[Special Edition] 30 Must-Buy Kyoto Souvenirs

1. AN DE COOKIE from Toshoan

This is a Japanese confection full of originality made by Toshoan, a store specializing in anko (sweet red bean paste) that was established over 65 years ago. This crumbly sweet is made by baking a mixture of rice flour dough and shiro an (bean paste made from white kidney beans). It comes in five standard flavors: plain, matcha (powdered green tea), kinako (roasted soybean powder), raspberry, and earl grey. There are also seasonal variations that are sold for limited periods of time.

Sample pricing: 480 JPY (incl. tax)
Places where you can purchase it: Main Branch, KYOTO TOWER SANDO Branch

2. Karinto from Amenbodo

Amenbodo is a store located inside a 100-year-old townhouse that specializes in “karinto”, which are a traditional sweet made by deep-frying kneaded wheat flour in oil and then covering it with sugar. It is normal to use white or brown sugar, but this particular store has over 20 different toppings, ranging from the standards to more unique offerings. Some of their lineup contain Japanese flavors, such as the Yukinko that adds the richness of soy sauce to the sweetness of sugar; the Wasabi, whose surprising spiciness and faint sweetness will leave you craving for more; and the Hachimitsu Matcha, which is popular for its matcha scent and faint honey sweetness.

Sample pricing: 390 JPY (incl. tax)
Places where you can buy it from: Kyoto Main Branch

3. CHA no KA from MALBRANCHE

Another strong recommendation is the CHA no KA from MALEBRANCHE, a popular Western confectionery store in Kyoto. It is a baked sweet consisting of white chocolate sandwiched inside a melty cat tongue biscuit. It gives off a strong aroma of matcha, courtesy of the matcha added to it, which is a rich kind made from high-quality tea leaves that possess barely any bitterness or unpleasant taste. The milky chocolate, refreshingly pleasing sweetness, and well-rounded richness of the matcha all beautifully come together in a perfect match.

Sample pricing: 745 JPY (incl. tax) for a package with 5 pieces
Places where you can buy it from: Kyoto Kitayama Main Branch, Arashiyama Branch, Kiyomizu-zaka Branch, KYOTO TOWER SANDO Branch, Department stores (JR Kyoto Isetan, Takashimaya, Daimaru), etc.

4. Konpeito from RYOKUJUAN-SHIMIZU

“Konpeito” are cute, spiky, little ball-shaped candies that almost look like the shining stars in the night sky. The Japanese further developed it into their own confection after Portugal introduced it to Japan in the late 16th century. The only store in Japan that specializes in these candies is RYOKUJUAN-SHIMIZU, which was founded in 1847. Inside the store, you’ll find a bunch of their original konpeito that have all been made from scratch over a period of 2 weeks in a large boiler. Their Kobukuro - little bags filled with a variety of flavors of konpeito, such as strawberry, peach, melon, natural sparkling water, nikki (a spice similar to cinnamon), and ginger - make great souvenirs. If you get their Premium Konpeito, you can enjoy flavors like koicha (strong matcha), hojicha (roasted green tea), and coffee, borne from advanced cooking techniques and premium ingredients.

Sample pricing: 599 (incl. tax) for a small packet
Places where you can buy it: Kyoto Main Branch, JR Kyoto Isetan

5. Kyo-ame from Crochet

This sweet is made by Crochet, a well-established store that has been making candies for over 140 years. It aims to sell “new Kyoto candies” made with the traditional techniques of Kyoto’s craftsmen and beauty-refining skills developed in Europe. They have these candies in a variety of colors sitting within a transparent case, and just looking at their beauty will leave you dazzled. Each one has its own name. For example, there’s Shiraginu Temari, a lemon-flavored candy that expresses celebration and integrity through its bright hue and silky whiteness, and Shion - a brown sugar candy that was made in the colors of a typical kimono (traditional Japanese garments). Apart from their regular-sized offerings, they also sell much more affordable, smaller-sized candies.

Sample pricing: 345 JPY (incl. tax) for a small bag of candy
Places where you can buy it: Kyoto Main Branch, KYOTO TOWER SANDO Branch

6. Gion no Sato from Gion Tsujiri

This sweet is made by Gion Tsujiri, a long-established Uji tea store that opened in 1860. It consists of white cream packed into a rolled senbei (rice cracker) that contains plenty of Uji matcha. The bitterness of the fragrant matcha and the sweetness of the cream go well together. Another strong recommendation is the Tsujiri no Sato, which is a plain rolled senbei with rich matcha cream inside.

Sample pricing: 432 JPY (incl. tax) for a box with 8 pieces
Places where you can buy it: Gion Main Branch, Kyoto Station Hachijo-guchi Branch, JR Kyoto Isetan

7. Kyokanze from Tsuruya-Yoshinobu

The sweets from Tsuruyua-Yoshinobu, a long-time Japanese confectionery that has its headquarters in Nishijin, are also quite popular. Their signature product is the Kyokanze, made by hand rolling together ogurakan (blocks of yokan (firmed mixture of agar-agar and sweet bean paste) with pieces of caramelized adzuki beans) and murasame (steamed mixture of rice flour and sweet bean paste). Savor the crumbly texture of the murasame and the moistness of the ogura (caramelized sweet bean paste made by gently boiling Dainagon adzuki beans or white adzuki beans)! Apart from individually-packaged ones, there are varieties that can be separated into pieces.

Sample pricing: 260 JPY (incl. tax) for an individually wrapped package
Places where you can buy it: Kyoto Main Branch (Nishijin), IRODORI (Kyoto Station Hachijo-guchi), etc.

8. Uji Matcha Nama Chocolate from Itohkyuemon

As a store that has been making tea for many years, Itohkyuemon sells high-quality, branded Uji tea, along with a variety of sweets that make use of teas like Uji and matcha. One particular product that you should take notice of is the Uji Matcha Nama Chocolate, which has a strong matcha flavor. The moment you pop it into your mouth, the scent of the rich Uji matcha will spread throughout your mouth. Its taste and slight bitterness will give it just the right amount of sweetness, while at the same time drawing attention to the flavorful white chocolate.

Sample pricing: 1,080 JPY (incl. tax) for a pack with 16 pieces
Places where you can buy it: Uji Main Branch, JR Uji Eki-mae Branch, Byodo-in Branch, Kyoto Eki-mae Branch

9. anpo-ne from Gion Anon

Gion Anon is a confectionery that creates Japanese-Western fusion sweets based around anko. They are all packaged prettily, making them great souvenirs. One particular sweet worth mentioning is the anpo-ne, which is eaten by scooping whatever amount of sweet bean paste and cream you like, sandwiching them between monaka (baked shells made with glutinous rice flour that’s been stretched out), and then popping the whole thing into your mouth. The aromatic, crunchy monaka is packaged together with jars of their tsubu-an (coarse sweet bean paste), made by steam-cooking adzuki beans for a long time, and original cream that makes use of mascarpone cheese.

Sample pricing: 1,620 JPY (incl. tax) for 5 pieces
Places where you can buy it: Main Branch

10. Senju-Senbei from Kogetsu

A Kyoto confectionery with several stores, Kogetsu is known for its sweets that are made by applying revolutionary ideas to traditional Kyoto candy-making techniques. Their signature product is the Senju-Senbei, a confection of simple sugar cream sandwiched between crunchy senbei made with waffle dough that has been loved by the people of Japan for over 50 years. It utilizes many ingredients that were not used in Japanese confections in the past.

Sample pricing: 129 JPY (incl. tax) for 1 piece
Places where you can buy it: Main Branch, Gion Branch (Kashin), Ginkaku-ji Branch, Nishijin Branch, Arashiyama Branch (Kogetsu), Uji Branch, Department stores (JR Kyoto Isetan, Takashimaya, Daimaru), etc.

11. Ajari Mochi from Mangetsu

A specialty of Mangetsu, a well-established store that has been operating since 1856, this half-baked sweet is made by wrapping tsubu-an in springy dough with a sticky rice flour base. The simple sweetness of the homemade bean paste, made with a high-class brand of adzuki beans called “Tanba Dainagon”, matches perfectly with the moist dough. It is considered a classic Kyoto souvenir.

Sample pricing: 108 JPY (incl. tax) for 1 piece
Places where you can buy it: Main Branch, Kinkaku-ji Branch, Kiyomizu Sannei-zaka Branch, Department stores (JR Kyoto Isetan, Takashimaya, Daimaru), etc.

12. Suhama Dango from Mamemasa

Mamemasa has been making bean snacks since it was founded in 1884. The Suhama Dango stands out among their selection of offerings. It consists of three dango - colored red, yellow, and green - skewered on a stick and coated in a finish of kinako and mizuame (a sticky sweetener made from starch). It goes well with both Japanese tea and coffee!

Sample pricing: 432 JPY (incl. tax) for a box with 12 pieces
Places where you can buy it: Main Branch, Kinkaku-ji Branch, Kiyomizu-dera Branch, Arashiyama Branch (Restaurant Arashiyama), Ginkaku-ji Branch, Department stores (JR Kyoto Isetan, Takashimaya, Daimaru), etc.

13. Amaguri from Hayashi Manshodo

Hayashi Manshodo is a long-established store that specializes in amaguri (broiled sweet chestnuts). Chestnuts chosen by the owner are scattered between heated-up small stones in vats and allowed to roast together with sweeteners. The result is steaming hot chestnuts with a top-class sweetness and wholesome taste. Since its establishment, the store has always made sure to only sell amaguri roasted on the same day. You can see the chestnuts being roasted at the shop window and smell the sweet fragrance of the roasting sugar even from the outside!

Sample pricing: 600 JPY (incl. tax) for a regular-sized packet (150g)
Places where you can buy it: Main Branch, Department stores (JR Kyoto Isetan, Takashimaya, Daimaru), etc.

14. Yatsuhashi from Honke Yatsuhashi Nishio

Yatsuhashi always comes up whenever anyone talks about Kyoto souvenirs. It is a plank-shaped senbei made by steaming and baking sticky rice flour dough that has spices like nikki and sugar kneaded into it. There are many stores that sell this famed sweet, but the store that has been making it the longest is Honke Yatsuhashi Nishio, a store that was founded in 1689. Apart from the standard nikki flavor, you can also find variations like black sesame, matcha, and banana. Sample them in-store to decide which flavor to purchase!

Sample pricing: 250 JPY (incl. tax) for 12 pieces (nikki flavor)
Places where you can buy it: Main Branch, Kiyomizu Branch, Ginkaku-ji Branch, Gion Branch, Arashiyama Branch, Jingu Branch, etc.

15. Otabe from Bijuu

Another popular sweet is nama (unbaked) yatsuhashi, which is basically the previously introduced yatsuhashi right before it’s baked into a tough plank-shaped senbei. Many stores sell a variation where the nama yatsuhashi is wrapped around a filling like tsubu-an. Bijuu’s Otabe falls under this category. The dough comes in various flavors, such as nikki or matcha, but what’s common about them is that they match well with the plain sweetness of the tsubu-an. The wrapping paper has a papercut art design based on Kyoto’s scenery, making it a great souvenir.

Sample pricing: 540 JPY (incl. tax) for 10 pieces (nikki and matcha combo)
Places where you can buy it: Otabe Main Branch, Toei Kyoto Studio Park, Endo Kaishundo, Kyoto Station (The CUBE), etc.

16. Kitsune Senbei from Inariya

Inariya is a store located in one of Kyoto’s leading sightseeing spots, Fushimi Inari Taisha. There, you can purchase Kitsune Senbei, which are senbei uniquely shaped like a fox’s face. This souvenir’s creation is attributed to the fact that foxes are seen as the familiars of the shrine’s deity. The more you chew it, the more you can taste the simple sweetness of the white miso (a sweet white-ish miso that can be found in the Kansai region) and smell the aroma of the sesame seeds.

Sample pricing: 400 JPY (incl. tax) for a package with 3 small pieces
Places where you can buy it: Inariya

17. Ichiwan Miso Soup from Honda Miso Honten

Honda Miso Honten is famous for its miso, which is an ingredient that places a large role in the Japanese diet. In fact, they are so famous that they even presented their miso to the Imperial Court 200 years ago! One product that’d make a good souvenir is the Ichiwan Miso Soup, which provides an easy way to incorporate miso soup into your every day. Consisting of freeze-dried miso and ingredients covered in fuyaki (thin baked confection made of wheat flour dissolved into water), all you have to do is pour hot water over it to make miso soup! You can choose from four types of miso, which all taste different.

Sample pricing: 617 JPY (incl. tax) for 3 packets
Places where you can buy it: Main Branch, Department stores (JR Kyoto Isetan, Takashimaya, Daimaru), etc.

18. Teabag Set from Ippodo Tea

Ippodo Tea is a long-established store that specializes in Japanese tea. Among its lineup of teas that all have a high-quality sweetness, gentle taste, and bright aroma, the recommendation for this article is their Teabag Set, which will let you enjoy Japanese teas without needing to use any tools like a teapot. Feel free to compare the three types of teas included in this set: Sencha, which has an incredibly clean taste; Gyokuro, which has an intense sweetness and flavor; and Hojicha, a tea with a unique fragrance. The back of the container has instructions on how to prepare the tea in English, so you don’t need to know Japanese to use this set!

Sample pricing: 702 JPY (incl. tax) for a box with 4 pieces
Places where you can buy it: Kyoto Main Branch, Department stores (Takashimaya, Daimaru), etc.

19. Junmai Ginjo Shukon from Tamanohikari

Tamanohikari is a brewery that has been churning out highly acclaimed sake (Japanese rice wine) since 1673. It is located in Fushimi, known as one of Japan’s leading sake production areas thanks to its abundance of underground water. It focuses on making junmaishu (sake made without any added alcohol or sugar) using only rice and rice malt, and any alcohol that is added is additive-free. It makes sure to only stock high-quality alcohol like ginjo, in which the base ingredient, white rice, is milled to over 40%, and daiginjo, where this milling increases to over 50%. Junmai Ginjo Shukon, which shows off a faint flavor of rice while tasting tart and having a crisp finish, is its signature product.

Sample pricing: 1,037 JPY (incl. tax) for a 720ml bottle
Places where you can buy it: Convenience stores and supermarkets (like HANKYU OASIS) within Kyoto City, etc.

20. Mio from TAKARA SHUZO

Mio is a sparkling refined sake that’s recommended for those not used to drinking Japanese alcohol. TAKARA SHUZO developed this product specifically for light drinkers. It is a tart alcohol with a mellow sweetness brought about by rice and rice-malt. Take a gulp and you’ll taste mascot grapes and feel the refreshing bubbles throughout your mouth. The bottle’s stylish design, representing the bubbling of the alcohol, is equally as charming.

Sample pricing: 513 JPY (incl. tax) for a 300ml bottle
Places where you can buy it: Convenience stores and supermarkets (like HANKYU OASIS) within Kyoto City, etc.

21. Anpan from SIZUYAPAN

This store was created by a famous bakery that is approaching its 65th anniversary, SIZUYA. Its signature item is anpan, which is a traditional and simple Japanese bread with fillings like sweet red bean paste that Japanese people are very familiar with. SIZUYAPAN sells a more polished version that incorporates Kyoto ingredients and the seasonality of Japanese confections, and is incredibly popular as a souvenir. There are many variations of this bread sold at the store, but one recommendation is the WAGURI that contains a whole chestnut.

Sample pricing: 230 JPY (incl. tax)
Places where you can buy it: KYOTO STATION STORE (Hachijo-guchi of JR Kyoto Station), KEIHAN GION-SHIJO STORE (within Keihan Electric Railway\'s Gion-shijo Station), etc.

22. Junmai Fujisu from Iio Jozo

This is the signature product of Iio Jozo. It is made with processes that haven’t changed since the brewery was first established in 1893, which take over two years starting from the planting of the rice. The main ingredients used are new rice grown pesticide-free in the mountains of Tango, Kyoto, and underground water gushing from the mountains. It has a mellow umami (savoriness) and rich taste, and adds depth to various foods like sushi, salad, and pickled foods.

Sample pricing: 594 JPY (incl. tax) for a 360ml bottle
Places where you can buy it: Store annexed to the brewery, supermarkets (like HANKYU OASIS) within Kyoto City, etc.

23. SHIKO AI from Kungyokudo

Kungyokudo, a store with over 420 years of history, sells several products centering on making “fragrances” a regular part of your daily life. This article’s recommendation is the SHIKO AI, a package of perfume sticks that let you enjoy a variety of scents, ranging from natural fragrances created from perfumer’s recipes to more modern smells. The aromas and names of the six unique types included in this package, such as Mimuroto’s Lotus or Uji Matcha, reflect famous spots and goods of Kyoto.

Sample pricing: 1,296 JPY (incl. tax)
Places where you can buy it: Main Branch

24. Yuzen (Small) from Ishiguro-Kouho

Established in 1855, this is Japan’s only store that specializes in “nihohi-bukuro”, which are traditional Japanese pouches made of cloth that store fragrances that you can smell at your leisure. The nihohi-bukuro sold at this store abide by traditions while meeting modern demands with a more refined appearance, and they come in a variety of scents. One example that many recommend is the Yuzen (Small), which is named after the traditional dyeing method used for the perfume bag’s fabric. They also have original blends of around 10 different types of natural fragrant wood, such as the Namiko, with a faint sweet smell that stands out from its invigorating scent.

Sample pricing: 410 JPY (incl. tax)
Places where you can buy it: Main Branch

25. Tamahada Hand Cream from Ueba Esou

Ueba Esou is an art supply store founded in 1751 that sells cosmetics like skincare products and nail paint made with gofun (a natural white pigment that is used in Japanese paintings and is made from finely crushed baked seashells). Though it has many products, this article highly recommends their Tamahada Hand Cream series, which use shea butter as a base, along with extracts known for their heat-retaining and skin-beautifying properties, such as yuzu (a type of Japanese citrus fruit) and satozakura (east Asian cherries). You’ll fall in love with its faint sakura (cherry blossom) scent! Peaches and sakura decorate the packaging of this hand cream.

Sample pricing: 1,300 JPY (incl. tax)
Places where you can buy it: Zou Gion Branch, Hotel Nikko Princess Kyoto\'s Goods Store (Nagomi), Kintotoya

26. Aburatori-gami from Yojiya

Aburatori-gami is one of Kyoto’s most iconic and classic souvenirs, made and sold by the famous cosmetics brand, Yojiya. It is a finely constructed piece of washi (Japanese paper) that picks up any excess sebum by just being gently pressed to the skin. It’s pocket-sized, making it easy to carry around, and is a long-selling item that has been used by many people over the ages, such as maiko (traditional Japanese female entertainers) and film stars. A bit of interesting trivia: The logo on the cover is actually a depiction of a Kyoto lady’s reflection on a mirror! It is famous throughout Japan as the “face” of Yojiya.

Sample pricing: 356 JPY (incl. tax)
Places where you can buy it: Main Branch, Gion Branch, Sagano-Arashiyama Branch, Kyoto Station Corner (Hachijo-guchi Branch), Daimaru Kyoto Branch, etc.

27. Shabonya Lip Cream (Yuzu) from Kyoto Shabonya

Kyoto Shabonya sells various skincare products based on soap, all made with Kyoto ingredients to follow the concept of “Made in Kyoto”. One recommended product from their collection is the Shabonya Lip Cream (Yuzu), which has a faint yuzu scent. It is handmade using essential oils from yuzu grown in Kyoto, beeswax, and organic vegetable oils. Glide it on your lips to make them moist, smooth, and plump. The packaging utilizes natural bamboo, which is also very Kyoto-esque.

Sample pricing: 1,296 JPY (incl. tax)
Places where you can buy it: Sanjo Main Branch, KYOTO TOWER SANDO Branch

28. Kinuhabutae Tama no Hada Puff from Kyoto Silk

This face washing puff is a best-seller that has been in the markets for over 30 years. The side that has contact with your skin is made completely out of silk. You can use it in your normal face washing routine by wetting it and cleaning off any face wash foam with it. By doing so, any excess collagen will be wiped off, your skin texture will smoothen out, and your skin will start glowing. You can choose from a variety of designs for the front, from plain colors to Japanese patterns and elegant flowery swatches.

Sample pricing: 1,296 JPY (incl. tax)
Places where you can buy it: Higashiyama Kodai-ji Branch, Department stores (JR Kyoto Isetan, Takashimaya, Daimaru\'s HOUSE OF ROSE), etc.

29. Furoshiki from Sanbido

Sanbido is a store that handles accessories that showcase the essence of traditional Japanese craftwork, including tye-dyeing, printing, embroidery, weaving, and script. It has gained popularity for its chic products that beautifully combine tradition with modern designs. In particular, their Furoshiki product series - clothes that can be used to wrap several things - make great souvenirs. They stock furoshiki made from a variety of materials, including silk and cotton, and that come in various sizes and designs. They’re light and great for storing stuff, so some people use them instead of eco-friendly reusable bags, while others prefer utilizing them to make clothes compact enough to fit in their suitcase.

Sample pricing: 648 JPY (incl. tax), and so on
Places where you can buy it: Kyoto Karasuma Main Branch, Kyoto Arashiyama Branch

30. Tenugui from Nijiyura

Nijiyura is a popular brand for tenugui (hand towels), which come in several lovely designs created in collaboration with artists and illustrators from all around the world. These tenugui are known for their fine gradation, possible thanks to a traditional dyeing method called “chusen”. Since they’re all made by hand, even if the same design is used, each piece will be slightly different from the rest. It has several uses, such as a handkerchief, something to wrap stuff in, or even as part of a framed picture!

Sample pricing: 1,620 JPY (incl. tax), and so on
Places where you can buy it: Kyoto Sanjo Branch

Many of the items introduced in this article are available at souvenir stores in Kyoto Station or nearby commercial districts. The next time you’re looking for a Kyoto souvenir, do refer to this list to see if there’s anything you might be interested in!