We asked the staff at the local JAL Kyoto branch, who are well acquainted with the charms of Kyoto, about souvenirs they would like to buy for themselves or give to others. We will introduce 5 carefully selected items, ranging from delicious sweets and seasonings to convenient everyday items!
INDEX
- Fresh and chewy. The refined sweetness of Fubo's long-established "Fu Manju"
- Loved by chefs too! Hararyokaku's "Black Shichimi" brings out the flavor with just one sprinkle
- Demachi Futaba's "Mamemochi" - so full of beans you can see them through the pan!
- Wear the scent of Kyoto. Shoyeido's elegant scented sachet "Dare Sode Gokuhin"
- High airtightness that will last for 100 years. The more you use it, the more character it develops. Kaikado's "tea caddy"
Fresh and chewy. The refined sweetness of Fubo's long-established "Fu Manju"
5 pieces 1,080 yen (tax included) / Sold by: Fubou Roho
Located in Nishiki Market, Kyoto's kitchen, this namafu specialty store was founded in the Tenpo era. The "fu manju" is a sweet made of smooth bean paste wrapped in green laver namafu wrapped in bamboo leaves. The smooth and moist dough has a chewy texture and goes perfectly with the lightly sweet bean paste. You can faintly smell the bamboo and it has a light flavor that makes you want to eat as many as you want. Another plus point about namafu is that it is low in calories and healthy.
Recommended comments from JAL staff!
"This is a shop that is particular about making everything by hand. I recommend it as a snack for yourself or to treat your customers, and you can enjoy the unique flavors that are loved by locals." (NH/female)
Fubou Long-established
| address | ： | Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Nakagyo Ward, Nishiki-koji, Fuyacho Higashi-iru |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 075-221-0197 |
| business hours | ： | 9:00～18:00 |
| Regular Holiday | ： | Open daily |
| web | ： | http://fufusa.com/ |
Loved by chefs too! Hararyokaku's "Black Shichimi" brings out the flavor with just one sprinkle
1,210 yen (tax included) / Sold by: Hararyokaku
This is the signature product of a long-established store in Gion that has been in business for 320 years. It is a versatile shichimi made from seven different ingredients, including chili peppers, Japanese pepper, poppy seeds, and hemp seeds, and has a refreshing aroma mixed with a spicy kick. Unlike regular shichimi, it is black in color because the ingredients are roasted, ground, and rubbed together, which causes the color of the chili peppers and Japanese pepper to disappear. Even though it is a condiment, it has a savory flavor, and even a small amount will bring out the flavor of the ingredients. It is an excellent product that is loved by many famous Japanese restaurants and yakitori restaurants.
Recommended comments from JAL staff!
"I learned about this Kyoto-style seasoning, passed down from father to son, from a business partner in Kyoto. It's a pitch black powder, and you can't imagine what it tastes like just by looking at it, but it's a versatile seasoning that goes well with any dish. Anyone would be happy to receive it as a gift." (TK/Male)
Hararyokaku Main Store
| address | ： | 267 Gion-cho Kitagawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 075-561-2732 |
| business hours | ： | 10:00～18:00 ※Closes when sold out |
| Regular Holiday | ： | Open daily |
| web | ： | http://hararyoukaku.co.jp |
Demachi Futaba's "Mamemochi" - so full of beans you can see them through the pan!
220 yen each (tax included) / Sold by: Demachi Futaba
There are long lines now and in the past, and most people come for this "mame mochi". Mame daifuku is made of soft habutae mochi wrapped around smooth bean paste, and the beans are so abundant inside and around that you can see through the surface. The peas used are grown by contract farmers in Hokkaido, and only the largest and sweetest ones are used. The mochi is so soft that it melts in your mouth, and if you hold it too tightly it will lose its shape. The perfect sweetness of the bean paste and the salty accent of the beans are irresistible.
Recommended comments from JAL staff!
"Every day, there are huge lines at the store to buy them. The balance between the texture of the beans, the softness of the mochi, and the bean paste is exquisite. The fact that the expiration date is the same day makes you want to eat it even more. How about buying one for yourself as a souvenir?" (NM/female)
Demachi Futaba
| address | ： | 236 Seiryu-cho, Kawaramachi-dori Imadegawa-agaru, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 075-231-1658 |
| business hours | ： | 8:30～17:30 |
| Regular Holiday | ： | Tuesday |
Wear the scent of Kyoto. Shoyeido's elegant scented sachet "Dare Sode Gokuhin"
682 yen per piece (tax included) / Sold by Shoyeido
When walking around Kyoto, you may notice a gorgeous Japanese fragrance floating around from somewhere. One item that allows you to feel the atmosphere of this ancient capital at any time is Shoyeido's sachets. Among them, this "Dare ga Sode Gokuhin" contains a blend of fragrances such as sandalwood, clove, cinnamon, and borneol, and is popular for its clean and elegant scent. Incidentally, "Dare ga Sode" is the name of the sachets, and it is said to come from a poem in the Kokin Wakashū.
Recommended comments from JAL staff!
"It has a very elegant fragrance. The subtle scent of the sachet really shows the attention to detail that is unique to Kyoto. Nishijin-ori cloth bags come in a variety of patterns, so it's fun to choose one. They look cute and are perfect as souvenirs." (NH/female)
Shoyeido Kyoto Main Store, a long-established incense store
| address | ： | East side of Karasuma-dori Nijo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 075-212-5590 |
| business hours | ： | 9:00～18:00 |
| Regular Holiday | ： | Open daily |
| web | ： | https://www.shoyeido.co.jp |
High airtightness that will last for 100 years. The more you use it, the more character it develops. Kaikado's "tea caddy"
From the left: "Tin for receiving tray (120g)" 16,500 yen, "Brass long type (200g)" 17,600 yen, "Copper flat type (200g)" 17,600 yen (all prices include tax) / Sold by Kaikado
Kaikado has been loved for over a century for its tea caddies. The caddies they sell are extremely airtight, protecting tea leaves and ingredients from moisture and preserving their quality. And yet, their beautiful form makes them everyday crafts that combine function and beauty. Even if they become dented or distorted, they can be repaired by craftsmen and can be used for generations. The color changes with continued use, and a tasteful luster emerges, which is one of the attractions of the caddies - the "pleasure of nurturing them."
Recommended comments from JAL staff!
"These tea caddies are individually handcrafted from copper, brass, and tin. They are intricately made and have excellent airtightness. They are a little pricey, but they are a special product that you can only find in Kyoto, a city that prides itself on its tea culture. In addition to tea caddies, they also carry pasta tins and candy tins, which are perfect for everyday items as well as interior décor." (NM/female)
Kaikado
| address | ： | Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Shimogyo Ward, Kawaramachi Rokujo Higashiiru Umeminatocho 84-1 |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 075-351-5788 |
| business hours | ： | 9:00～18:00 |
| Regular Holiday | ： | Sundays, national holidays, the second and fourth Mondays |
| web | ： | https://www.kaikado.jp |
New shops are constantly opening in Kyoto, and the city is constantly changing. However, the flavors and techniques of long-established shops continue to fascinate people throughout the ages. The five products we have introduced this time are all products that we can confidently recommend, as they are sure to please people of all ages and genders! Why not try them as gifts for yourself or someone else?
Related article
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
