2025-01-01

Kyoto's ultimate warabimochi guide! Top places and experiences you should definitely visit

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Kyoto's ultimate warabimochi guide! Top places and experiences you should definitely visit

Kyoto is known for its rich history, culture, and traditional Japanese sweets.

Above all, “warabimochi” is one of the sweets that many tourists visiting Kyoto want to try.

In this article, we'll introduce the best places to enjoy warabimochi in Kyoto, experiences, and special warabimochi for each season.

Why do you enjoy warabimochi in Kyoto?

Warabimochi is a traditional Japanese sweet.

This chewy texture and gentle sweetness have attracted many people.

In Kyoto, you can enjoy this traditional Japanese sweet in many forms, and recipes and arrangements unique to the region have been added.

Kyoto's Best 4 Warabimochi

Here are some delicious warabimochi restaurants you can enjoy in Kyoto.

Gion/ “Kinako & Torori Gion Main Store”

Kinako to Torori, Gion Honten — “Kinako & Torori Gion Main Store”

Source: From the official website

A warabimochi specialty store for takeout sweets, a new brand derived from a soybean flour sweets specialty store.

The warabimochi made at the store every day is wrapped in carefully deep-roasted soybean flour, and the freshly made mouthfeel is exquisite.

Address: 306 Ishibashi-cho, Komonzen-dori Higashioji Higashiiru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Access: 5 minute walk from Higashiyama subway station

Shimizu/ “Fumon Chaya”

Source: From the official website

You can enjoy Japanese sweets in a space inspired by a modern teahouse in front of Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

The famous warabimochi is about 3 times the size of a typical warabimochi.

Try sandwiching it in between with red bean paste or ice cream.

Address: 2-246 Shimizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Access: 9-minute walk from Shimizu-michi bus stop

Sanjo Horikawa/ “Ise Genroku Tachibanaya Main Store”

Source: From Tabelog

A long-established store that has been in business for over 300 years. The “Honsei Warabimochi,” which you can enjoy here, is very popular for its melting texture.

Since the cross section becomes uneven by hand cutting, the soybean flour is sprinkled thoroughly, making it an excellent dish where you can feel the flavor of Kuroju soybean soybean flour even more.

Address: 16, Higashitsume-cho, Sanjo-dori Horikawa Higashiirubashi, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Access: 6-minute walk from Nijojo-mae subway station

Sanjo Kiyamachi/ “Honke Mooncake House Naomasa”

Naomasa, the Mooncake — “Tsukimochiya Naomasa”

Source: From Tabelog

At long-established Japanese confectionary stores that have been in business for over 200 years and are popular with tourists, warabimochi, which has a light, exquisite red bean paste, is popular.

Address: 530-1 Kamisakacho, Kiyamachi-dori Sanjo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Access: 3 minute walk from Keihan “Sanjo Station”

Experience enjoying warabimochi in Kyoto

Warabimochi making experience is also recommended

There is a workshop in Kyoto where you can experience making warabimochi.

This is a valuable opportunity to learn the traditional method of making warabimochi and make Japanese sweets with your own hands.

If you participate with your family and friends, you can make even more fun memories, so be sure to participate.

How to enjoy warabimochi according to the season

Spring cherry warabimochi

Spring is the perfect season to enjoy warabimochi while watching cherry blossoms in Kyoto.

For this limited time, warabimochi topped with cherry leaves is on sale, making you feel the arrival of spring.

Along with fall foliage

In autumn, you can enjoy warabimochi in the scenery with autumn leaves in the background.

The flavor of autumn, the flavor of “chestnuts,” is sometimes added to this seasonal warabimochi.

Be sure to enjoy the limited-time flavors according to the four seasons.

Warabimochi as a souvenir

We recommend buying warabimochi as a souvenir when visiting Kyoto.

Many Japanese confectionary stores sell beautifully packaged warabimochi, making them easy to take home and designed to last a long time.

Some of them have a short shelf life, so be sure to check them carefully.

Through warabimochi, you can share traditional Japanese flavors with family and friends at home and abroad.

Points to keep in mind when tasting warabimochi

When enjoying warabimochi, we recommend tasting freshly made food as much as possible.

Freshly made warabimochi has the best texture and rich flavor.

Also, in Kyoto, many stores offer matcha and Japanese tea to go with warabimochi.

By experimenting with this combination, you can enjoy an even deeper taste of Japan.

summary

Enjoying warabimochi in Kyoto is more than just a food experience.

It is one of the valuable ways to directly feel and understand Kyoto's history and culture.

When traveling for sightseeing, be sure to try Kyoto's traditional warabimochi.

It will make your trip more fulfilling and leave beautiful memories.

The next time you visit Kyoto, be sure to check out these spots and experiences and enjoy authentic warabimochi.

I also recommend a nail experience in Kyoto!

Here are some nail salons you can experience as a couple or with friends!

Gojo/ “Mani Nail Care Kyoto Store”

It's a 1-minute walk from Gojo Station in Kyoto, perfect for a break between sightseeing.

A nail salon boasting careful service that has received high reviews.

This nail salon also suggests colors that are perfect for your skin tone and preferences.

maninail　kyoto — “MANI NAIL CARE KYOTO STORE”

Not only is the gorgeous design, but the simple coloring and careful hand care are sure to renew your mood.

Please try nail care in Japan.

Kawaramachi, Karasuma/ “Kawaramachi Sopoca-lon”

Conveniently located a 7-minute walk from Hankyu “Karasuma Station”, this salon is located between Sanjo and Shijo, making it perfect for those who enjoy shopping and tourists.

This is a popular salon for casual yet sophisticated “just the right casual nails.”

Inside the spacious store, the spacious chairs are designed so you won't get tired even if you sit for a long time, and we provide a space where you can relax while receiving careful nail care.