Hello Kitty Lovers! Enjoy Hello Kitty Sweets at Kyoto’s Japanese Tea House Hello Kitty Saryo
[Local College Students Tell All!] Within the popular tourist area of Ninenzaka in Higashiyama, Kyoto, you’ll find the Hello Kitty Saryo. Here, you can enjoy sweets and foods made with this much-loved character as a motif. They're so cute that you'll want to take lots of pictures! Experience Japanese tea culture while sampling adorable Japanese sweets. Check out this article to find out more about this tea house’s charms!
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What Kind of Place is Kyoto’s Japanese Tea House Hello Kitty Saryo?
Japanese Tea House Hello Kitty Saryo is a place where you'll be able to experience a collaboration between the globally loved Hello Kitty and traditional Japanese tea culture. Starting with matcha (Japanese powdered green tea) and traditional sweets from Kyoto, you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of sweets and foods with Hello Kitty as a design motif.
The teahouse is located in Ninenzaka, Higashiyama. The buildings here have kept their traditional facades, and become a representative sightseeing spot synonymous with Kyoto. The teahouse used to be a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), so it's full of traditional Japanese charm.
The cafe entrance is on the right side of the building, at the end of the stone path. The main front display of the building is packed with adorable Hello Kitty goods. This is a great place to look for some souvenirs!
This is the entrance of the cafe. You'll be welcomed by a kimono-clad Hello Kitty!
The interior of the cafe is mostly made of wood. It is designed to look very Japanese, with wall paintings that depict the four seasons and wooden lattice doors that are typical of traditional houses in Kyoto.
Look out for the various Hello Kitty decorations scattered all around the cafe!
For example, the table legs are shaped like Hello Kitty's bow, and on the back of the chairs, you'll see a coat of arms that includes Hello Kitty's bow and the word "Kitty" in its design! This cafe is a place that will really delight Hello Kitty fans.
Look out at the greenery in the garden while leisurely enjoying your food. Hello Kitty plush toys abound around the cafe as well, so she can join you at your table too!
An Incredibly Cute Menu
A popular item on the cafe’s extensive menu is the Hello Kitty Matcha Cream Anmitsu (750 yen plus tax). Agar or seasonal Namafu (wheat gluten), Azuki An (red bean paste), and matcha ice cream are used in this Japanese-style dessert.
This dessert is served in a Kiyomizu-yaki (Kyoto pottery) bowl each painstakingly crafted by ceramic artisans. Of course, the designs of the bowls feature the lovely Hello Kitty! The Kyo no Matcha with Higashi (dried candies) (650 yen plus tax) is also served in these bowls.
Another popular item is the Hello Kitty Omotenashi Matcha Latte (hot/cold) (800 yen plus tax), which features a Hello Kitty-shaped marshmallow. There's also caffe latte, royal milk tea, cocoa, and other beverages to choose from.
The Hello Kitty and Daniel Nakayoshi Matcha Parfait (1,150 yen plus tax) is also highly recommended. It's so cute to see Hello Kitty up close with her boyfriend, Daniel!
The food menu is also full of cute dishes like the Hello Kitty Tokusei Curry (comes with soup) (1,280 yen plus tax). It's so cute that you might be reluctant to dig in!
A Lovely Garden Full of Hidden Photo Spots!
After eating, head out to the garden to take in the sights of the four seasons! Summer brings green maple leaves, while during the autumn, you'll see beautiful red foliage. In June, you'll also be able to catch the beautiful blooming azalea flowers.
You definitely should not miss visiting this particular spot in the garden. It's a stone in the center of the garden with a relief carving. Look, the carving is of Hello Kitty dressed in a kimono!
There's also a luxurious teahouse tucked away in a corner of the garden. It's made in the image of the Golden Tea Room that was made by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the military commander who succeeded in unifying Japan during the Sengoku (warring states) period. You'll be able to see Hello Kitty in this teahouse as well!
Head to the Goods Shop!
When you're done with the cafe, why not drop by the goods shop to get some souvenirs?
Inside, you’ll find a wide variety of Japanese sweets, sundries, apparel, and more that all feature Hello Kitty on them! Tenugui (towels) (1,300 yen plus tax) and bento boxes (2,300 yen plus tax) are available too.
The konpeito (sugar candy) (540 yen tax included) stands out as the perfect gift. Available only at the teahouse, it is made with sugar and flavored water. Shaped like cute little stars, these simple tasting candies are great as gifts for children.
You can pick from five types: momiji, forget-me-not (wasurena-gusa), rapeseed (na-no-hana), yozakura, and margaret. The boxes feature Hello Kitty designs, and contain konpeito in a multitude of colors to match each flower.
*This place has closed down.
Doesn't it sound charming? Kiyomizu Temple (Kiyomizu-dera), Yasaka Pagoda (Yasaka-no-To), Kodaiji Temple, and other popular sightseeing spots are all located in the Higashiyama area. If you're tired of walking, stop by the teahouse and rejuvenate yourself with the adorable Hello Kitty, some delicious Japanese sweets, and various drinks!
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The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
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