Wagashi is a type of traditional Japanese confectionery, which usually reflects the seasons and has a mild taste. UCHU Wagashi, a specialty shop located on Teramachi-dori near the Kyoto Imperial Palace, combines high-quality ingredients with wasanbon, a traditional Japanese sugar. The resulting candies, called rakugan, have an elegant and unique sweetness. They’re a popular gift and souvenir in Kyoto not only because of the quality but also the refined and simple appearance. 

We recommend the “Kyoto Monogatari” box set of wasanbon candies. The “Kyoto Monogatari” (Scenes of Kyoto) collection features candies imprinted with iconic Kyoto landmarks like Kyoto Tower and Mount Daimonji. These specific designs are only available for in-store purchase in Kyoto, making them a truly unique souvenir from your trip.

UCHU WAGASHI Teramachi Main Store has a cafe where you can eat in. You can enjoy a selection of Japanese sweets and desserts, including matcha parfaits, mochi dango, and more.

Malebranche Cacao 365 Gion is a chocolatier produced by Kitayama Malebranche, a popular confectionery store in Kyoto. The Gion Store is a renovated machiya townhouse and highly recommended for its location and atmosphere. If you love chocolate, this is a must-see stop during your trip to Kyoto. Premium bonbon chocolates with the flavor and scent of Kyoto’s koicha (concentrated matcha) are a must-try.

For souvenirs, we recommend the “Cacao 365.” Chocolatiers decorate each chocolate with a special “crest” design specifically for that day. Following a traditional Kyoto custom, each design represent a specific day of the year.

However, remember that Malebranche Cacao 365 sells specific crests for each day only on that day! If you want special chocolates for a birthday, anniversary, or other event, please order them at least two days in advance. Reservations can be made on the official website.

These elegant made-in-Kyoto chocolates are, of course, Kyoto-exclusive! They’re souvenirs you can only buy in Kyoto. When visiting Kyoto, be sure to stop by their beautiful shop.

Important note: The store’s official website recommends consuming the chocolates “within three days.” With that in mind, be sure to buy these on the last day before going home or enjoy them yourself during your visit!

Japan is known for its dedication to preserving its traditional culture. One way is by incorporating traditional crafts into daily life, which Somaru has done with the creation of its decorative and high-quality cleaning cloths for delicate items like glasses, tablets, and computer screens. However, Somaru’s ofuki aren’t ordinary cleaning cloths! 

The Somaru brand began in Kyoto in 2016. Its founders, who made a living dying fabric for kimono, noticed a decrease in the kimono market. They began Somaru with the mission of making such fabrics modern and affordable, as ofuki cleaning cloths.

Kimono craftsmen make ofuki from pure silk, and dye each cloth using traditional Kyo-Yuzen kimono dyeing techniques. Lightweight, durable, and static-free, they’re perfect for cleaning delicate items like glasses, tablets, and computer screens while showcasing authentic Kyoto craftsmanship.

Somaru’s ofuki cloths cannot be purchased online and are only available at their Kyoto location, making them a very special and personal gift from Kyoto!

If you’re near Kyoto Station, be sure to stop by SUGiTORA. Located on the 1st floor of Kyoto Tower, you’ll be able to find the shop marked by an adorable tiger logo. Not only can you purchase souvenirs, the shop functions as a café with gelato, seasonal parfaits, and wine!

Our staff recommendation is their tin of buttercream sandwich cookies. These handmade buttercream sandwich cookies feature chocolate and vanilla cookies with hazelnut buttercream filling. Other flavors are available depending on the season, so you’ll find something new with each visit. SUGiTORA also has a variety of other delicious baked goods, including cookies shaped like tigers!

Another recommendation from the MACHIYA INNS & HOTELS staff is the assortment box. You can fill a tin with your choice of tiger-shaped cookies—making it delightfully difficult to decide which ones to select! Though these cookies are almost too cute to eat, once you have a taste, you’ll instantly be addicted to their refined sweetness. We usually end up buying extra boxes for ourselves!

The unique charm of these sweets is that they are handmade in small batches, not mass-produced. If you’re looking for souvenirs that you won’t find anywhere else, give these delicious cookies a try.

If you’re looking for a cute and colorful souvenir that gives you a true taste of Kyoto, we recommend Kyoto Marun. Founded in 2007, the shop endeavors to connect people through sweets and warm, relaxing moments such as those enjoyed with tea.

These colorful tea collections feature whimsical maiko (apprentice geisha) contain a variety of teas, such as Uji matcha tea, yuzu green tea, and black bean hojicha (our personal favorite). Each box also provides information about each tea’s unique health and beauty benefits.

These specific tea collections are only available for purchase in Kyoto and are specially designed to showcase the city’s tea culture. If you’re looking for a souvenir that can only be purchased in Kyoto and is undeniably cute, “Kyoto Marun” is the perfect choice. In addition to the teas, the traditional hard sugar candies (konpeito) are excellent as souvenirs because they travel well, are small in size!

With several stores located in Arashiyama, Kyoto Station, and other major sightseeing spots, you can easily find these during your travels.

Rakkansha offers a selection of Japanese sweets inspired by the concept of “a Japanese spirit with a Western flair.”

Our absolutely favorite is the Rakk-Can CAKE. The Rakk-Can CAKE—a unique, travel-friendly dessert served in a can. Each one features colorful layers of mousse and fruit, creatively incorporating Japanese ingredients like soy sauce, kinako (roasted soybean flour), and mochi.

This innovative dessert was born from the idea of letting travelers take the taste of Kyoto with them—even on the train ride home. Thoughtfully crafted to be enjoyed with a spoon, each Rakk-Can CAKE includes petit choux pastry that fits neatly inside the can, offering a charming touch of hospitality.

In addition to the Rakk-Can series, Rakkansha also offers a tempting array of fresh cakes, blending traditional Japanese flavors with seasonal ingredients. If time allows, be sure to stop by their main store for a relaxing café break while exploring Kyoto.

Why it’s perfect for travel: While fresh cakes can be tricky to transport, Rakk-Can CAKE is the ideal treat to enjoy on the go—whether you’re riding the train or taking a sweet break during your Kyoto journey.

A long-established confectionery shop, Daikokuya Kamamochi Honpo is located in a quiet residential area. It was founded in 1891 during the Meiji era and is currently in its third generation of ownership.

Our recommended sweet is Kamamochi!

Kamamochi is a traditional type of mochi once sold to travelers and local farmers at teahouses. This traditional sweet is a simple, unadorned sweet with pure white mochi wrapped around homemade bean paste with brown sugar. The shape resembles the sickles used to harvest rice, which symbolize good fortune.

Each mochi piece is packaged individually to keep them from sticking together. If you can’t eat them all in one sitting, pop them in the freezer until your craving strikes. The pillowy soft mochi and the shop’s century-old techniques make this a truly authentic taste of Kyoto’s confectionery heritage.