family and friends when in Kyoto!
Traditional Japanese sweets from Kyoto Yoshinoya
Kyoto Yoshinoya is a Wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) store that opened in 1925. There are various Wagashi available at Yoshinoya and among them is the Otogi Zoji where different types of Wagashi are sold in a box.
The Otogi Zoji are available in boxes of 9, 15 and 30. There are also other boxes with 16, 32 or 48 Wagashi inside. These Wagashi are designed to represent the nature in Japan. Cute and delicious, they are perfect as Kyoto souvenirs!
吉廼家 Kyoto Yoshinoya
Address: Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, Kita-ku Koyamahigashiono-cho, 54
Access info: 2-minute walk from subway Kitaōji Station, or city bus Kitaooji Bus Terminal bus stop
Opening hours: 9 am - 6 pm
Fixed holiday: No fixed holiday
Contact: +81 75-441-5561
50 choices of Wagashi from Takanoya Sadahiro
Takanoya Sadahiro is a Wagashi store that sells various sweets that illustrate the 4 seasons of Japan. From cute designs such as rabbits to beautiful ones like maple leaves, about 50 choices of Wagashi are available at Takanoya Sadahiro. The Hananoyoi box set allows you to choose any 15 Wagashi. These colourful sweets will definitely be loved by children and they have an expiry date of up to one month, making them perfect as souvenirs.
高野屋貞広 Takanoya Sadahiro
Address: 19-1 Kamitobatōnomori Shibahigashichō, Minami-ku, Kyōto-city
Access info: 15-minute walk from Kyoto Line Kamitoba Station Kintetsu or, an 8-minute walk from Kyoto City bus 18 Route Jizo before the bus stop
Opening hours: 9 am - 6 pm
Fixed holiday: nil
Contact: +81 75-662-6263
Chanoka from Malebranche: the best Matcha Lang de Chat
Malebranche is a café in Kyoto where you can enjoy various sweets such as soft cream and parfaits. There are also numerous souvenirs available there and one of the most famous ones is the Chanoka. Sandwiched between two Matcha flavoured Lang de Chat is a layer of white chocolate. The fantastic harmony of bitter biscuit and sweet white chocolate is fantastic! This gift is exclusive to Kyoto and will certainly be loved by your friends.
マールブランシュ Malebranche
Address: Kyoto-city, Kita Ward, Kamigamo Iwagakakiuchicho, 40
Access info: In front of Kitayama Botanic Gardens
Opening hours: 9 am - 8 pm
Fixed holiday: No fixed holiday
Contact: +81 75-722-3399
Matcha Crackers from Aozashikarari
Aozashikarari is a sweets store which is located in Kyoto Isetan building. It is most famous for the “Aozashikarari”, a cracker filled with paste. There are various flavours such as curry, Kinako (toasted soy bean) and the acclaimed Matcha flavour. There is also an Aozashikarari branch in Osaka, but this Matcha flavour is exclusive to Kyoto so make sure you get it there!
あおざしからり Aozashikarari
Address: Higashishiokōjichō, Shiokoji under Higashishiokoji Karasuma Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-city
Access info: 3-minute walk from Kyoto Station
Opening hours: 10 am - 8 pm
Fixed holiday: Irregular
Contact: +81 75-746-4761
Amazing roasted chestnut from Hayashi Mansyodo
Hayashi Mansyodo is a store opened in 1874 and their fantastic roasted chestnuts have been satisfying customers for over 140 years. The Tenshin Amaguri from Hayashi Mansyodo is served in a small bag and this portable sweet is great for a snack. It is also a great choice as a souvenir as you can heat the entire bag up with a microwave, allowing the roasted chestnut to be as good as fresh!
林万昌堂 Hayashi Mansyodo
Address: Kyoto-city, Shiogyo-ku, Shijō Street Teramachi east Nyuru Otabimiyamoto-cho, 3
Access info: 5-minute walk from Kyoto Line Kawaramachi Station
Opening hours: 10 am - 8 pm
Fixed holiday: New Year’s Day
Contact: +81 75-221-0258
Marvellous Yatsuhashi from Shogoin Yatsuhashi
The Yatsuhashi is one of the snacks representing Kyoto and is a sweet made from rice flour and cinnamon. The soft skin of the Yatsuhashi is filled with various pastes.
Shogoin Yatsuhashi Main Branch is a shop which was opened in 1689 and the amazing recipe has been maintained over the years. There are various flavours including red beans, cocoa and one of the famous flavours available is chocolate.
聖護院八ッ橋総本店 Shogoin Yatsuhashi Main Branch
Address: Kyoto-city, Sakyo-ku, Shogoinsan'no-cho 6
Access info: 5-minute walk from Keihan Jingu Marutamachi Station
Opening hours: 8 am - 6 pm
Fixed holiday: No fixed holiday
Contact: +81 75-752-1234
Complete your souvenir shopping in 5 minutes: Takumi
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Takumi is a souvenir store located in Kyoto station and unlike other stores which specialise in their own product, you can get a wide variety of food souvenirs from 50 traditional brands from Kyoto. Located at a convenient location, this is the perfect place for those who are rushing for time.
京名菓 匠味 Kyo meiga Takumi
Address B1F, The CUBE Kyoto Station Building
Access info: Directly connect from JR Kyoto station Karasuma exit
Opening hours: 9am - 8pm
Contact: +81 75-365-8614
The most fashionable candy store in Kyoto! Candy Show Time
Candy Show Time is a candy store located in the old Murai Bank Gion branch, a building that was built in 1924. This building is one of the Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan.
There are various types of candies available in Candy Show Time which are all hand-made. Flavours such as citrus, milk, and the Kyoto specialty Matcha are available. You can even view the candy-making process at the factory there and this is one of the most fashionable shops in Kyoto for souvenir hunting!
Candy Show Time
Address: 573- 5, Gioncho Minami, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-city
Access info: 3-minute walk from Keihan Line Gion Shijo Station
Opening hours: 10 am - 8 pm
Fixed holiday: nil
Contact: +81 75-532-2055
Kyoto-esque café Belamer Kyoto
Belamer Kyoto is a café which blends in well with the historical Kyoto streetscape. Located at the second floor of Belamer Kyoto is a café where you can enjoy various sweets such as roll cakes, chocolates and ice cream.
At the first floor of Belamer Kyoto, a wide variety of exclusive gifts such as Matcha chocolates are available. These luxurious souvenirs are as beautiful as jewellery and are the perfect souvenirs for those who like grand sweets!
ベルアメール京都別邸 Belamer Kyoto
Address: Nakagyo-ku Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Sanjo Sakaimachi east Nyuru north Masuya-cho, 66 (1F Chocolate Shop / 2F Chocolate Bar)
Access info: 392 meters (1286 feet) from Karasuma Oike station
Opening hours: 8 am - 8 pm
Fixed holiday: Irregular
Contact: +81-75-221-7025
Traditional and creative Yatsuhashi from Izutsu Yatsuhashi
Izutsu Yatsuhashi Main Branch is a Yatsuhashi store that opened in 1805 and is a store where you can enjoy traditional Yatsuhashi as well as creative ones that incorporate the latest trends.
Among the new releases from Izutsu Yatsuhashi is the “Nama Yatsuhashi Hanano Komachi” which includes 5 flavours - Cranberry; Milky Cheese, Matcha; Cinnamon; and Raisin. These are flavours that have never been tasted before and are perfect for Yatsuhashi lovers. There are also others available such as the Banana Cacao!
井筒八ッ橋本舗 Izutsu Yatsuhashi Main Branch
Address: Kawabatadori Shijonoboru Higashi-Ku, Kyoto-city
Access info: 2-minute walk from Keihan line Gion-Shijo Station
Opening hours: 10 am - 9 pm
Fixed holiday: Irregular
Contact: +81-75-531-2121
A unique chocolate store in Gion: Cacao 365 Gion Branch
Cacao 365 Gion Branch is a café opened by the renowned brand Malebranche that was introduced above. Located in Gion, this café has a fashionable design and is a great place to enjoy marvellous sweets from Malebranche.
Also available in Cacao 365 Gion Branch are gifts that you cannot get elsewhere, not even in the Malebranche main branch. Among them is the “Nanoka ni Hitotsu no Ao Sora”, a chocolate set. There are 5 usual sets as well as 7 sets that change every day, and this is a delicious and romantic souvenir perfect for that special someone!
加加阿（カカオ）365祇園店 Cacao 365 Gion Branch
Address: 570-150, Gioncho Minami, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-city
Access info: 5-minute walk from from Keihan Line Gion-Shijo station
Opening hours: 10 am - 6 pm
Fixed holiday: Irregular
Contact: +81 75-551-6060
Your favourite Kit Kat in a café
Kit Kat originated from England in 1935 and is now one of the most famous brands in the world. Kit Kat Chocolatory is a café opened by Kit Kat with branches in Tokyo, Nagoya and Kyoto.
At Kit Kat Chocolatory, you can delight in an unbelievable parfait with cream, chocolate sauce, Matcha sauce, Kinako (toasted soy sauce powder) and, of course, Kit Kats. What makes Kit Kat Chocolatory even better is the wide range of exclusive souvenirs available. Apart from the usual Kit Kat flavours, there are ginger, cream cheese, Matcha & Kinako, Strawberry Maple and Ume (sour plum) flavours available there. You can get the “Kit Kat Chocolatory Special Kyoto Assort” where 3 packets of 4 flavours (above mentioned ones excluding cream cheese) are packed in a box. This is the ideal souvenir for sharing with friends!
キットカット ショコラトリー Kit Kat Chocolatory
Address: 79 Tachiurinishimachi, Shimogyo-ku, Daimaru Kyoto B1F
Access info: 1-minute from Hankyu Kyoto Line Karasuma Station, 2-minute walk from Karasuma line Shijo Station
Opening hours: 10 am - 8 pm
Fixed holiday: (Closed when Daimaru Kyoto is closed)
Contact: +81 75-211-8111
Souvenirs that will be loved
The most meaningful souvenirs are representative of the place where they come from - these souvenirs introduced definitely showcase the best of Kyoto. They are not only delicious but also pleasing to the eye, so do consider them when travelling to Kyoto!
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