〈2023〉Best 12 Places to See Autumn Leaves in Japan (Kyoto, Osaka and More)!

Japan in autumn colors. Here are some of the best places in Kansai to see the autumn leaves, by area, from once-in-a-lifetime viewing spots to hidden gems. Please refer to the fall tourism in 2023.   -INDEX- 【KYOTO】 〇Higashiyama Area Famous place：Eikando Little known good spot：Anrakuji 〇Arashiyama Area Famous place：Jojakko-ji Little known good spot：Takenotera-Jizoin 〇Other Area Famous place：Rurikoin Little known good spot：Komyo-ji 【OSAKA】 Famous place：Minoh Waterfall Little known good spot：Katsuo-ji 【KOBE】 Famous place：Kobe Municipal Arboretum Little known good spot：Rokko-Arima Ropeway 【Other Area】 Himeji：KOKO-EN Nara：Hasedera temple Eikando is the best place in Higashiyama to view the autumn leaves. About 3,000 maple trees cover the entire precincts of the temple. The sight of the tallest pagoda, Dabotou, enveloped by the autumn leaves is a fantastic sight. Japanese maples are planted around the Housho Pond, and the reflection of the Japanese maples and the Gokuraku Bridge in the water is a must-see. Normally closed to the public, this special temple is open to the public only during the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons. Within walking distance is the Philosopher’s Path, which is tinted in autumn, so a walk along this path is recommended. Highlights include the scattered autumn leaves that turn the stone steps of the temple gate bright red and the beautiful garden with Nyoigatake in the background. This temple is located on Mt. Ogura, known for the Ogura Hyakunin Isshitsu. In autumn, the approach from the entrance gate to the Niomon Gate is covered in autumn leaves, creating a tunnel of foliage. The autumn leaves surrounding the 12-meter tall Dabotou (pagoda), which is located at the top of the stone steps, is a must-see. The precincts of the temple and the area around the pagoda also offer a panoramic view of Kyoto City. It is a well-known autumn foliage viewing spot for those in the know. The trees change color later than other places in Kyoto, and the autumn leaves can be enjoyed until mid-December. Surrounded by lush bamboo groves, the contrast between the green of the bamboo and the changing colors of the autumn leaves is magnificent. The heart-shaped window, Inome-mado, in the Hojo is also open to the public. The autumn leaves cut by the window are breathtakingly beautiful. Ruriko-in Temple is a popular spot in Rakuhoku Yase, and the spectacular view of the autumn leaves reflecting on the lacquered desk on the second floor is a sight to behold. Anyone can take pictures of this spectacular view by holding up a camera at the desk. It is open to the public only twice a year, in spring and fall. Please enjoy the wide-open view of the autumn leaves as they spread across your field of vision. Sohonzan Komyoji Temple is located at the foot of Nishiyama in Nagaokakyo City. Visitors can see the rich expression of nature in each of the four seasons. Every year from mid-November to early December, a special entrance to the temple is held for the autumn foliage. The maple approach to the temple, with its impressive lineup of about 250 old maple trees, is a superb photo spot. Minoh Great Falls is one of the best places in Osaka to view the autumn leaves. The contrast between the waterfall and the autumn leaves in the vast Minoh Park is spectacular. You can enjoy the autumn leaves everywhere along the 2.6 km route from Hankyu Minoh Station to the falls. If you come to Minoh, you must try the famous “Momiji no Tempura” (maple leaf tempura). It is a slightly sweet and crunchy snack made by carefully frying real maple leaves one by one. You can buy it at a store on Takimichi. Known since ancient times as a temple of good fortune, the precincts of Minoh’s Katsuo-ji Temple are decorated with brilliant autumn leaves in November. The tunnel of autumn leaves covering the approach to the temple is especially spectacular. The contrast between the green mountains in the background and the autumn leaves is like a painting. Katsuo-ji Temple is also known as the temple of “Kachi-Dharma”. Small Dharma dolls are laid everywhere, including on the stairs and stone walls. Please enjoy the adorable Dharma and beautiful nature. The park is divided into different regions of the world, such as North America and Europe, and different types of trees, so that visitors can learn about the diverse beauty of autumn leaves. The area around Hase Pond is a particularly beautiful spot for viewing the autumn colors in a water mirror. Let’s take a stroll through the vast park and enjoy the world tour of autumn leaves! The Rokko Arima Ropeway connects the top of Mt. Rokko and Arima Onsen in about 12 minutes. Visitors can enjoy the changing autumn leaves depending on the elevation. The view of the autumn foliage from the gondola’s large foot-high windows is spectacular. There are nine gardens of different styles with Himeji Castle, which is registered as a World Heritage site, in the background. Because of the atmosphere of the Edo period, the gardens are often used for filming movies and TV dramas. In the fall, the Autumn Foliage Festival is held from mid-November to early December. (November 18 – December 4, 2022) The best time to visit is during the “Momiji-kai” (autumn foliage viewing), when the leaves are illuminated for a fantastic view. You can enjoy a fantastic view that is different from that of daytime. Hasedera Temple, located in Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture, is known as the “Temple of Flowers”. The temple is open twice a year, in spring and fall, for a limited time for special visits. A must-see spot is the floor of the hall of worship. In autumn, visitors can enjoy the “Yuka-momiji” (floor maple leaves) that turn bright red. The view of the autumn leaves from the stage in front of the main hall is not to be missed. The five-story pagoda surrounded by autumn leaves is a magnificent sight. Be sure to visit Hasedera Temple, where the entire mountain is decorated with autumn leaves. Autumn in Japan is very vivid. There are so many places to see the autumn leaves that it is impossible to visit them all at once. Please find your favorite spot and enjoy the autumn foliage as you wish.

15 Traditional Events in Kyoto! Must-see for travelers, feel Japanese culture

Various historical events are held throughout the year in Kyoto. From the famous Gion Festival to the aristocratic games of the past, some of them are a bit surprising! Here are some of Kyoto’s traditional events that you can add to your travel plans for a deeper and more intense trip to the Kansai region.   -INDEX- 【January】Kemari Hajime(traditional Japanese foot ball game)/Shimogamo shrine 【February】Setsubun Festival/Temples and shrines in Kyoto City 【February】Hari-kuyo(requiem services for broken needles)/Horinji temple 【March】Spring Doll Exhibition/The former Dodo Imperial palace Hokyoji temple 【March】Eieitou-no-Hinamatsuri(Doll Fastival)/Hirano-no-ie Waza Eieitou 【April】Miyako Odori/The Gion Kaburenjo Theater 【May】Yabusame/Shimogamo shrine 【June】Summer Purification Rites/each shrine 【July】Gion Matsuri/Yasaka Shrine and Kyoto City 【July】Mitarashi Festival/Shimogamo shrine 【August】Kyoto Gozan Okuribi/Kyoto City 【September】Kangetsu-sai (Moon Viewing Festival)/each temple 【October】Jidai Matsuri Festival/Heian Jingu shrine 【November】Autumn leaves special exhibition/Ruriko-in 【December】Daikon radish cooking event/Ryotokuji Date: January 4 every year   A traditional Japanese foot ball game of Kemari, is dedicated at Shimogamo Shrine, which is registered as a World Heritage site. Kemari is a game of kickball played by a team of four to eight players, and was introduced from China about 1,400 years ago. The traditional aristocratic costume of suikan, hakama, and eboshi hat is worn by the players, and their splendid footwork is superb as they pass the ball around without letting it fall to the ground! Paid seats for spectators are also available. Date: Several days around February 3 every year   Setsubun Festival is held to purify evil demons by sprinkling lucky beans to pray for good luck and recovery from bad luck and illness. At temples and shrines, “Tsuina Ceremony” is held to bring in good luck for the New Year, and it is characterized by a wide variety of events. For example, the ‘Tsuina Ceremony’ at Yoshida Shrine is a story of rampaging ogres, which are driven out by officials wearing golden four-eyed masks. Rozanji Temple is famous for its “Oni-odori”, in which red, blue and black demons appear. Mibu Kyogen, a silent drama without dialogue performed at Mibudera Temple, is also a must-see! Date: February 8 and December 8 every year   Many Japanese people are unaware of the event called Hari-kuyo” which is to give thanks for needles. Konjac is offered on the altar, and needles are inserted into the Konjac to express gratitude for the needles and to pray for the improvement of skills and family happiness. The ceremony is held twice a year at Horinji Temple, once in December to close out the year and once in February when the sewing industry is busy tailoring wedding kimonos and the work settles down.   Konjac: Also known as Konnyaku or Devil’s tongue, is a traditional Japanese food and is made from Konjac. Konjac is mainly grown in China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and southeast Asian countries. It’s kind of rubbery but very healthy. Date: One month from March 1 each year   Hokyoji Temple is known as the “temple of dolls”. The temple has a large collection of prestigious dolls, including dolls that were treasured by the emperor. At the doll exhibition held in spring, Hina-ningyo(Special doll wearing a traditional Japanese costume for Doll’s festival) and other Kyoto dolls are displayed.   *The dolls in this photo may not always be displayed. Thank you for your understanding. Date: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from late February to late March every year   Hinamatsuri(Doll Festival) is an event to wish for the healthy growth of girls, and it is customary to display hina-ningyo in households with girls. Hirano-no-ie Waza Eieitou is a renovated traditional wooden house built in 1926 as a residence and studio of a Japanese-style painter. During Hinamatsuri, various dolls from the Edo period to the present day from the collection are displayed in the tatami room of the sukiya-style building. Admission charged. Date: April 1-30 every year   The Miyako Odori is a traditional Kyoto dance performance that began in 1872. It is a rare opportunity to see the gorgeous dances of geiko and maiko. On the stage, about 60 geiko and maiko dressed in costumes made by masters of Kyoto yuzen and Nishijin brocade dance on stage amid live shamisen, flutes, drums, and other musical instruments against a backdrop of nearby historic sites and historic monuments. The sight of all the geiko and maiko dancing together in the finale is a sight to behold! Enjoy the world of elegance and splendor. Admission charged Date: May 3 every year   The Yabusame (horseback archery) ritual is a precursor to the 1,500-year-old Aoi Matsuri, which is held on May 4. Archers dressed in traditional court nobles’ costumes or hunting costumes ride horses and shoot arrows at three targets made of cedar planks set up in a 500-meter-long stable. From the spectator seats (advance reservations required), visitors can see the powerful performance right in front of their eyes. Date: June 30 every year   Summer purification rites is a traditional event held on June 30, the turn of the year, at shrines all over Japan. The “Chinowa” is held to purge away the impurities of the first half of the year and to pray for good health in the second half of the year. There is a manner of going through, and this manner differs from shrine to shrine. In Kyoto City, the festival is held at Kamigamo Shrine, Heian Shrine, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Matsuo Taisha Shrine, Yasaka Shrine, and other shrines. Date: July 1-31 every year   One of the three major festivals in Kyoto, it is a summer tradition!   Check out the article below for more information ＜Kyoto＞Gion Matsuri (July, 2023)｜Highlights of Japan’s Greatest Festival Date: 10 days in late July every year   The Mitarashi Festival, also known as “Ashitsuke Shinji”, is an event in which people take a knee-deep dip in the Mitarashi Pond on the grounds of Shimogamo Shrine to purify themselves of any impurities and pray for good health. It is one of the most popular summer festivals in Kyoto and attracts many visitors. People hold candles in their hands and pray at the Mitarashi Shrine enshrined in the Mitarashi Pond. On the approach to the shrine, various food stalls are set up, including the Mitarashi-dango(dumplings covered with a sweet soy sauce glaze), a Japanese confectionery that originated at Shimogamo Shrine. It is a scene typical of Japanese summer festivals. Date: August 16 every year   Kyoto Gozan Okuribi is a traditional summer event in Kyoto. It is an event to return the spirits of ancestors who were welcomed during the Bon festival to the underworld. The fire is lit on the fire beds located in the middle of five mountains in Kyoto, and different characters and shapes appear on each fire. For information on lighting times and viewing locations, please refer to the website below. KYOTO CITY OFFICIAL TRAVEL GUIDE Date: Mid-September to early October every year   A Shinto ritual held in conjunction with the Harvest moon (mid-September to early October according to the modern calendar), when the moon is considered to be the most beautiful throughout the year. At each temple and shrine, there are moon-viewing parties to admire the moon, offerings of powdered green tea, and orchestral performances. Particularly famous is the “Evening of the Moon” at Daikakuji Temple, one of the three best places in Japan to view the moon. It is a great place to experience Japanese culture!   Check out the article below for more information The “Kangetsu no Yube” at Daikakuji Temple in Kyoto is impressive! 6 Kangetsusai in Kyoto   Date: October 22 every year   The Jidai Matsuri Festival, one of the three major festivals in Kyoto, is a magnificent festival that has been called a “moving historical genre picture scroll”, and a glance at the Jidai Matsuri provides an understanding of Kyoto’s history and culture. The 2,000-member, 2-kilometer-long procession, which begins with the Meiji Restoration period and continues through eight different eras, parades around Heian Shrine wearing costumes and ritual implements that symbolize each era. The costumes and ritual implements are all created based on rigorous period research, which is quite astonishing! This event is the culmination of Kyoto’s world-class traditional craftsmanship. Date: Early October to early December every year   November is the most visited season of the year when Kyoto is decorated with beautiful autumn leaves. This is the period when temples and shrines throughout Kyoto offer valuable experiences, such as special openings of cultural properties that are normally closed to the public, and special viewing of gardens and buildings. Ruriko-in, in particular, is very famous for its reflections of autumn leaves on the desk! Advance reservations are required for viewing.   Check out the article below for more information 〈2022〉Best 12 Places to See Autumn Leaves in Japan (Kyoto, Osaka and More)! Date; December 9 and 10 every year   Daikon-taki(Daikon radish cooking event) is a winter tradition in Kyoto to pray for good health by eating hot daikon radish during the cold season. At Ryotokuji, known as ” Daikon radish cooking temple”, 1,000 daikon radishes produced in Kameoka, Kyoto, are cooked in a large pot and served to visitors. It is believed that eating this roasted daikon will prevent one from getting a midwinter cold, and about 3,000 people visit the temple. Just by arranging the events of the year in Kyoto in this way, we can see that the Japanese people respect and appreciate the things around them, such as nature, daily tools, and food. I hope you could catch a glimpse of such Japanese people. I hope you too will participate in these events and enjoy your trip to learn more about Japan!

“CHIIKAWA×HANKYU” Let’s enjoy Kansai with Chiikawa and friends!

Hankyu Railway will operate decorated trains in collaboration with the popular character “Chiikawa” from August 4, 2023 (Friday) to March 28, 2024 (Thursday). “Chiikawago-go” train will run on the Kobe Line, Hachiware-go” train on the Takarazuka Line, and “Usagi-go” train on the Kyoto Line, and an oversized stuffed toy will accompany the train in the crew’s compartment. A special collaboration headmark will be displayed on the front of the train. The inside of the train will also be decorated with illustrations from the collaboration, and specially designed posters and stickers will also be displayed in the trains. In addition, Hankyu Bus will be running a wrapped bus, and photo spots will appear at Itami, Minoh, and Arashiyama stations. In addition, Hankyu Ekichika and Ekichika SHOP will sell collaboration foods only available at the stores. Don’t miss out on these cute gourmet foods only available here.  Chiikawa” is a Twitter-based manga by illustrator Nagano. The daily stories of the always hardworking Chiikawa and her friends Hachiware, Usagi, and other unique characters are popular. “Maroon-no-yoroi-san” will appear as a limited collaboration character. “Maroon-no-yoroi-san” is a character who loves Hankyu Railways and gently watches over your outings along the Hankyu line. Hankyu Railways has collaborated with various characters in the past. When you visit Kansai in the future, be sure to check out the collaboration trains.   Check here for more information! CHIIKAWA × HANKYU

The “Kangetsu no Yube” at Daikakuji Temple in Kyoto is impressive!　　　6 Kangetsusai in Kyoto

Did you know that in Japan, there is a culture of “Otsukimi” (moon viewing) during the season when the moon is considered the most beautiful of the year? Kangetsusai, a moon-viewing event held at temples and shrines, is a rare opportunity for visitors to Japan to experience this quaint culture. This article introduces the charms of the Kangetsusai!   -INDEX- What is Kangetsusai? “Kangetsu no Yube” at Daikakuji Temple, Kyoto Highlights of Daikakuji Temple’s “Kangetsu no Yube” (1)Matcha green powdered tea at Godaido Kangetsu Seating (2)The famous moon viewed from the top of a boat, just like an aristocrat (3)The moon reflected on quiet water (4)Full moon puja and Dharma talk on the stage above the pond Do I need to make a reservation for Daikakuji Temple’s “Kangetsu no Yube”? Directions to Daikakuji Temple 5 temples and shrines in Kyoto that hold Kangetsusai Kangetsu Tea Ceremony at Kodaiji Temple Gionsha Kangetsu Festival at Yasaka Shrine Kamo Kangetsusai at Kamigamo Shrine Meigetsu Kangensai at Shimogamo Shrine Meigetsusai at Hirano Shrine Kangetsusai is a Shinto ritual held on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival (mid-September to early October according to the modern calendar; September 29, 2023). It is believed to have been introduced from China during the Heian period (794-1185), and was a popular pastime among the aristocracy, during which people would enjoy reciting poems and playing the strings while gazing at the moon during the most beautiful time of the year. The “moon” is also a name that appears in the four-character idiom “kacho-fu-getsu,” which is a Japanese term that describes beautiful scenes in the natural world. The beauty of the moon on an autumn day, when a pleasant breeze blows and the sound of insects can be heard, has a mysterious charm that captivates the hearts of modern Japanese people. Such Kangetsusai are held at temples and shrines in Kyoto and elsewhere. They vary in scale, but one of the most spectacular and highly recommended for visitors to Japan is the “Kangetsu no Yube” at Daikakuji Temple in Kyoto. Daikakuji Temple, with a history of over 1,200 years, is located in the Arashiyama/Sagano area in a rich natural setting. The Osawa-no-ike Pond on the temple grounds is the oldest man-made pond in Japan, with a circumference of approximately 1 km, and is one of the three best places in Japan to view the moon. The “Kangetsu no Yube” is held at Osawa Pond, where visitors can experience the courtly games of the Heian period. Because the “Kangetsu no Yube” is held only once a year for a limited period of three days, there are actually many Japanese who have never been to this event. If you apply in advance, you can first enjoy matcha green tea at the Kangetsudai in Godaido Hall, located by Osawa-no-ike Pond. Kangetsudai is like a balcony of a hall set aside for otsukimi. One can imagine how special tsukimizi has been since ancient times. The viewing platform is slightly higher than Osawa-no-ike Pond, so you can see the moon and the entire Osawa-no-ike Pond. The view is one of the most impressive! Those who have applied in advance can enjoy matcha green tea and then take a cruise around Osawa-no-ike Pond on a ryutogekishu boat, which is a traditional Chinese boat. The best way to enjoy the “Kangetsu no Yube” is to gaze at the moon while swaying on the boat. The sound of the water on the quiet pond is the only sound, and the colors of the sky and the light of the moon change from moment to moment. The mystery of nature shocks the heart. The Osawa-no-ike Pond and the surrounding mountains and trees are in perfect harmony with each other, as if they were calculatedly placed to enhance the moon. The sky just after sunset is also very beautiful! The moon in the sky is not the only beautiful thing. Get off the boat and look at Osawa-no-ike Pond from the edge of the pond. The surface of the water is a mirror, and you can catch the reflection of the moon. The moon reflected on the surface of the water shimmers when the wind blows, or streaks of light appear on the surface of the water depending on the weather. The indirect beauty created by nature also stirs the senses of Japanese people. At night, an altar is set up on the pond stage above Osawa-no-ike Pond and a full moon puja is held. Dumplings, vegetables such as potatoes and beans, and flowers are offered, and monks from one mountain attend the puja to invite “Tsuki-ten” and pray for a good harvest of crops and people’s happiness. After the puja, there is a Dharma talk Visitors may enter the temple grounds without a reservation by paying the entrance fee (limited admission may be available). Matcha green tea at Godaido Kangetsu-seki and a tour of Osawa-no-ike Pond on a Ryutogekishu Boat are included in the package and are only available to those who apply for the “Special Ticket (5,000 yen)” in advance. Applications can be made through the Daikakuji website, and in case of cancellations, tickets will be sold on the day of the event. Click here for the official website of Daikakuji Temple *Applications for 2023 are no longer accepted.   Even if you do not get on a boat, you can still enjoy the atmosphere of the event. Please come and experience this once-a-year event that has continued in Japan since ancient times! If you go to the festival, it may get cold after dark, so it is recommended to bring a jacket. Daikakuji Temple is located in the Arashiyama/Sagano area. It is a bit far from the station, so it is convenient to take a bus from the nearest station.   【From Arashiyama Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line】 From the bus stop in front of the station, take the Kyoto City Bus or Kyoto Bus and get off at the “Daikakuji” stop (about 12 minutes).   【From Arashiyama Station on the Randen Line】 From the “Arashiyama Tenryuji-mae” stop, take Kyoto City Bus or Kyoto Bus and get off at the “Daikakuji” stop (about 9 to 11 minutes).   【From JR Saga-Arashiyama Station】 From the “Saga-Arashiyama Eki-mae” stop, take the Kyoto City Bus and get off at the “Daikakuji” stop (approx. 6 minutes).   【From Karasuma Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line (Shijo Subway Station)】 From the “Shijo-Karasuma” stop, take the Kyoto City Bus and get off at the “Daikakuji” stop (46 minutes).   【From Saiin Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line (Randen Saiin Station)】 From the “Nishioji-Shijo” stop, take the Kyoto City Bus and get off at the “Daikakuji” stop (about 33 minutes).   【From JR Kyoto Station】 From the “Kyoto Ekimae” stop, take the Kyoto City Bus and get off at the “Daikakuji” stop (about 54 minutes). There are other temples and shrines in Kyoto that hold Kangetsusai. Each temple or shrine offers different events, such as dedication of Gagaku (traditional Japanese court music) that can be viewed by the general public, and matcha (powdered green tea) ceremonies, so please check the website of each temple or shrine for details. Friday-Sunday, September 8-30, 2023, 17:00-17:30 reception 8,000 yen (including thin tea ceremony, guided tour of the temple, and dim sum) *Reservations required by 16:00 the day before. Friday, September 29, 2023, 19:00 – 21:00 approx. Dedication of the recitation of the dedication poem and the dedication of the bugaku dance: 19:00- (free of charge for participation and observation) September 29, 2023 (Fri.) 17:00- Kagura (Shinto music and dance) and Japanese drum performances, etc. [Tsukimi Dango Distribution] 300 people on a first-come, first-served basis (numbered tickets will be distributed from 16:00) Friday, September 29, 2023, 17:30 – 21:00 approx. Free of charge (1,000 yen for tea ceremony) [Dedication of Koto, Shakuhachi, Gagaku, and Heian aristocratic dances] from around 19:00 (free admission) Friday, September 29, 2023 from 18:30 Free (500 yen for matcha tea ceremony) If you are planning to visit Japan in the fall, why not experience the elegant Japanese culture on a trip to Kyoto?

9 Sweets in Arashiyama, Kyoto, from Easy Eats to Stylish Cafes

Kyoto Arashiyama is a popular tourist spot that you must visit when you come to Kyoto. You can walk around many temples, shrines, and Buddhist temples, as well as natural spots such as Togetsukyo Bridge and bamboo grove paths. If you plan to spend a day sightseeing in Arashiyama, you should not miss the delicious sweets. Here are our picks for the BEST 9 Arashiyama sweets.   -INDEX- １．HATOYA RYOYOUSHA  ２．Arashiyama Kotoimo honpo ３．ARINCO ４．Bread, Espresso & ５．MALEBRANCHE ６．Arashiyama Misora ７．MAMEMONO & TAIYAKI ８．KUMONOCHA CAFE ARASHIYAMA SHOP ９．kyocafe chacha Arashiyama This Japanese tea stand mainly offers teas and matcha from Kyoto Prefecture. The owner is so particular about tea that he visits tea growers every year to harvest tea. The store has only a counter, and one of the store’s attractions is that matcha is prepared and served right in front of customers. Matcha latte, matcha ice cream, matcha pudding, and other popular menu items are available for matcha fans not to be missed. This Japanese sweets shop is located at the entrance to the bamboo grove path. In Arashiyama, it is popular to eat a little bit of various sweets. Particularly popular at the store is the “Aburi Mitarashi” (roasted mochi dumpling). These dumplings are larger in size and have a chunky, stretchy texture compared to typical Mitarashi dumplings. It is irresistible to eat them intertwined with the mitarashi bean paste that is poured generously into the container.   Seasonal menus are also available, with gourmet sweet potato dishes recommended during the sweet potato season. These gourmet items include fried sweet potatoes with sweet honey, thin, crispy, and savory sweet potato chips, and other delicacies that allow you to taste the true flavor of sweet potatoes. Who doesn’t like soft and sweet roll cakes? ARINCO specializes in roll cakes. We are proud of our roll cakes, which are moist and fluffy and filled with fresh cream. Another popular menu item is the “ARIPA,” a cute takeout parfait topped with the store’s special soft-serve ice cream and seasonal sauces that is too cute to eat.   The Kyo Roll Matcha Zukushi, sold exclusively at the main store in Arashiyama, Kyoto, is a must-try item. Both the dough and cream use Kyoto-produced Uji matcha green tea, which is known for its mild flavor, in this matcha-full roll cake. The cream is wrapped with Tanba dainagon and Kyoto-grown Tanba chestnut nectar accented with candied chestnuts. The Fukuda Art Museum opened in October 2019 in Arashiyama as a new center for Japanese culture. The architecture is based on a traditional Kyoto machiya, and the modern Japanese exterior design blends in with the surrounding nature without any sense of incongruity. The “Bread, Espresso & Fukuda Art Museum” is located within the museum. The café was created to provide the most beautiful view of the Wataratsuki Bridge, the symbol of Arashiyama. The museum café is open only to visitors of the Fukuda Art Museum, so you can spend a relaxing time without getting caught up in the crowds. After enjoying the art, enjoy a luxurious tea time while admiring the beautiful Arashiyama scenery.   As the name suggests, the restaurant is popular for its delicious paninis and coffee made with special bread, but the desserts are actually very authentic as well. Popular items include parfaits, coffee jelly sundaes, and cheesecakes that are made with a variety of seasonal ingredients. We also recommend “Bread, Espresso & Arashiyama Garden,” located a 3-minute walk from Fukuda Art Museum. Here you can enjoy sweets, light meals, and aromatic coffee in a renovated old private house. The popular fruit sandwiches feature milky cream and seasonally changing fruit. Enjoy seasonal ingredients such as strawberries in spring and two kinds of melons in summer. Kyoto’s famous confectionery store “MALEBRANCHE” brings you western-style confections that resonate with the senses, utilizing Kyoto’s seasonal aesthetic sensibilities. If you visit the store, be sure to try the “Chachabo” matcha ice cream eclair, a takeout sweet available only at the Arashiyama store. The rich matcha soft serve, made with plenty of Uji matcha green tea, goes well with the savory cookie eclair.   For souvenirs, we recommend “Cha no Ka,” a confection using rich matcha green tea that is representative of MALEBRANCHE and can only be purchased in Kyoto. This confectionary consists of a melt-in-your-mouth dark tea langue de chat sandwiched between white chocolate with a rich milkiness. The packaging, exclusive to the Arashiyama store, is very cute. Arashiyama Misora’s takeout sweets “Drinking Dessert Drink” are popular as a “new type of dessert” because of their colorful and cute appearance. Despite the name “drink,” the can is filled with a variety of textures, making it a great drink. You can enjoy a different menu each season.   In summer, “shaved ice to drink” is recommended. Yogurt soy milk, frozen fruit, and ice are mixed into a cool drink that cools you down from the inside out. Mamemono & Taiyaki is located on the first floor of the Arashiyama Shoryuen complex across from Randen Arashiyama Station. Shoryuen is a complex where Kyoto’s representative long-established stores are gathered together to offer gourmet lunches, cafes, and traditional craft stores.   They insist on using local ingredients: red bean paste made from azuki beans, soy milk squeezed from soybeans, and coffee beans, all of which are purchased from a long-established shop in Kyoto. There are three types of taiyaki: tsubu-an, custard, and an-butter. We recommend the an-butter, which has a shelf life of only one minute before the butter melts. Enjoy the salty-sweet flavor of the butter in the sweet red bean paste. This is the Arashiyama store of the popular Kyoto brand “Kumono-cha”. The interior of the store was thoughtfully designed to match Arashiyama, using bamboo native to Kyoto, with “green” as the theme color, white for clouds, and black for Arashiyama. In particular, the second floor uses bamboo to recreate the “Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Road”. Recommended sweets are the Kumonobamboo Mousse Set and the Kumono Set. The Kumonobamboo Mousse Set includes Kumono-Bamboo Mousse, Dango, and Kumono-Matcha Latte. The matcha-flavored bamboo mousse cake is a whole food sweet with brown sugar jelly on the surface. The cake is smooth to the touch and has a smooth texture. The sticky sesame dumplings are topped with matcha cream, and the savory sesame flavor and bittersweet matcha go very well together.   The Kumono Set includes Kumono Mousse and Kumono Matcha Latte. The matcha latte is made from carefully selected Uji matcha and has a luxurious taste of mildly bitter matcha and rich special milk. The fluffy and cute cloud-shaped latte artwork (HOT only) is Insta-worthy. Kumonomousse is a cloud-shaped sweet that looks cute from any angle. Inside is mousse made with matcha green tea and azuki beans. This is a “Kyo Waffle” store that not only looks cute, but is of course particular about the taste and volume when eaten, and each waffle is handmade one by one. We are particular about every single piece of tableware and interior design so that you can enjoy not only eating the sweets but also spending time there.   The chocolate-dipped waffles are also available for takeout, so it is wonderful to take out and take pictures with the Arashiyama scenery. There are various kinds of stores from take-out sweets to cafes. Enjoying delicious sweets along with sightseeing spots will surely make your sightseeing in Arashiyama even more enjoyable. It is also fun to take pictures of the cute looking sweets and the scenery of Arashiyama. We hope you will visit the stores we have introduced.

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