Meet your personal guide!
MK Hire Driver
Yamaue Kiyomi (山上聖未) Affiliation: Kamigamo First Hire (上賀茂ファーストハイヤー)
instagram.com/mkhire_yamaue/
For reservations of private sightseeing taxis and hires: Call: 075-757-6212 (Available 9:00–18:00)
Official website：https://www.mk-group.co.jp/
Patisserie Miagola
Adorable buddha themed sables and cakes!
This unique shop is filled with creative cakes. The chef’s love for Buddha statues shines through with offerings like Ashura (阿修羅) faced sables and Shoki (鍾馗) themed sables (¥400 each), which are unforgettable and exclusive to this location! Other standout treats include the Rangiku (乱菊; a caramel, ginger, and orange-flavoured buttercream monaka (もなか), ¥1,500 for a set of 3) and the Getto (月兎; a parent-and-child rabbit cheesecake, ¥980).
Playfully creative western sweets that look and taste amazing
Shop Info: Patisserie Miagola (パティスリーミャーゴラ)
Address: 105-2 Kamimonzen-cho, Murasakino, Kita-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone: 075-204-5337
Hours: 11:00–17:00
Closed: Sundays and Mondays (reservations available)
Official Website：https://patisserie-miagola.kyoto/
Nakamura Seiansho
Freshly made red bean paste and monaka sets are hugely popular
Thanks to its origins as a bean paste factory, Nakamura Seiansho (中村製餡所) offers freshly made anko (あんこ, red bean paste) — tsubuan (粒あん, chunky), koshian (こしあん, smooth), or shiroan (白あん, white bean paste) — paired with 10 crisp monaka wafers in their Ankoya-san (あんこ屋さん) no Monaka Set (from ¥1,500). This unique treat draws anko enthusiasts from far and wide.
The wafers come in two varieties: plain and hojicha (ほうじ茶) flavoured. Assemble your own monaka to savour the delightful crunch of the wafers. If you decide to buy all varieties of anko and are handed a satisfyingly heavy paper bag, why not call a taxi for your onward journey?
Fresh and delightfully crisp!
Shop Info: Nakamura Seiansho (中村製餡所)
Address: 88 Daito-cho, Ichijo-dori Omodori Nishi-iru, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone: 075-461-4481
Hours: 8:00–17:00 (or until sold out)
Closed: Wednesdays and Sundays
Official Website：https://www.nakamura-seiansho.com/
Malebranche Kyoto Kitayama Flagship store
The flagship store of the brand behind the well loved dessert
With a presence inside Kyoto Station, the matcha (抹茶) flavoured langue de chat ‘Cha no Ka (茶の菓)’ has become so popular that almost everyone knows about it. The main store of the Western confectionery brand Malebranche (マールブランシュ), which produces this treat, often sees long queues of people eager to try their cakes.
Not only are their seasonal fruit cakes a delight, but their rich and flavourful ‘Mont Blanc’ (¥638) is also a crowd favourite. The recipe has undergone multiple improvements since its initial development and is now on its sixth iteration!
The Mont Blanc offers a sophisticated taste with a hint of rum
Shop Info: Malebranche Kyoto Kitayama Flagship Store (マールブランシュ 京都北山本店)
Address: 40, Kamigamo Iwakegakai-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Phone: 075-722-3399
Opening Hours:Shop: 9:00–17:30 Salon: 10:00–17:30 (Last order: 17:00)
Closed: Open daily
Official Website：https://www.malebranche.co.jp/
Chasho Shimizu Ippoen Cafe
A treasure trove of matcha desserts from a tea specialist
The unprecedented matcha dessert boom has made creations like the ‘Shimizu (清水) Matcha Parfait’ (¥1,408) extremely popular across all age groups.
While reservations aren’t accepted, you can register your turn using the ticket machine at the entrance. Even if you’re not present when called, your turn won’t be cancelled.
A great insider tip: utilise a taxi to explore nearby attractions like Kiyomizudera (清水寺) and Sanjusangendo (三十三間堂) while adjusting your waiting time.
Indulge in the rich flavour and aroma of matcha
Shop Info: Shasho Shimizu Ippoen Cafe (茶匠 清水一芳園カフェ)
Address: 665 Hongawara-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone: 075-202-7964
Opening Hours: 11:00–17:00 (Last orders)
Closed: Mondays (open on public holidays)
Official Website：https://ippoen.co.jp/
Kashiya Nona
Sophisticated flavours and poetic charm in new generation wagashi
Located near Horikawa Gojo (堀川五条), this small wagashi (和菓子, Japanese sweets) shop offers creations brimming with artistry.
The ‘Antonio to Lala (アントニオとララ)’ set (¥940), featuring two wagashi packaged alongside herbs and flowers, is named after characters from Improvisatoren (translated by Mori Ogai (森鷗外)), a novel by Hans Christian Andersen. This literary touch makes it irresistible for book lovers.
Beautifully presented, with tropical fruits and Western liquors as ingredients, these innovative wagashi offer a fresh twist on traditional sweets. Often selling out quickly, they pair wonderfully with coffee or alcohol.
A delightful gift
Shop Info: Kashiya Nona (菓子屋 のな)
Address: 75 Shino-ya-cho, Manjuji-dori, Saikainagaya, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone: None
Opening Hours: 12:00–18:00 (Closes when sold out)
Closed: Sundays and Mondays
Reservations available via Instagram: instagram.com/kashiyanona_wagashi
Composition: Takahashi Ayako (高橋亜弥子), Suzuki Chie (鈴木智恵, WALAKU Magazine)
Illustration: naohiga
*This article is reprinted from WARAKU Magazine (October–November 2024 Issue).
*All prices include tax. Details, including pricing and business hours, are subject to change. Please check before visiting.
This article is translated from https://intojapanwaraku.com/travel/257652/
