[2024] 23 Kyoto food spots to try! Introducing areas such as Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and Nishiki Market

Kiyomizu-dera area, one of Kyoto's most famous tourist spots

Yasaka Pagoda (Hokanji Temple) stands on the approach to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, one of Kyoto's most popular tourist attractions. The five-story pagoda, an important cultural property that has long been a beloved symbol of Higashiyama, has an overwhelming presence.

Along the stone-paved streets that are filled with the atmosphere of Kyoto, with Yasaka Pagoda as a backdrop, there are a number of shops that you'll want to stop by after visiting Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka Pagoda. Among them, we would like to recommend the following shops.

[Cream puffs] Shimizu Kyoami: A sophisticated cream puff with a hint of cinnamon

Kiyomizuzaka is a main street lined with shops selling Kyoto-style souvenirs such as yatsuhashi and pickles, and is always bustling with tourists.

At "Kiyomizu Kyoami" located halfway up Kiyomizuzaka, you can try "Yatsuhashi Chou" (380 yen each), a fusion of Kyoto's classic souvenir, yatsuhashi, and cream puffs. Both the dough and cream are made with 100% domestic rice flour, making them gluten-free cream puffs, with ingredients similar to those of yatsuhashi. Apparently, the dough was created with cinnamon kneaded into it to resemble yatsuhashi, and the color and scent are just like yatsuhashi.

The recommended flavor is the rich matcha cream. The fragrant, lightly sweet cream brings out the flavor of the cinnamon. The cream is stuffed into the choux pastry after the order is placed, so you can enjoy the crispy, freshly made taste.

A simple yet delicious cream puff for adults. Please give it a try.

Kiyomizu Kyoami

[Tofu Manju] A healthy snack that will satisfy your hunger at "Sohonke Yudofu Okutan Shimizu"

Located at the junction of Ninenzaka (Ninenzaka) and Sannenzaka (Sannenzaka), Souhonke Yudofu Okutanshimizu is a yudofu specialty restaurant founded in 1635. There are many yudofu restaurants all over the country, but this restaurant is said to be the oldest of them all.

There is a tofu workshop in the basement where artisans carefully make the tofu served in the shop every day.

The "Tofu Manju" (250 yen) is sold at the "Manju Shop" in front of this store. The dough of the nostalgic "Inaka Manju" is kneaded with soy milk, and the inside is filled with a seasoned soy pulp paste with plenty of vegetables.

The moist and mild-tasting "Tofu Manju" is healthy and filling, making it perfect for eating on the go. Especially in autumn and winter, if you get your hands on a freshly steamed, piping hot "Tofu Manju", it will warm your cold fingertips and blow away the cold.

You can also enjoy the "Tofu Manju" inside the shop (*). If you choose to eat in, you can choose the romantically named "Higashiyama no Omoi" (385 yen). We also recommend the "Soy Milk Latte" (from 330 yen) with homemade soy milk and brown sugar syrup, and there is also a great value set menu with the "Tofu Manju" (from 605 yen). Why not stop by for a short break during your stroll?
*Seating charges may apply separately.

Sohonke Yudofu Okutan Shimizu

[Baby Castella] A collaboration between a long-established Japanese confectionery shop in Kyoto and a popular textile brand, "Itoken/SOU・SOU Shimizu Store"

A collaboration between Kyoto's traditional Japanese sweets shop "Itoken", founded in 1864, and Kyoto textile brand "SOU・SOU" is currently attracting a lot of attention. "Itoken/SOU・SOU Kiyomizu Store" is located on Sanneizaka, about a three-minute walk from Kiyomizu-dera Temple, where traditional streets spread out.

In a photogenic space that combines Japanese style with pop art, you'll find a lineup of unique sweets and drinks with "SOU・SOU" designs scattered throughout. There is no eat-in space inside the store, but there is a cute photo spot, so don't forget to take some photos.

The most representative textile design of "SOU・SOU" is "SO-SU-U (ten)", which features the number 10. "SO-SU-U Castilla" (10 pieces per bag, 648 yen), created in collaboration with Itoken, is a baby castilla baked soft and moist in the shape of "SO-SU-U" using plenty of eggs.

"SO-SU-U Castilla with fresh cream" (500 yen) is full of fresh cream. However, it has a subtle sweetness, so even if you dip it in the castilla, it's not too sweet and you can eat it all in one go. By the way, the numbers on the castilla are random.

The restaurant also has a lineup of many other gourmet foods to eat on the go.

The "Kushiwagashi" (500 yen per stick), which features the textile design of SOU・SOU as a full-fledged fresh confectionery from Itoken, is a greedy sweet that combines four different types of confectionery in one stick: "Hohoemi" with matcha konashi, "Urara" with yuzu kingyoku (agar jelly), "Kikuzukushi" with konashi, and "Egao" with ukishima (soybean flour).

The "Amber Cider" (500 yen) is a homemade yuzu honey cider filled with colorful yuzu-flavored amber. The cup with the "SO-SU-U" design is also cute, so it's a treat for the eyes.

Itoken/SOU・SOU Shimizu store

[Smoothies] Enjoy seasonal fruits at DRINK DRANK Kyoto Shimizu Sanneizaka branch

DRINK DRANK Kyoto Sanneizaka Store is located inside Jukando, a shop that sells Kyoto's Japanese goods, on Sanneizaka, the approach to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. This smoothie specialty store is run by Nara smoothie expert Natsu Hirano, and is attracting attention for its gorgeous-looking smoothies that use a generous amount of seasonal fruits.

The storefront is stocked with fresh fruits used in their "Today's Recommended Smoothie." The ingredients available change depending on the season, so you can enjoy what's in season at that time.

The shop also has an eat-in space, so it's a great place to stop by for a break from walking around town. You can enjoy a fresh smoothie while surrounded by the retro space of a Kyoto townhouse and Japanese goods.

DRINK DRANK Kyoto Kiyomizu Sanneizaka store

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