Fact: Wagashi (Japanese sweets shops) are bountiful in Kyoto.
There are so many Japanese sweets shops in Kyoto.
I have mentioned there are a lot of bakeries in Kyoto.
I noticed another thing after I moved here.
”Wagashi” , Japanese confection shops, are much more than bakeriesThere are 3 shops in 5 minutes walk, and to think about it for just a few seconds.
The rate of encountering a Wagashishops is much higher than bakeries.
Yes, here is Kyoto. That’s all, people might say, but the number of shops is so large that it makes me curious.
I understand there are people who want to buy bread every day. How about Japanese sweets? Do people usually eat “Daifuku”, which is a rice cake stuffed with sweet bean paste or “Yokan”, which is sweet jelly of adzuki beans at teatime?
“Wagashi” is a seasonal confection. “Sakuramochi” is for the Girl’s Festival, “Kasihwamochi” is for Children’s Day and “ Ohagi” is for the equinox. Is it only me that was taught to buy such sweets only on special occasions like such events or having guests? However, if people only ate these on such special occasions the shops would easily go out of business, I think.
Truth about popularity of Wagashi
However, there are many Wagashi stores which have a history as long as my age, at least. Some of them survive for several centuries. The entrance harmonizes with the surroundings and the box where Wagashi is placed shows a profound look over a long period of time.
Living in such a town naturally makes me feel like having Wagashi.
I like sweets, but not too sweet. In my mind, Wagashi was always a little too sweet and so I have only had them on certain occasions so far.
This is the chance! I thought and decided to go to a Wagashi shop. Actually I had found a shop selling special "Dorayaki" which is Doraemon's favorite.
I climbed up a hill by bike for 20 minutes. It turned out what I wanted was sold out. It had only just passed noon though.
I realized the popularity of Wagashi was true.
Wagashi shop in Kyoto where you must go!
Kyoto has a lot of long-established shops. Though we can certainly find newly-opened shops too.
This spring “Umezono-Sabo” was opened on Kuramaguchi-Dori. It has sister shops in other areas of Kyoto.
When I dropped in, there were Yokan decorated beautifully in the glass case. I could find only Yokan.
To be honest, I don’t like Yokan, especially soft ones. But I had already entered and was hesitant not to buy anything. I chose one and had it with tea upstairs.
Then I was surprised.
The taste was lightly sweetened and gently mild. The toppings of fresh cream and kumquat gave an excellent accent to the Yokan. Really good! I shouted quietly, I enjoyed every bite carefully.
The appearance was also beautiful. I thought I must take a picture and did.
I guess some people don’t like adzuki bean paste. If you are unwilling to try, please visit Umezono-Sabo and make your debut into Wagashi!
[s1]Wagashi means sweets.